There is good news and bad news today. The good news is that the three-day Memorial Day weekend is coming up. The bad news is that the National Safety Council estimates 471 people will die in traffic crashes during the holiday, while another 25,400 will suffer disabling injuries. Want to survive the highway carnage? The national Safety Council offers some advice.

The National Safety Council today released its estimates for traffic crashes for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend which begins at 6 p.m. Fri., May 22 and ends at 11:59 p.m. Mon., May 25.

The Council estimates 471 traffic fatalities over the traditional summer kick-off weekend and another 25,400 disabling injuries from motor vehicle collisions.

The Council also estimates that 393 people will survive the Memorial Day holiday because they will be wearing seat belts and that another 115 lives could be saved if all wore safety belts.

For the past six years, the Memorial Day weekend has averaged 8.7% more traffic fatalities than similar non-holiday periods.

The National Safety Council issues fatality estimates for major holiday periods to draw attention to the need for drivers to exercise safe driving practices especially when a significant number of drivers are expected to be traveling on our roads and highways.

To ensure a safe Memorial Day weekends, the National Safety Council recommends drivers:

• Establish and enforce a driver's 'distraction-free zone' especially in cars equipped with electronic devices including cell phones, video games and global positioning systems.
• Make sure all passengers are buckled up and children are in age-appropriate safety seats.
• Allow plenty of travel time to avoid frustration and diminish the impulse to speed.
• Drive defensively and exercise caution especially during inclement weather.
• Don't drink and drive. Even moderate consumption of wine or beer impairs reaction time and driving judgement.