With Labor Day fast approaching and signaling an end to summer, many people across the country are planning weekend getaways. The holiday weekend is, for many, a time to travel and soak up summer activities one last time before temperatures start falling.

As we plan our trips, the last thing on most of our minds is the potential danger of being out on the roads. But, as a sobering reminder, the National Safety Council (NSC) predicts that over 40,000 people will be injured in collisions this coming holiday weekend.

Each year, there is a spike in traffic collisions and fatalities as more people take to the roads over the long holiday weekend. And, this year, it is anticipated that even more Americans will be on the roads than usual. Wearing seatbelts could prevent many traffic collision deaths. The NSC estimates that nearly 150 lives will be preserved over the course of the weekend thanks to seatbelts.

A few other safety tips to keep in mind as you prepare for the long weekend:

• Before you start out on a trip, make sure that your vehicle is in good condition, and see that any necessary maintenance is performed
• Adults and kids should always wear a seat belt; infants should always be properly secured in car seats
• Don’t drink and drive; the Highway National Safety Administration recognizes Aug. 16-Sept. 2 as “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”
• Establish and enforce a driver’s distraction-free zone as even just a momentary look away from the road can drastically increase your chances of a crash
• Allow plenty of travel time to avoid frustration and reduce the impulse to speed
• Drive at a safe speed for the conditions so that you can stop in time to avoid hitting anything in front of you; at night, this is the distance illuminated by your headlights
• Be well-rested before setting off on your journey
• Be mindful of other vehicles on the road and remember to keep a safe distance between your vehicle and others…something we all know, but the general public forgets...keep in mind that semi-trucks, for example, require more time to come to a stop than cars do, and have large blind spots