Thanksgiving Weekend Driving

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brandon Fountain
  • 17th Training Wing Safety
GOODFELLOW AFB, Texas --  The National Highway Safety Council estimates 555 deaths. This is over the entire Thanksgiving Day weekend.

What You Need to Know:
The terms used above were chosen carefully to reflect the level of accuracy of the quantities involved. Estimate is used because the fatality figures are calculated approximately.

According to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
more than 25,000 passenger vehicle occupants (drivers and passengers) died in motor
vehicle traffic crashes in 2008 across the nation, and just over half, 12,865, were not wearing seat belts. Nationally, during the Thanksgiving holiday period in 2008, which ran from 6 p.m., Nov. 26, to 5:59 a.m., Dec. 1, 389 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes including 156 from crashes occurring during daylight hours (6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.) and 231 from crashes during nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.). Two people died in crashes during unrecorded time periods.

* 37 percent of drivers surveyed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration admitted to falling asleep at the wheel at some point in their driving career.
* 8 percent admitted doing so in the past six months
* 60 percent admitted falling asleep while driving on an interstate- type highway with posted speeds of 55 MPH or higher.

No one wants to stop anyone from visiting and spending time with family and friends. But, while out there be cognizant that the statistics from years will not lie: Thanksgiving weekend is statistically dangerous nation-wide. From the folks out there watching football and drinking some beer, wine-sipping all day, or individuals that are trying to pack the most in over a short period of time; the dangers are present.

So to help ensure that our beloved servicemembers and their families have the best possible circumstances, let's recall some basic driving steps:

· If you've had a full day, get rest before leaving.
· Under NO circumstances drink and drive.
· Drive defensively and be aware of your surroundings.
· Don't surpass the speed limit.
· If conditions exist that may pose a threat, adjust and slow down.
· At all times, wear your seatbelt.

(Source of information: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/)