Dear Professional Driver,

It is summertime. The ice and snow we had to deal with this past winter is now a distant memory. We can all breath a huge sigh of relief however, do you know summertime includes the 100 deadliest days for drivers? The National Safety Council (NSC) has designated the time frame between Memorial Day and Labor Day as the “Deadliest Days for Drivers”.

The NSC has statistical data showing Americans, in 2013, having driven more than 780 billion miles during these 100 days. In 2012 there were a total of 9,932 highway deaths during this same time frame. That is equivalent to 99 motorists dying every day in motor vehicle accidents. Of these fatalities, 50% were not wearing a seat belt.

Why is this 100 day period the most deadly for motorists? There are many reasons with the obvious being:

• More drivers on the road

• Drivers taking more risks

• Driving faster

• Drinking & Driving

• Driver Distraction (Texting, cell phone usage)

• More motorcycle traffic

What can drivers do so not to become one of these statistics?

➢ Always wear a seatbelt

➢ Designate a non-drinking driver

➢ Be well rested while behind the wheel

➢ On the road, off the phone

➢ Be cognizant of traffic around you, especially in your blind spots

➢ Obey posted speed limits

Be Safe!

Steve