Safety Office Urges Airmen to Make Good Choices over Holiday Weekend

  • Published
  • By 319th Air Base Wing Safety Office
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  As summer comes to an end, the commitment to the Air Force Core Values of Integrity, Service and Excellence enables our Airmen to accomplish great things daily. We must also commit to safety in the same manner to prevent mishaps and ensure we can continue the mission.

Many people view the Labor Day weekend as their last chance to travel, hit the beach or fire up the grill. It is one of the busiest weekends of the year for roadway travel. The Automobile Association of America estimated 34.1 million Americans traveled on the 2013 Labor Day holiday weekend. The National Safety Council estimated almost 400 deaths just from traffic incidents alone. In the summer of 2013, the Air Force lost one Airman in a motorcycle fatality.

The American Red Cross offers safety tips to help everyone have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

"While many people will spend the Labor Day weekend traveling and spending time with family and friends, no one should take a vacation from safety," said Phil Hansen, Regional Chapter Executive of the American Red Cross, Northern Minnesota Region. "It's still important that people work to remain vigilant on the road, at the beach and at cookouts."

The National Safety Council offers the following reminders for the long weekend:

· Don't drink and drive. Law enforcement officials will be in full force focusing attention on impaired drivers.

· If you do drink, make arrangements for a designated driver or a taxi.

· Wear your seat belt. It is estimated that 148 people may survive collisions this weekend because they will have worn safety belts.

· Enforce a distraction-free zone for drivers. This includes cell phones, GPS, etc.

· Ensure children are in properly installed safety seats appropriate for their age and size.

· Allow plenty of travel time to discourage speeding and frustration.

· Drive alert and exercise extreme caution at all times.

Civilian population risk data:
· Drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 crashes a year.

· Drowsy driving causes 40,000 injuries a year and 1,550 deaths.

· Between 2001 and 2008, more than 34,000 motorcycle riders were killed in traffic crashes.

· Between 2001 and 2008, an estimated 1.2 million people were treated in US emergency rooms.

Compromising safety means possibly compromising the mission. Make this Labor Day holiday weekend a fun and safe one for everyone.