Police expect rise in alcohol-related deaths

WASHINGTON – For highway troopers, the Memorial Day weekend begins a grim season: the 100 or so days of summer when alcohol-linked traffic deaths traditionally reach their peak.

One big reason is that the three holiday weekends that frame the season – Memorial Day, July Fourth and Labor Day – are the deadliest holiday weekends of the year.

Moreover, while about 40 percent of highway fatalities are alcohol-related on the average day, half or more of all fatalities are booze-linked on summer holiday weekends. The Labor Day weekend tends to be highest.

Driving mileage is highest in summer. Beer sales rise, but hard liquor sales don’t, according to industry trade associations.

Driving deaths, both alcohol-related and not, increase in summer, according to Drivers for Life, an alliance of law enforcement and auto industry representatives. They cite factors such as poor seatbelt and child safety seat use, driver fatigue, in-car distractions and speeding as well as alcohol.