Labor Day Traffic Safety

by Chris Huffman, past President of the American Institute for Public Safety

Labor Day is fast approaching and drivers will be taking to the nation’s roadways in record numbers this year.  

But this is not the usual drive safely article like you see every year, one filled with statistics of how many millions of drivers will drive billions of miles over this holiday weekend.  

Instead, this article focuses on you. When you are on the road, what is the one and only thing you can control? You.  

Why is it that when we drive we tend to blame everything on someone else?  Why do we say things like, “Look at that guy!  What a jerk!  Why does he drive like and idiot?  Why doesn’t everyone else drive like me? Why is there so much traffic? Why are all these cars in my way and blocking me from getting where I want to go?”  

The only thing you control is your own actions. You make the decisions where to go, when to go, how fast or slow and whether to break the rules or obey the rules.  

When you drive, you are making the choices that affect your safety, your family’s safety and the safety of drivers around you. Your actions affect the “driving community,” the drivers sharing the road with you.  

If you make the choice this holiday weekend to drive long distances in very short time frames, be aware of the choices you make and how they can be “life” decisions.  

Are you planning on driving more than 1,000 miles in just three days? Do you think you can drive through the night to return from leave and get back to duty on time? What type of risk assessment are you making regarding your driving? Use the tools that can make the difference between positive risk taking and negative risk taking.  

Do you realize that the highest risk behavior you take is driving your car? The leading cause of death to age 34 is auto fatalities. Not combat.  Not other types of accidents.  Not disease.  Auto fatalities are the greatest risk to human life, with 42,000 lives claimed each year.  

One last thought for driving over the Labor Day weekend. Think back to last year.  We enjoyed a weekend that did not include many thoughts of terrorism, but within a week we were all affected by the events of Sept. 11 in a way we will never forget.  

Our nation is now stronger and ready for all the challenges that terrorism presents. Our nation is very proud of all the firefighters, law enforcement officers and military personnel who serve their country and have saved countless lives over the past twelve months. And when it comes to driving this weekend, remember that our nation looks to you to set an example of leadership, discipline, training and standards at all times, on- or off-duty.  

Save lives and be a part of the driving community this Labor Day and always. It is up to you to set the example for others to follow. Drive safely and have a great Labor Day.