The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Buckling up Could Save Your Giblets” campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants over the holiday weekend. Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year, which unfortunately, makes it one of the most dangerous holidays. Buckling up this holiday weekend, and all year round, is the absolute best way to protect one’s self and loved ones during the holidays. In the event of a crash, restrained passengers are more likely to stay safe and alive than unbuckled occupants.
Thanksgiving Traffic Crash Statistics
- In 2011, 249 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in crashes over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. (Wednesday, November 23 to Monday, November 28)
- Fifty percent of those victims were not wearing seat belts.
- Passenger vehicle occupants were less likely to wear seat belts at night.
- 57 percent of occupants killed in nighttime crashes weren’t wearing their seatbelts.
- Only 40 percent of people killed in daytime crashes were unrestrained.