The official 2013 Independence Day Holiday period begins tomorrow, Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at six o’clock in the evening and continues through midnight on Sunday, July 7, 2013. The American Automobile Association (AAA) has released its estimated for holiday traffic during this Fourth of July holiday with the following projections:
- Independence Day holiday travelers to total 40.8 million, a decrease of 0.8 percent from the 41.1 million who traveled last year
- Eighty-four percent of travelers (34.4 million) to travel by automobile, a decrease of 0.7 percent from 34.7 million last year
- Holiday air travel expected to increase slightly to 3.07 million from 3.06 million in 2012
- Independence Day holiday travel volume is expected to remain above the 13-year average of 38.9 million for this holiday
- The largest share of travelers (32 percent) will depart on Wednesday, July 3
- Sunday, July 7, is the most popular date of return for holiday trips with 38 percent planning to return that day
- The average traveler is expected to travel a round-trip distance of 613 miles and spend $747.
National Safety Council Issues Warning Against Predicted Traffic Fatalities and Serious Injuries in Car Crashes Over Fourth of July Holiday Travel Period
From their offices in Itasca, Illinois, the National Safety Council has issued its annual warning about the dangers of holiday travel with its fatality estimates for this 2013 Fourth of July holiday period (Wednesday evening to Sunday night).
The NSC warns that its analysis shows that 540 traffic deaths and 57,800 people will be seriously injured in car crashes that will require medical care. What does the NSC suggest?
The National Safety Council urges people to wear seat belts: NSC predicts 106 lives this holiday can be saved if seat belts are being used. Additional suggestions include:
- Refrain from using cell phones while driving
- Put your cell phone on silent or in the glove box to avoid temptation
- Safely pull over and put the vehicle in park to take or make a call
- Make sure every passenger is wearing his or her safety belt before you begin your drive
- Have children sit in the back and use the proper child safety seat or booster seat
- Never leave a child or pet unattended in a vehicle, especially during hot weather
- If you plan to drink, designate a non-drinking driver.
Be careful out there over this Fourth of July Holiday as you drive the local roads and highways — while these statistics may prove accurate, take precautions to make sure you and your loved ones are safe. And if you’re unfortunately involved in an Independence Day Holiday crash, then remember your legal rights and claims in a traffic accident.
