Memorial Day ushers in the summer season, and most people use the long weekend to spend time with loved ones at parties, cookouts, and other picnics. What you may not know is that Memorial Day weekend is one of the most dangerous for car accidents.
If you’re celebrating this Memorial Day weekend, it’s important to keep safety a priority. As top title=”Hire a West Palm Beach car accident lawyers” href=”https://lawteam.com/car-accident-lawyer-west-palm-beach/”>West Palm Beach car accident lawyers, we want everyone to enjoy their holiday safely.
The Dangers of Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a dangerous time of year because such a large number of people hit the roads. It’s too short of a holiday for most air travel, so people opt for road trips instead.
The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that car accidents peak sharply over the holiday weekend.
For 2016, the NSC is estimating 429 people will be involved in fatal car accidents, with another 50,000 suffering serious injuries.
These estimates are higher than those for previous years, which is mostly due to the nation’s rebounding economy.
Although a recovering economy is usually viewed as a good thing, it also means people have extra cash in their pockets – money they can spend on fuel for weekend vacations and quick getaways.
Memorial Day also sees a jump in car accidents because more young people are on the road during this time. As school winds down and summer vacation begins, teen drivers hit the road.
When they mix alcohol with their celebrations, they increase the risk of being involved in a deadly car accident.
People are also more likely to travel unfamiliar routes when they’re on vacation or embarking on a road trip. This leads to a higher likelihood of getting lost, which can make anyone drive a little more aggressively than usual.
Road rage is actually a big cause of car accidents. Lower your risk of a car accident by keeping your cool behind the wheel.
Lower Your Risk of Injury This Memorial Day
According to AAA, about 38 million people travel the roads over Memorial Day weekend.
If you plan on heading out, there are several things you can do to stay safe. Moreover, it’s not just the roads that pose a risk of injury. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:
Don’t Drink and Drive: This is a big one. CNN Money reports that nearly 500 people were arrested for DUI in 2014 over Memorial Day in Arizona alone.
Swim Safely: If you plan on celebrating at the beach or around the pool, consider appointing a “water watcher” to keep an eye on swimmers and young children around the water.
Have a Safe Barbeque: Grilling is a great way to kick off summer, but it’s risky for a couple different reasons. About 48 million Americans get food poisoning every year.
Undercooked meat is a big culprit. Make sure you cook all food thoroughly and avoid allowing perishable foods, such as potato salad, to remain unrefrigerated for long periods of time.
Burn injuries are also a risk any time you cook over an open flame. Maintain a safe “grill zone” of at least three feet. This means young children should remain at least three feet away from the grill at all times.
Call a West Palm Beach Car Accident Lawyer
The winter is long gone, and it’s time to celebrate vacation season. As you gather this Memorial Day with friends and family, make sure you pay attention to your safety and that of your loved ones.
If you have been injured in an auto accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Don’t hesitate to call a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer to receive a free consultation in your case.