Tailgate Talk

On Labor Day weekend, many go looking for one last summer fling. Some of your coworkers, friends and neighbors will throw backyard barbeque parties or head out to the beach. Others make it a tradition to attend a community festival or sit on the lawn at an outdoor music venue. Some celebrate the beginning of the college football season.

The safety message to share at your workplace? Have fun, be safe.

Alcohol consumption tends to spike on long holiday weekends. More than 400 people likely will die in crashes on U.S. roads during the upcoming Labor Day holiday driving period, according to estimates from the National Safety Council. Hundreds more will be injured. Many crash fatalities and injuries can be linked to the use of alcohol and other drugs.

Safety is not just for work. It’s a value to be lived – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Safety is personal. Safety is about your family, friends and coworkers. So, provide continuing education and training on risks associated with impaired driving ahead of all the Labor Day fun.

Here are some tools to assist in your efforts:

• Get posters and public service announcements from the Texas Department of Transportation through its When you drink, don’t drive campaign
• Use our free Spanish materials to connect with all of your employees (posters, safety huddles, safety coach cards)
• Download the Impaired Driving Playbook from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and share safety messages on your social media channels or via your intranet platform

Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Let’s work together to make memories that last a lifetime.