Stay Focused on Driving Safety During Labor Day

Many Kentuckians look forward to the long Labor Day weekend to have cookouts and spend time with friends and loved ones. With gas prices lower in Kentucky this year, more people will be travelling during the holiday. But the holiday weekend is an especially dangerous time with more traffic on the highways and more drunk drivers.

The National Safety Council estimates that nearly 400 people will lose their lives in traffic accidents and more than 47,000 will be seriously injured during the Labor Day holiday. The holiday extends from 6 p.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. Monday.

Last year in Kentucky, 13 people died in traffic accidents during Labor weekend in 2014. Many of those accidents could have been prevented if the drivers had remained alert, driven defensively and not gotten behind the wheel while intoxicated.

Alcohol Related Accidents During Labor Day

Many people consume alcohol as part of their Labor Day celebrations. That leads to an increase in alcohol-related accidents each year. If you partake of alcoholic beverage, it’s important to designate a sober driver to get you and your family home safely.

Kentucky State Police said there were six alcohol-related traffic deaths during Labor Day weekend last year, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.  The police arrested 55 people for drunk driving last Labor Day and will be out in force with checkpoints to identify and remove drunk drivers before they cause accidents.

We applaud the efforts of law enforcement agencies to arrest drunk drivers because, as personal injury attorneys, we have seen firsthand families devastated by the loss of loved ones killed in alcohol-related accidents. Drunk drivers are a menace on the road and are responsible for many preventable accidents.

Importance of Simple Safety Precautions to Avoid Accidents

The extra holiday traffic makes it just that much more important to take precautions and drive defensively. Here are some tips to help you arrive and return safely.

• Make sure your vehicle is ready for a long distance trip if you plan to travel during the holiday. Have your wipers, lights, radiator and cooling system checked to make sure all are in good working order.
• Always wear a seat belt. Buckling up reduces the risk of injuries in an accident by 45 percent, according to the NSC. We know you don’t want to spend your Labor Day weekend in the emergency room.
• Leave early for your Labor Day destination. Get a jump on the weekend and give yourself plenty of time so you won’t feel hurried or be tempted to speed to make up time.
• Map your route if it’s unfamiliar. Know the exit by name and number so you can anticipate it and won’t have to make unexpected lane change maneuvers to get to an exit. Sudden lane shifts can cause accidents
• Don’t move quickly in front of a tractor trailer. Large trucks are heavier and take more distance to stop, so cutting quickly in front of a large truck could cause a rear-end collision.
• Know your limits. Don’t drive if you are exhausted or drowsy. Take regular breaks every two hours if you are going a long distance.
• Be alert for any drivers who are driving erratically. Steer clear of them and alert the police of their location

If you are injured in a car accident caused by another driver in Kentucky, talk to a Lexington car accident attorney about your legal rights. It’s important to understand your legal options so you can make the best decision for your family’s future. The personal injury attorneys at Frank Jenkins Law Office are here to assist families harmed by the negligence of other drivers.