Memorial Day: Most Dangerous Weekend on Roads | DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and partner

A recent study conducted by the National Coalition for Safer Roads suggests that Memorial Day weekend is the most dangerous of the year.  If we had to guess, for most of us the general consensus would likely have been that other holidays such as New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day are the most hazardous because of the dangerous mix of excess alcohol and drinking.  With the popularity of Sober Ride and similar programs for those holidays, this study focuses attention on what other factors contribute to more crashes during holiday periods.  The NCSR study, summarized in Safer Roads Report 2012 – Trends in Red-Light Running, reveals that Memorial Day weekend is ranked “the number one holiday weekend for red-light violations.”  During Memorial  Day weekend, the number of red-light violations increases by almost 40% over an average weekend.

The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that “420 traffic fatalities and another 42,000 medically consulted injuries will occur over the traditional summer kick-off weekend from motor vehicle collisions. For the past six years, the Memorial Day holiday weekend has averaged 11.5% more traffic fatalities than similar non-holiday periods.”

“To ensure a safe Memorial Day holiday weekend, NSC recommends drivers:

• Refrain from all cell phone use behind the wheel
• Make sure all passengers are buckled up and children are in age-appropriate safety seats
• All children 12 and under should always be in the back seat
• Allow plenty of travel time to avoid frustration and diminish the impulse to speed
• Drive defensively and exercise caution, especially during inclement weather
• Avoid driving while drowsy
• Designate a “non-drinking” driver – even moderate consumption of alcohol impairs reaction time and driving judgment”

Start your summer holiday travel season with safety in mind. Please drive carefully, and I wish you a wonderful and safe Memorial Day Weekend.

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About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., which awarded him “Trial Lawyer of the Year” for 2011.  He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a “Big Gun” and among the “top 1%” of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as “one of Washington’s best–most honest and effective lawyers” who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners.  His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA.  Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a “Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)– national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at [email protected] or call him at 202-822-1899.