Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season, especially on the eastern coast of the United States. According to AAA Foundation, more than 37 million people will be hitting the road over the holiday weekend. With so many Americans driving, the National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 407 people will be killed in car accidents and 43,500 more will be injured. Over the last six years, the Memorial Day weekend holiday has seen a large increase in fatal car accidents.
Memorial Day weekend commemorates and remembers those who have died serving their country. During the celebration, drinking alcohol is quite common, impairing a person’s ability to make sound decisions and have strong judgement. Over the three-day span, 161 people are killed in car accidents per day. Of the hundreds killed, almost 40 percent of those deaths are due to drunk driving. Of those passenger vehicle drivers fatally injured in 2008, 60 percent had blood alcohol contents (BAC) at or above 0.08 percent, compared with 20 percent during other hours.
To stay safe during this Memorial Day Weekend, make sure to remember the following:
- Avoid driving during 9:00 pm and 6:00 am, which are the most dangerous time to drive according to the NTSB.
- Wear your seatbelt. The NSC estimates that 140 lives could be saved if people wear their seatbelts during the Memorial Day Weekend.
- Do nor drive over the speed limit.
- Avoid using your cell phone or being distracted by something else. There will be plenty of distracted drivers on the road this weekend so by staying focused on the road you may be able to prevent a car accident from occurring.
- Be sure to get plenty of rest before traveling over the holiday weekend to avoid the risk of a drowsy driving car accident.
Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates Help Clients Injured in Car Accidents
The Memorial Day weekend is one of the most dangerous times of the year to travel on U.S. roadways, especially in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and along the East Coast. If you, a loved one or someone you know has been injured in car accident in Pennsylvania, contact our team of dedicated Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates right now.
We work day and night to ensure that our clients and their families are compensated for their injuries. With offices conveniently located in Philadelphia and Voorhees, New Jersey, we serve clients throughout the region. Call us at 215-567-6600 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.