(Itasca, IL, Tuesday, August 24, 2021) – Labor Day Weekend is one of the most dangerous driving weekends of the year. The National Safety Council estimates 466 people may die on the roads this upcoming holiday weekend. This year’s holiday fatality estimate is 19% higher than the 2020 Labor Day estimate of 390, reflecting the overall increase in motor-vehicle deaths in 2021. And with students going back to school– more Americans will be traveling the roads this time of year. The National Safety Council is urging everyone to do your part to ensure you and your loved ones get to your destinations safely, from practicing safe driving to taking care of your vehicle.

One important step before hitting the road: check for recalls.

• According to CARFAX, there are over 50 million vehicles on the road with unrepaired safety recalls. This poses an urgent and serious risk to drivers and passengers.
• One example is the Takata air bag recall. Exposure to hot and humid conditions, which is common in many states during the summer, can turn defective Takata airbags from lifesaving devices to life-threatening devices. In a crash, the deployed airbag could shoot sharp metal fragments into the vehicle severely injuring or even killing the driver or passengers.
• It’s easy to check to see if your car has an open recall. You can visit ChecktoProtect.org or text RECALL to 99724.
• If you find out your vehicle does have an open recall – you can schedule a quick and free repair with a local dealership.

It’s quick and easy to check for safety recalls and protect your loved ones:

• Locate your vehicle’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) on your driver’s side dashboard. It is also found on many registration or insurance documents.
• Enter your VIN at CheckToProtect.org to check for open recalls. You can enter your license plate instead, if you prefer.
• Schedule a FREE repair appointment at your local authorized dealership.

For more information on recalls, visit checktoprotect.org, and for more information about the NSC fatality estimates, visit injuryfacts.nsc.org.

The National Safety Council is America’s leading nonprofit safety advocate – and has been for over 100 years. As a mission-based organization, NSC works to eliminate the leading causes of preventable death and injury. Check to Protect is a coalition created by NSC to raise awareness about recalls and encourage vehicle owners to get them fixed immediately.