Blog

Labor Day in South Florida: Car Accident Statistics

Labor Day Weekend marks the end of summer and for many is the last get together for fun, sun, and cook outs until they see each other in November.  AAA Travel (ORLANDO, Fla., (August 20, 2013) newsroom.aaa.com) projects 34.1 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the upcoming Labor Day holiday.

The National Safety Council released its estimates of fatalities from traffic crashes for this Labor Day weekend, which begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2. The Council estimates that the 2013 Holiday weekend will bring 394 traffic fatalities and additional 42,200 medically consulted injuries from traffic collisions.

An estimation of past fatalities is shown in the table below.

Year	Estimate	90% Confidence Interval	Actual
2006	533	477-595	487
6007	490	440-544	508
2008	439	384-501	473
2009	404	356-457	351
2010	368	320-422	390
2011	400	337-472	373

By buckling up, The Council estimates that 143 lives may be saved this holiday, and an additional 99 lives could be saved if all wore seat belts. “NSC issues fatality estimates for major holiday periods to draw attention to the need for drivers to exercise safe driving practices, especially when a significant number of drivers are expected to be on our nation’s roads,” said Janet Froetscher, NSC president and CEO.

NSC recommends these tips to drivers to ensure the safety of everyone on the roads:

• Establish and enforce a distraction-free zone, especially in cars equipped with electronic devices including cell phones, global positioning systems and other in-vehicle technology
• Make sure all passengers are buckled up and children are in safety seats appropriate for their age and size
• Allow plenty of travel time to avoid frustration and diminish the impulse to speed
• Drive defensively and exercise caution, especially during inclement weather
• Designate a non-drinking driver or plan for alternative transportation, such as a taxi

Following these safety tips and being prepared keeps you, your family, and those around you safe, injury free, and alive.The Injury Lawyers at Canter Law want to wish you a happy and safe Labor Day holiday and remember that we’ve been representing South Florida residents for 17 years!