MDOT Encourages Safety this Memorial Day

JACKSON, Miss. (Press Release) — Memorial Day is a great time to celebrate the unofficial start of summer with family and friends while remembering those who were killed in action while serving their country. The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) encourages celebration in remembrance of our military service men and women, and would like to urge those celebrating to exercise caution.

When a holiday rolls around, there is always an increase in unwise decision-making, especially where vehicles are concerned. If you choose to celebrate this Memorial Day don’t get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking. There are always alternative options available. If you know you will be drinking, the best thing to do is make a plan before you celebrate. Designate a sober driver, or have the number to a taxi service ready to go when you are.

Another costly mistake is not wearing your seatbelt when you travel. This is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself, and your passengers, in case something bad happens.

Fifty-seven percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed were unrestrained over the Memorial Day holiday period, in 2010. It is not only important to avoid driving under the influence, but also to make sure all passengers are wearing their seatbelts day or night. Of those occupants killed, 64 percent were in nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.) motor vehicle traffic crashes, and of those, 66 percent were unrestrained. With the risk of being killed in a crash being nearly 3 times greater at night than during the day, it’s important to buckle up at all times while travelling this Memorial Day holiday.

Wearing your seatbelt not only protects your life, it also protects your checkbook. With May being Click-It or Ticket month, law enforcement officers across the state will be on the roads, and wearing a seatbelt will help you avoid a costly ticket.

To promote a safer holiday weekend, MDOT wants you to remember:

  • Don’t drink and drive;
  • don’t ride with anyone who has been drinking; and
  • wear your seatbelt, and make sure your passengers buckle up.
Categories: Local News

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *