ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the American Automobile Association (AAA) forecasting that more than 48 million drivers will clog America’s roads and highways this Thanksgiving weekend, Road Safe America urges extreme caution on the Sunday after Thanksgiving – which statistics show is often the busiest highway travel day of the year.
“We started Drive Safer Sunday 14 years ago to call attention to the deadly situation on our nation’s highways that day, when so many people are returning home after Thanksgiving visits with family or friends,” said Steve Owings, co-founder along with his wife, Susan, of the highway-safety-focused non-profit Road Safe America.
“Please, remind your students returning to colleges and universities by car of the highway perils that day. Our son Cullum was killed on the Sunday after Thanksgiving in 2002 when his car – stopped in an interstate traffic jam – was crushed from behind by a speeding tractor trailer.”
Road Safe America reminds those traveling during Thanksgiving to:
- Get plenty of rest before operating a vehicle and take frequent breaks to remain alert.
- Be attentive to dangers inside and outside of their car.
- Consider driving during off-peak travel hours to avoid congestion.
- Avoid unnecessary distractions behind the wheel, including loud sound systems and the use of any hand-held devices.
- Give large trucks plenty of room since they can’t see as well, maneuver as quickly, or stop in the same distance as passenger vehicles can in an emergency.
THANKS TO SENATORS ISAKSON, PERDUE AND COONS
U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga. were joined by Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., in introducing a Drive Safer Sunday resolution in the Senate again this year, which passed unanimously on November 15.
“On behalf of the traveling public, Road Safe America offers its sincere thanks to Senators Isakson, Perdue, Coons and the entire U.S. Senate for taking this action to raise public awareness about the increased risks on our streets, roads and highways the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Our hope is that the national observance of Drive Safer Sunday will reduce crashes nationwide and help everyone travel to and from their destinations safely.”
For more information, please visit www.roadsafeamerica.org.