The National Safety Council warns drivers to wear seat belts and watch out for impaired drivers during the approaching holiday season.
Last photo pexels.com/ Sindre Strom.
According to a report by the National Safety Council (NSC), an estimated 798 people will die in traffic crashes over the upcoming winter break – 371 during driving over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Another 427 people were driving during the New Year holiday, as reported by the National Safety Council (NSC).
According to the NSC, the death rate could have been much worse without seat belts. With the correct use of seat belts, around 500 lives could be saved this festive season, the organization notes.
Wearing a seat belt is estimated to save more than 310 lives for the same amount of time driving. By 2020, 90% of front seat passengers are already using seat belts. If 100% of people in a seat belt were fastened, an estimated 180 more lives could be saved during the holidays.
Drunk driving used to be another road hazard during the holidays. Teams of drivers during the holidays should be acutely aware of vehicles that drift out of their lanes or slow down and accelerate suddenly – often signs of a poor driver.
Generally, alcohol is linked to 38% of Christmas holiday deaths and 36% of New Year holiday deaths.
This year, the Christmas holiday period runs from 6 p.m., Thursday, December 23 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 26, while the New Year’s holiday period extends from 6 p.m. Thursday. Year, December 30, 2021, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, January 2, 2022.
