This year, an estimated 3 million Texans will take to the roadways during the Memorial Day weekend. According to the Times Record News, this will represent a five percent increase in holiday travel from last year, for people who are traveling 50 miles or more away from home. This year, Memorial Day weekend will run from Thursday, May 21 though Monday, May 25. With an increase in travelers taking to the roads, safe-distraction-free driving needs to be a top priority for motorists across the state.
Click It or Ticket
In addition to a commitment to distraction-free driving, motorists should also remember to buckle up, for every trip. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will be participating in the annual seat belt safety campaign, “Click It or Ticket,” this month. The TxDOT will also be publicizing their 14th annual statewide public safety campaign from May 18 through the May 31. In addition to increased awareness, public safety officials will also be stepping up enforcement efforts to keep roadways safe.
Seat Belt Usage Facts
- In 2013, there were 9,580 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes across the U.S.
- In 2012, seat belts saved an estimated 12,174 lives.
- From 2008 to 2012, seat belts saved nearly 63,000 lives.
- In 2013, nearly half of all motor vehicle occupants who died in crashes were unrestrained.
- Among young adults, between the ages of 18 and 34 years old, killed in crashes, 61 percent were completely unrestrained, the highest percentage of all age groups.
Holiday Weekend DUI Crash Prevention
As with many holiday weekends, the Memorial Day weekend may also involve a spike in drunk driving related car accidents. The NHTSA wants to remind motorists that buzzed driving is drunk driving. Even one drink can be one drink too many, so always designate a driver if you plan on celebrating the holiday weekend with alcohol.
After a Car Accident
If you or somebody you love has been injured in a car accident this Memorial Day weekend, or anytime of the year, contact the skilled team at the Altman Legal Group at 940-761-4000 for an immediate free consultation. Whether you were injured by a distracted or an impaired driver, the sooner you speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer, the better.
The team at the Altman Legal Group wishes everybody a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend.