Fort Huachuca, Arizona - Known as The 100 Deadliest Days for teen drivers, the stretch between Memorial Day and Labor Day can be extremely dangerous for drivers of all ages. Memorial Day weekend is typically considered the start of summer, where people all over the United States will be celebrating with cookouts, barbecues, parties and plenty of alcohol.
Long weekend brings more than bad traffic
When most people think of hitting the road to travel over a long weekend, they think of the dreaded traffic. Travelers can certainly expect to see a spike in traffic, with some trips expected to take 50 to 100 percent longer than average. While the frustration of traffic can be very real, not all Memorial Day statistics are so innocent.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that an average of 400 people are killed in traffic accidents and similar incidents during Memorial Day weekend. Typically, drivers can expect a 13 percent increase in traffic fatalities on this holiday weekend compared to an average weekend.
With this year anticipated to be the busiest for travel in the last decade or so, the risk of getting in a car accident is even higher. The National Safety Council estimates that there could be as many as 439 deaths and over 50,000 injuries caused by motor vehicle collisions this Memorial Day weekend. 2017 is projected to post the deadliest numbers since the 2009 Memorial Day Holiday.
Drink responsibly--it's not just a slogan.
As families and friends gather together to enjoy Memorial Day, the food and booze can often flow freely. According to the NHTSA, 44 percent of traffic fatalities over Memorial Day weekend involve alcohol. That's a staggering number.
Teen drinking can also play another major factor in the number of drunk driving accidents. With police out in full force, there will likely be a spike in DUI or alcohol-related arrests this holiday weekend as well.
You can still have plenty of fun over Memorial Day weekend--you just want to make sure you are doing so responsibly.
Here are six simple steps you should remind yourself and your friends to follow:
- Plan ahead. Make sure you have a ride home or have a place to crash ahead of time.
- Use your community's sober ride program. The Fort Huachuca Army Substance Abuse Program's Safe Ride Program helps you make the right choice to call a cab if you've been drinking.
Evelyn's Shuttle (520)-775-2448
Slick's Shuttle (520)-458-1888
Two Tone Taxi (520)-439-8294
Huachuca Shuttle (520)-439-0439
Tucson Yellow Cab (520)-300-0000
AZ World Shuttle (520)-458-3330
- Limit the alcohol. If you're a host, play it smart. Keep your guests safe and limit the amount of drinks you provide.
- Keep the food coming. Whether you're a party host or guest, make sure you have plenty of food and snacks throughout the festivities.
- Report drunk drivers. If you're on the road, leaving a restaurant or bar, or any other place and notice a drunk driver, report it!
- Download NHTSA's SaferRide mobile app available on Google Play for Android devices and Apple's iTunes Store for IOS devices. SaferRide allows users to call a taxi or a predetermined friend, and identifies the user's location so he or she can be picked up.
The statistics don't lie. Memorial Day weekend can be extremely dangerous for travelers hitting the road. Do your part to keep the roads safe and make sure your holiday weekend is memorable for all the right reasons.
This Memorial Day, commit to only driving 100 percent sober, because buzzed driving is drunk driving.
Social Sharing