Keep safety in mind during holiday weekend

Labor Day weekend is upon us, and we certainly don’t blame anyone for wanting to squeeze some fun into what has been a less than thrilling summer for so many of us.

The message every year around this time is to practice road safety. It’s familiar, but it bears repeating.

We only ask that people keep in mind two important safety messages, one that’s perennial and the other that’s new.

The message that comes up every year around this time is to practice safety on the roads. It’s familiar, but it bears repeating.

That means not getting behind the wheel after drinking. It means showing courtesy to other motorists and avoiding aggressive driving practices. It means focusing your full attention on the road while driving.

Motorists should do this to protect themselves and others from serious injury or death.

The threat is real. There were 2,995 crashes resulting in 46 fatalities between Aug. 30 and Sept. 8, 2019, according to PennDOT.

Nineteen of the fatalities were alcohol-related and three were drug-related.

If that’s not sufficient motivation for motorists to choose the safe path, they should consider the enhanced possibility that they’ll get arrested as police boost enforcement during the holiday weekend.

During the 2019 Labor Day holiday enforcement period, troopers made 610 DUI arrests and investigated 45 crashes in which alcohol was a factor.

State and municipal police are out in force as part of a national impaired driving enforcement and education initiative.

“Wherever you travel this holiday weekend, please slow down and buckle up,” said Col. Robert Evanchick, state police commissioner. “Travelers will notice a visible state police presence on the roads, with troopers taking a zero-tolerance approach toward impaired, aggressive, and distracted driving; as well as speeding.”

So if you’re at a party away from home, either stay sober or make sure you have a designated driver. The price for failing to do so is steep.

We must add that the need for safe driving isn’t just an issue for holiday weekends. With less traffic on many roads during the pandemic, aggressive driving is getting worse.

For example, Exeter Township

police have been cracking down on aggressive driving on the small stretch of Route 422 they patrol. Dozens of motorists have been cited, with several clocked at more than 100 mph. That’s incredibly dangerous. We urge motorists to be more careful not just this weekend but every day.

People also need to be more careful when it comes to preventing further spread of the coronavirus. New cases keep piling up. We’re particularly concerned about a reported surge in cases in Berks County.

The state Department of Health reports that Berks has passed Lehigh County and is in third place statewide in the rate of cases per 100,000 residents. The Berks rate was up to 1,451 on Tuesday. Only Delaware and Philadelphia are ahead of Berks.

It’s troubling to see a spike in cases during a time when people tend to spend more time outdoors. Without greater vigilance on the part of Berks residents, autumn could be disastrous.

Labor Day weekend poses a particular threat. Any large gatherings, even those at people’s homes, could cause problems if people don’t take proper precautions.

We urge readers to celebrate in small groups and to keep the festivities outside as much as possible. Wear a mask and try to stay 6 feet apart from one another.

The rest of the advice is familiar, but like safe-driving tips, it bears repeating because so many people don’t seem to get the message.

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

• Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands.

• Clean surfaces frequently.

• Stay home to avoid spreading COVID-19, especially if you are unwell.

We wish our readers a happy Labor Day. Taking a few easy precautions can ensure it’s a safe one.