According to the National Safety Council (NSC), U.S. road deaths during the Fourth of July holiday are expected to be higher than 160.NSC Fourth of July Motor Vehicle Crash Predictions & Tips

As many head out of town across the U.S., the council warns all to drive safe and beware of impaired drivers from alcohol consumption, and offered tips for fleet drivers.

The council is urging drivers to be extremely cautious on Tuesday, July 3 and Wednesday, July 4, especially on highways and bypasses. The holiday period lasts between 1.25 to 4.25 days although many take additional time off so so incidents are expected even days after the holiday.

The Fourth of July (Independence Day) holiday has not fallen on a Wednesday since 2012, in which there was 157 fatalities on the roads. These facts support this year’s estimate.

Alcohol is also a noted factor for the high number of expected fatalities. In 2016, 41% of fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver — the highest percentage among all the major holidays.

The council published some safety advice for fleet drivers to ensure safety during the holiday period:

  • Practice defensive driving: Buckle up, get plenty of sleep before driving, and avoid distracted driving behaviors.
  • Know your vehicle’s safety systems: Now is a good time for fleet managers to remind drivers to familiarize themselves with all the critical safety systems.
  • Get recalls fixed: Before sending any driver out, make sure their vehicles do not have an open recall.

Motor vehicle accidents reached a new record in 2016, claiming 161,374 lives and becoming the third leading cause of death in the United States for the first time in recorded history. 2016 also marked a 14% increase in roadway deaths since 2014 — the largest two-year jump in 53 years.

View the Fourth of July fatality holiday traffic fatality estimate here. 

Questions? Contact NHH Services

NHH’s Safety Team is committed to driver education and training to ensure drivers are continuously safe on the road and compliant with the latest laws. If you have any questions, contact customer service.