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Thousands of people are anticipated to participate in one last summer fling as Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial end of summer. According to AAA (American Automobile Association) in 2015, nationwide, 35 million people traveled at least 50 miles from home over the Labor Day holiday weekend. 30.4 million traveled in their motor vehicles. The large number of travelers in the U.S. over the weekend can be caused by lower gas prices.

Gas prices on Labor Day 2015 were the lowest they had ever been in close to eleven years, according to AAA, with the national average being $2.40 per gallon. The average as of August 21, 2016, according to AAA, is $2.16. The lower gas prices are expected to allow more Americans to take to the roads for a last summer getaway.

Holiday travel is often dangerous on the nation’s roadways as vehicle accidents spike over long weekends. 2015 was a difficult year for traffic fatalities as they rose by the largest percentage in close to 50 years, according to the National Safety Council. 38,300 people were killed and 4.4 million were seriously injured.  Florida was among the top four states seeing the biggest percentage rises in traffic fatalities at 18 percent. Deborah Hersman, President and CEO of the National Safety Council, said at the beginning of 2016, “These numbers are serving notice: Americans take their safety on the roadways for granted. Engage your defensive driving skills and stay alert so we can reverse this trend in 2016.”

The NSC issues fatality estimates for major holiday periods to draw attention to the need for drivers to exercise safe driving practices, especially when a significant number of drivers are expected to be on our nation’s roads.  Their estimates are pretty close to actual results as shown in the table below.

This year, Labor Day weekend officially runs from 6:00 p.m., Friday, September 2, to midnight, Monday, September 5, 2016. 

Where do most crashes occur? 

Unsurprisingly, some of the country's longest (and busiest) roadways are typically its most dangerous, with the most deadly crashes occurring on these five highways: I-10, I-95, I-40, I-75 and US-1,according to Conde Nast Traveler.

Four of these five highways run through Florida, making Florida a high risk area for Labor Day weekend accidents. 

The Dayton Daily News reports that every crash starts out with a bad decision and when people make those bad decisions, ultimately that is what leads to fatal crashes. Bad decisions include speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving and not buckling up. 

Common sense tips from AAA: 

• Drinking and driving do not mix. Don’t drink and drive.
• Buckling up saves lives. Never start the vehicle without first being sure all occupants are buckled.
• Make the inside of the vehicle a distraction-free zone.
• Obey the speed limit.
• Travel during daytime.

“We at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. wish everyone a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend. Please remember, if you are injured in a vehicle accident, contact our experienced team,” said Randall Spivey, Fort Myers Personal Injury Attorney.

Fort Myers Personal Injury 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.