Otter Tail County, MN – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working with the Safe Communities Coalition and the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office to make sure everyone stays safe on the roads throughout the long Thanksgiving weekend. Whether driving cross country or just across town to celebrate the holiday, everyone in a vehicle should Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time. In addition to being required by law, buckling up is the best defense against injury or death in a crash.
During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2022 (6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23, to 5:59 a.m. on Monday, November 28), there were 326 passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes across the nation, and 43% (141) were unrestrained. Not wearing a seat belt proved to be deadly at any time of the day during the holiday weekend: 47% of those killed in nighttime crashes were unbuckled, and 38% of those killed in daytime crashes also were unbuckled. These deaths represent needless tragedies for families across America and may have been prevented with the simple click of a seat belt.
“The Thanksgiving holiday is the start of a special time of year for so many people,” said Sergeant Allen Mekash with the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office. “No matter how long or short your drive, it’s critical that drivers and passengers Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time. We want everyone to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Please, make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled before you ever turn on the car — including children in the correct car seats, too.”
Click here for more information about traveling safely this Thanksgiving.
Story Courtesy of Otter Tail County
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