‘Do your part’: Five safe driving tips for Memorial Day weekend from NSC

Itasca, IL — The National Safety Council is urging everyone to practice defensive driving during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, estimating that 415 people may die on the roads.

“Many people choose to travel by car, which has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per miles traveled,” said Mark Chung, vice president, roadway practice area, at NSC. “As family and friends gather for the holiday, we not only call on everyone to spend time together safely during the ongoing pandemic, we also ask everyone to do your part to ensure you and your loved ones get to your destinations safely.”

NSC offers five tips for safe road travel:
Prepare before you go. Before hitting the road, make sure your vehicle is safe to drive. Vehicle owners should check their oil, make sure their tires are properly inflated, and check for and repair open recalls. Visit ChecktoProtect.org to see if your vehicle has an open recall and get it repaired for free.
Drive distraction-free. Thousands of people have died in crashes involving cellphone use. Put your phone away and #JustDrive.
Slow down. Speeding is a factor in more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities. Don’t exceed the posted speed limit, and pay attention to people who are walking and biking.
Designate a sober driver. Alcohol is only one cause of impaired driving. Drugs, including opioids, marijuana and some over-the-counter medicines, can impair by causing drowsiness, altering visual functions, and affecting mental judgment and motor skills. Arrange for alternate transportation if you plan to drink.
Buckle up. Seat belts are estimated to have saved 374,276 lives, so buckle up. Also, make sure you have the appropriate child car seats and that they’re installed correctly.