One of the deadliest risks faced by motorists is the risk of a rollover accident -- particularly for those who drive SUVs, minivans and trucks, which tend to have a higher center of gravity and a greater propensity to tip. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 280,000 rollover accidents are reported each year. Those rollovers kill more than 10,000 motorists annually.
Continue Reading...Teenage drivers in the U.S. often overestimate their level of driving experience. That false confidence in their driving abilities puts them at risk for accidents and personal injuries. The finding is a result of new research published in a recent edition of the journal Pediatrics.
Continue Reading...Contrary to what you may hear or see on television, most teens aren't drinking and driving or using illegal drugs this prom season. Still, each year many talented and promising young people across the U.S. are, in fact, killed in prom-related accidents -- many involving drugs or alcohol. This year, take time to review with your teenager the importance of exercising good judgment and making responsible decisions related to the risky behaviors that he or she might have an opportunity to engage in following a high school prom.
The following prom safety tips for kids and parents are provided courtesy of The Children's Hospital:
Continue Reading...According to a new analysis of U.S. injury data, approximately 37,000 people over age 65 are injured annually while attempting to enter or exit a vehicle. Roughly 40% of these injuries were due to falls. Additionally, the same group was found more likely to be hospitalized as a result of falls than was the average driver. These findings are the result of new research published in a recent edition of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Continue Reading...Although many people with mild dementia (such as in early Alzheimer's Disease) may initially be able to drive safely, their driving skills predictably decline over 1 - 2 years to a level that often leaves them unsafe to drive. The finding is the result of new research published in a recent edition of the journal Neurology -- the official journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Continue Reading...Conventional wisdom may hold that drunk drivers are habitual drinkers, but new research shows that people who get drunk only on occasion account for almost half of all DWI offenses. This latest study, published in a recent issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, draws its research data from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey -- a survey involving interviews with more than 350,000 adults living in the U.S. each year.
Continue Reading...Contrary to popular belief, pregnant women should wear seat belts, not only to save themselves in the event of a car accident but also to save their fetuses. The finding is the result of recent research published in the April issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. According to the study, almost 200 fetuses each year -- half of all fetal losses in motor-vehicle crashes -- could be saved if pregnant women wore seat belts properly.
Continue Reading...The 8th annual Work Zone Awareness Week will be held April 7th - 11th, 2008. Organized by the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), this year's theme is "Slow for the Cone Zone." The event is recognized across the nation, but the initial kick-off celebration will be held on April 8th in Sacramento, California -- the first annual kick-off held outside the DC Metro area. The event aims to draw national attention to motorist and worker safety and mobility issues in work zones.
Continue Reading...Mild traumatic brain injury is often followed by post-concussion syndrome, but brain injuries, it turns out, aren't the only traumas which predict the neurological condition. The finding is the result of new research published in a recent edition of the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.
Continue Reading...Alcohol abuse is prevalent among many different demographic groups in the United States, including all of the following, to name just a few examples:
To help more Americans recognize the seriousness of alcohol abuse, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has designated April 2008 Alcohol Awareness Month.
Simply listening to a caller on a cell phone while driving may distract the brain enough to contribute to an accident. The finding is the result of a new study conducted at Carnegie Mellon University and published in a recent edition of the journal Brain Research.
Continue Reading...Parents can help to reduce their children's risk of problem drinking during college by keeping a more watchful eye on them during high school. The finding is the result of new research published in a recent edition of Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy.
Continue Reading...A head injury traumatic enough to cause unconsciousness can result in widespread, permanent destruction of brain tissue. The finding is the result of research recently published in the journal Neurology -- the official journal of the American Academy of Neurology -- and helps to explain why some people who suffer Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) often experience irreversible personality changes following their injuries.
Continue Reading...This month is Brain Injury Awareness Month -- a time designated for building public awareness and promoting education regarding brain injuries and their prevention.
