Memorial Day

May 31, 2021

I hope you have a fun and safe Memorial Day with family and friends! Please take a moment from your picnics and  cookouts to remember why we celebrate this day. Today, and every day, I am thinking of all of those who have lost their lives serving for our country, without whom we would not have our freedom. 

Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest times to travel. Below are five tips from the National Safety Council for how to prepare for your commute:

  1. Prepare before you go – Before hitting the road, make sure your car is safe for driving. Vehicle owners should check their oil, put air in their tires and check for and repair open recalls. 
  2. Drive distraction-free – Thousands have died in crashes involving cell phone use. Put your phones away and #JustDrive.
  3. Slow down – Speeding is a factor in more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities. Drive the speed limit and do not exceed it. Be sure to pay attention for those walking and biking in order to keep all road users safe.
  4. Designate a sober driver – or arrange alternate transportation. Alcohol is only one cause of impaired driving. Drugs, including opioid, cannabis and some over-the-counter medicines, can impair your driving ability by causing drowsiness, altering visual functions and affecting mental judgement and motor skills.
  5. Buckle up – Seat belts are estimated to have saved 374,276 lives. Buckle up and make sure you have the appropriate car seats installed correctly if you're traveling with children.