According to the National Safety Council (NSC), over each Labor Day Holiday Period, 400 Americans, on average, are involved in fatal car accidents and an additional 49,000 people experience non-fatal medically consulted injuries (injuries serious enough to seek medical care). This Labor Day, the NSC estimates that 457 people may die on U.S. roads and an additional 51,900 people will suffer nonfatal medically consulted injuries.
If you or a loved one is seriously injured or killed in a Labor Day weekend accident caused by a negligent driver; contact an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. The injury attorney will evaluate your accident and injuries and discuss your legal rights. Should you decide to work together, they will fight for a full and fair settlement on your behalf.
Labor Day Holiday Period
Beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, the Labor Day holiday period is always a 3.25-day weekend consisting of Friday evening, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. In 2024, the Labor Day weekend extends from 6 p.m. Friday, August 30, to 11:59 p.m. Monday, September 2.
Factors that Increase Traffic Deaths on Labor Day Weekend
One of the reasons that Labor Day and other holidays create an increased risk for deadly car crashes is the increased consumption of alcohol that comes with family get-togethers and celebrations. There are simply more people on the road during holidays who have consumed alcohol. Other factors include more cars on roadways as people drive for long-weekend getaways before the start of the school year or to celebrate the end of summer.
Click here for Labor Day weekend driving safety tips.
Impaired Driving
The biggest factor that contributes to increased traffic fatalities on Labor Day weekend is a higher incidence of impaired driving.
In 2022, alcohol-impaired fatalities (involving blood-alcohol content of 0.08 g/dL or higher) represented 32 percent of total traffic fatalities. During the 2022 Labor Day period, 39 percent of fatalities involved a drunk driver – a seven percent increase over the annual average.
Seat Belts
Seat belts make a big difference in Labor Day accident fatalities.
Based on the projected number of vehicle occupants who will wear seat belts, the NSC estimates that 181 lives will be saved this Labor Day holiday period. On top of this, if everyone wore a seat belt another 106 lives could be saved.
What Are Labor Day Weekend Traffic Fatalities Compared to Other Holidays?
Generally, holiday and holiday weekends see an increase in car accident fatalities for various reasons. The holiday with the most deaths changes from year to year depending on the cost of gas and other factors but Labor Day is at or near the top of the list for danger in terms of the number of people killed in car and truck accidents each year.
The NSC compares the Labor Day Weekend holiday to other holiday periods by using an average fatality per day rate. Overall, the Labor Day holiday and other late spring/summer holidays (Memorial Day and Independence Day) have higher average fatality rates per day compared to the fall and winter holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day).
Seek the Help of a Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
