5 tips for driving safely this Memorial Day weekend

Itasca, IL — The National Safety Council is urging all drivers to be extra cautious this Memorial Day weekend, estimating that 469 people may die on our roads over the holiday period.

“Car travel has the highest fatality rate of any major mode of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile,” warns Mark Chung, executive vice president of roadway practice at NSC. “The reasons for this, particularly over a holiday weekend such as Memorial Day, are impairment from alcohol and/or another substance such as cannabis, as well as distraction and speed.”

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 or biking.
Buckle up. Seat belts save lives, so buckle up. Also, make sure you have the appropriate child car seats and that they’re installed correctly.
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.