There’s no question about it. We work hard. That’s probably why when Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894, it was celebrated by 30 of the 44 states.
They may debate just how much we work in newspapers. (I know I like to leave a little early to get outside on a fall Friday.) We may not even ever be sure who came up with the idea of the holiday. All that doesn’t change this one fact: you’ve earned this weekend.
That’s why, as you plan those barbecues, parties and picnics we have a quick piece of advice.
We don’t want to spoil the fun too much. You’ve probably heard your whole life that holidays are dangerous. What you may not know, is that somewhere between all the traffic congestion and the festivities, there’s a real danger.
This holiday is one of the most dangerous days of the year, and it’s not just Labor Day drunk driving,
Here are the three things you should watch out for.
- Road Congestions and Car Crashes
According to AAA, 35 million drivers will be traveling at least 50 miles or more this Labor Day weekend.
Maybe it’s a getaway to the mountains or a sojourn with family and friends. Labor Day is that last summer trip.
The sheer amount of vehicles on the road means there will be more accidents.
We all dread traffic. The truth is, the lost time isn’t even the worst part about traffic.
When you’re frustrated and driving, you’re more likely to drive aggressively. Drivers often try to speed wherever they can to “make up lost time.” Some drivers even start weaving in and out of traffic.
During holiday weekends, police usually ‘step up,’ their enforcement. While these efforts protect the community from Labor Day drunk driving, they have an unintended consequence. Drivers often act differently when they see a police officer. That’s why police cruisers on the roadway can also increase the number of accidents.
The point is, congestion and traffic lead to an increase in accidents.
Stay Calm.
If your child is screaming, stay calm.
If you’ve had to go to the bathroom for the last twenty miles, stay calm.
If you just can’t take another bumper sticker?
It’ll be okay, stay calm!
You’ll get there when you get there!
- Two Words: Learner’s Permit
If you’re the parent of a teenager, you might have wondered if “driving lessons” are a “fall” thing.
It’s not just you! According to AAA, there is a 43% increase in accidents that involve teens during the summer months.
Teens drive considerable more when they are out of school. Long weekends like this are an opportunity for one more long trip. Unfortunately, (the average) teen doesn’t drive very well. During an accident-prone high-traffic event like Labor Day weekend, this can be especially problematic.
You need to drive defensively on Labor Day weekend because you just can’t count on the other drivers on the road to be safe.
- Drunk Driving
You’ve probably been hearing about Labor Day drunk driving your whole life.
We could tell you that the National Safety Council estimates that 150 of the estimated 400 people who die in a Labor Day weekend car accident, were hit by drunk drivers. If you or a loved one was involved in a drunk driving accident and was wrongly injured, contact our Aurora car accident lawyers for expert legal representation.
We could remind you about the state’s ramped up enforcement.
The truth is, there’s just one thing to remember:
If you drink, you do not drive.
We Work Hard All Year
Labor Day is one of my favorite holidays of the year. After a long year work, it’s great to take a moment with our loved ones and think back on all we’ve accomplished.
The diligence, the intuition and perseverance of you and me, the average American worker have been responsible for building great things. If your end-of-summer plans require you to travel, please, stay safe. Those little things like your seat belt, giving yourself plenty of travel time and never ever driving drunk? Those are the things that keep us all safe.
If you do your part to stay safe this labor day weekend, we can all stand just a little taller.
Happy Holiday!
