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The long lazy days of summer and vacations are coming to an end. Southwest Florida children are back in school. For most people, Labor Day weekend marks the start of the fall season. The holiday weekend begins on Friday, August 30 at 1 p.m., and according to the National Safety Council (NSC), 400 people may be fatally injured in car accidents over this weekend.

“Many families will use Labor Day weekend to make their final summer memories,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, NSC president and CEO. “We want that last hurrah to be fun, not fatal. When you are on the roads, be alert and drive defensively; making smart decisions could be the difference between a relaxing long weekend and one spent in the emergency room.”

The NSC wants drivers to know the following 8 tips for a safe Labor Day weekend:

1. Strengthen occupant protection.

Seat belts, child car seats, and child safety restraint systems in highway vehicles and on airplanes reduce the risk of injury and death. Restraints in motor vehicles saved 14,668 lives in 2016 alone, according to the National Traffic Safety Bureau (NTSB).

2. Properly restrain children.

Make sure children are properly restrained in the appropriate seats for their height, weight, and age.

3. Don’t drink and drive.

Designate an alcohol and drug-free driver, or arrange alternate transportation. 

4. Avoid driving drowsy.

Get plenty of sleep and take regular breaks to avoid fatigue.

5. Don’t text and drive.

Cell phone use is now estimated to be involved in 26 percent of all motor vehicle crashes, up from the previous year. Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions, such as cell phones.

6. Monitor teen drivers.

Stay engaged in teens' driving habits; visit DriveitHOME.org for resources.

7. Get to know your vehicle.

Learn about your vehicle’s safety systems and how to use them at MyCarDoesWhat.org.

8. Check for recalls.

Check your vehicle for recalls at ChecktoProtect.org.

As with other holiday weekends, the American Automobile Association (AAA), along with Budweiser, will have its Tow to Go “Let Us Give You a Lift” program available. The program has been in effect since 1998, and AAA says it has safely removed more than 25, 000 impaired drivers from the roads in the Southeast and Midwest alone.

What Tow to Go provides:

• A free confidential ride is available to AAA members and non-members
• The AAA tow truck transports the vehicle and driver home or somewhere safe within 10 miles
• Tow to Gois provided in Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, Nebraska, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Indiana (Fort Wayne and South Bend only)

Here are important guidelines AAA wants everyone to know about this service:

• Tow trucks can usually transport up to two people. If there are more people in your party, you will need to make other arrangements to get them home safely.
• You can’t make an appointment to use Tow to Go. It is designed as a safety net for those who did not plan ahead. Always choose a Designated Driver before you have your first drink.
• In some situations, AAA may need to make other arrangements to get an impaired individual a safe ride home.
• Tow to Gomay not be available in rural areas or during severe weather conditions.

“We at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. wish everyone a very happy and safe Labor Day weekend. Should you need us because you have been injured in an accident, we are available throughout the weekend 24/7. There are no costs or attorney fees unless we make a monetary recovery for you,” said Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney Randall Spivey.

Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney  Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.