Memorial Day is a time of sombre reflection and heartfelt gratitude. As a lead attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh, I want to begin by honoring the brave men and women of our armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We owe our fallen heroes and their families an immense debt of gratitude. Thanks to their selfless service, we enjoy the freedoms and safety that allow us to gather with loved ones on this holiday. On behalf of our firm, thank you to all who have served and given their lives – we will never forget your sacrifice, and we honor your memory today and every day.

While Memorial Day is dedicated to remembering our heroes, it also marks the unofficial start of summer. Many families in Sarasota, Bradenton, Port Charlotte, and across Southwest Florida celebrate with road trips, beach outings, barbecues, and boat rides. It’s a fun and relaxing time – but please celebrate. In the spirit of caring for our community, we’d like to share some important safety advice for the holiday weekend. By staying safe, we not only protect ourselves and our neighbors, but we also pay tribute to our fallen heroes by making our community a safer place.

Be Extra Care When Driving, Memorial Day Can Have Heavy Traffic and Higher Accident Rates

With the long weekend upon us, roads and waterways will be busier than usual. AAA forecasts record travel volumes this year – around 45 million Americans will journey at least 50 miles from home over Memorial Day weekend, with about 39.4 million traveling by car. Here in Florida, popular highways like I-75 and local routes around Sarasota and Bradenton are expected to see heavy congestion as tourists and residents alike head out to enjoy the sun. Unfortunately, more traffic can lead to more accidents. In fact, Memorial Day weekend consistently sees a spike in crashes and injuries. One analysis found that this holiday weekend experiences about 8% more traffic fatalities than a typical weekend, making it deadlier than even New Year’s or Christmas in terms of crash rates. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that over the past several years, Memorial Day weekends have averaged roughly 10% more fatal crashes compared to non-holiday weekendsm.

Florida is not immune. The Florida Department of Transportation reported over 1,100 crashes during last year’s Memorial Day weekend, including eight fatalities. These stark numbers are reminders that increased traffic, unfamiliar routes, and risky behaviors like speeding and impaired driving can lead to heartbreaking outcomes.

The positive news? Most of these accidents are preventable. With careful planning, attentiveness, and a commitment to safety, we can all help make this Memorial Day weekend safer.

Why the increase in accidents? Heavy traffic volume and risky behaviors are a dangerous combination. People are driving longer distances, often on unfamiliar roads, and may be eager to rush to their destination. Speeding and impaired driving tend to surge during holiday periods, and the results can be tragic. During Memorial Day weekend 2023, an estimated 465 people lost their lives in traffic crashes across the U.S., a grim number that was higher than the weekends before and after the holiday. Nearly half of those who died were not wearing seat belts, and about 39% of the fatalities involved alcohol. Florida is not immune to these trends – the Florida Department of Transportation reported over 1,100 crashes statewide during Memorial Day weekend last year, with eight of those crashes resulting in fatalities. These statistics are sobering reminders that holiday travel comes with elevated risks.

Another concern is teen drivers. Memorial Day kicks off what safety experts call the “100 Deadliest Days” of summer for young drivers – the period from Memorial Day through Labor Day when teen-involved crashes and deaths historically jump. Nationwide, an average of seven people die per day in crashes involving teen drivers during these summer days. If you have a teenage driver in your family, please be extra mindful of this heightened risk and talk with them about safe driving habits before they hit the road.

The good news is that most Memorial Day accidents are preventable with some planning, caution, and common sense. Below, we offer practical tips to help you and your loved ones stay safe this Memorial Day weekend, whether you’re driving on our highways, riding a motorcycle, or enjoying Florida’s beautiful waterways on a boat.

Easy Ways To Be Safe When Traveling Memorial Day

Whether you’re behind the wheel, riding your motorcycle, or setting out on the water, here are some practical and lifesaving tips to keep in mind:

Plan Ahead: Avoid peak travel times. Allow extra time to reach your destination so you’re not rushed or tempted to speed.

Wear Your Seat Belt: Ensure everyone in your vehicle is properly buckled—no exceptions.

Never Drive Impaired: Designate a sober driver or use a rideshare service. Even a small amount of alcohol can impair judgment.

Put Down the Phone: Avoid texting or calling while driving. Use hands-free navigation or pull over to set your GPS.

Watch for Motorcyclists and Cyclists: Look twice, especially at intersections and during lane changes.

Boating? Safety First: Wear life jackets, never boat under the influence, and follow navigation rules. Always have safety gear and check weather forecasts before setting out.

Educate Young Drivers: Set clear rules and expectations for teen drivers. Remind them to stay focused and avoid risky behaviors.

A Safe, Meaningful Memorial Day for All

This Memorial Day, let’s honor the heroes who gave everything for our nation by keeping ourselves and each other safe. Whether you’re driving down I-75, cruising on a Harley through downtown Bradenton, or boating in the Gulf waters off Sarasota, please stay alert, be responsible, and look out for those around you. Every life we protect honors the memory of those we’ve lost. From all of us at Justice Pays, we wish you a peaceful, happy Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy the time with your family and friends, cherish the freedom our fallen service members fought for, and celebrate responsibly. And if you or a loved one ever needs legal help after an accident, know that we are here for you, ready to stand by your side. Stay safe, Southwest Florida – and thank you to our heroes, today and always.

Sources:

National Safety Council & Cambridge Mobile Telematics data on increased Memorial Day crash ratesrepairerdrivennews.com

National Safety Council analysis of Memorial Day traffic fatality trends kcra.comkcra.com

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