There are more than 1.5 million Floridians who are expected to travel at least 50 miles from their home over the long Labor Day weekend. This is more than a 2.5 percent increase from last year, according to the Sun Sentinel.
More people are expected to travel by car in the state of Florida than the rest of the nation. About 87 percent of Floridians will be hitting the road over the long holiday weekend, while only 85 percent of the nation as a whole will be using this form of transportation, according to AAA. They’re going to be paying more to get there, too. Gas prices are up close to 40 cents from this time last year. Currently, an average gallon of gas in Fort Lauderdale sits at about $3.79.
Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys are asking everyone to be on their very best driving behavior over the holiday weekend. More travelers means busier roadways and higher risks for accidents. As a matter of fact, there are more than 400 people who are expected to be killed in car accidents over the holiday weekend, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Officials are also predicting that there will be another 41,000 injuries because of car accidents.
Across the United States, there are close to 35 million people who are going to travel at least 50 miles to their Labor Day destination.
For statistics-keeping purposes, the Labor Day holiday weekend is specifically designed as the time from 6:00 p.m. on Friday the 31st all the way through 11:59 p.m. on Monday the 3rd. This is going to be some of the most dangerous three days out of the entire year.
Drivers are asked to safe while driving to help make our roadways safe for everyone. Officials with the NSC are here to offer you some safe driving tips to help you to ensure that safety.
Labor Day Tips for Your Road Trip:
-Never drink and drive. Make sure that you always have a designated driver or another sober way to get home.
-Make sure your seat belt is always buckled. This will help you to stay safe should you get into an accident.
-Check out traffic, weather and road conditions before heading out. Check for delays.
-Never engage in distractions as the driver.
-Make sure you know exactly where you’re going before you head out, too. This will help you to avoid road maps and GPS devices while driving and to keep your eyes on the road.
-Always travel after a full night of sleep. Avoid drowsy driving.
-Allow plenty of travel time to avoid frustration and diminish the impulse to speed.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car accident, contact Fort Lauderdale Accident Lawyer Richard Ansara at 954 761-3641 or toll-free at 877-277-3780 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
Additional Resources:
Labor Day travel to rise 2.6 percent in Florida, AAA forecasts, by Doreen Hemlock, Sun Sentinel
More Blog Entries:
Near 15 Percent Increase in Accidents, Be Safe Out There, Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, July 31, 2012
Miami-Fort Lauderdale Ranks in Top 5 Most Dangerous Areas in Nation to Drive, Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, July 20, 2012