Continue Reading...Teenage passengers involved in an automobile accident are more likely to die than other passengers in the same circumstances -- particularly if the driver is young and inexperienced. The finding is the result of new research published in a recent edition of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Continue Reading...The General Assembly for the State of Virginia recently amended and reenacted its driving laws relating to underage drinking and driving. According to House Bill No. 719, the penalties for underage drinking and driving "provides that "zero tolerance" (0.02% BAC) underage drinking and driving is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. Currently, the punishment is loss of license and a fine of no more than $500. This bill provides for a forfeiture of such person's license to operate a motor vehicle for a period of one year from the date of conviction and a mandatory minimum fine of $250.00. Punishment set forth in the bill mimics punishment for DUI."
Full details: Section 18.2.266.1 of the code of Virginia
All states have some version of "zero tolerance" laws for underage drinking and driving. Virginia just took a step to strengthen its laws relating to this on-going problem.
Teenagers may consider drinking as a necessary rite of passage activity to fit in with the crowd. In reality, teens who drink are endangering themselves and others. Teens who drink and drive are breaking the law.
Familydoctor.org highlights the dangers of teen drinking in Drinking: It Can Spin Your World Around: Facts for Teens. The article also includes links to a number of other safety organizations focusing on teens and alcohol.
March is Spring Break season for many college-age Americans, and one of the first opportunities of the year to set aside the books and vacation with friends. Too often, those vacations turn dangerous or deadly, due partly to risky behaviors frequently associated with Spring Break festivities. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified some common Spring Break risks, and recommends the following to keep you and those around you safe and healthy this spring:
Continue Reading...Washington, D.C. is unique as one of the few U.S. cities built according to a preconceived plan. Its grid-based pattern of roads is relatively easy to comprehend, but maneuvering across it in a car can be a challenge. Following are some metro area traffic laws that aren't necessarily common to other U.S. cities. Knowing these can help make you a safer driver, and make your time in DC more enjoyable:
Continue Reading...According to a recent article in the Washington Post, a Prince George's County adolescent was attempting to stop his Crown Victoria last Saturday morning at 3:00 a.m., as he struck a crowd of spectators gathered for an illegal street race on a desolate country road. Apparently, the driver was not a participant in the race, and reportedly did not see the crowd of onlookers until it was too late. Eight people died in the collision, another six were injured.
Continue Reading...Winter weather in the DC Metro Area and elsewhere can take a toll on aging streets and roadways. Potholes caused by freezing water can quickly turn well-traveled streets into dangerous obstacle courses. Road crews repair many of these holes in late winter or early spring, creating a temporary hazard of an entirely different sort. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) reminds motorists to watch for road workers this season and to drive carefully through areas where service crews are making repairs. The organization offers the following tips for motorists to ensure the safety of road workers and drivers, alike:
Continue Reading...When winter temperatures drop significantly below normal, staying warm and safe can become a challenge. Extremely cold temperatures often accompany a winter storm, so you may have to cope with power failures and icy roads. Although staying indoors as much as possible can help reduce the risk of car crashes and falls on the ice, you may also face indoor hazards, such as communication, heating and food complications. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reminds everyone to be safe throughout the rest of this winter season, and to check the following supply lists to prepare in advance of particularly nasty winter weather:
Continue Reading...Super Bowl Sunday is one of America’s most popular and most entertaining national sporting events, but it's also one of the most dangerous days on the nation's roadways, due in part to the thousands of fans who drive under the influence of alcohol each year. If you plan on consuming alcohol while supporting your favorite team this Super Bowl Sunday, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hopes you'll be smart and pass your keys to a sober, designated driver before you ever start drinking.
Continue Reading...Although many states do allow the use of cell phones while driving, in the District of Columbia, it is illegal to use any kind other than a hands-free device. For each offense, drivers are fined $100.00 for violating this law, in effect since July 1, 2004.
Motorists who talk on wireless phones while driving tend to drive slower, forgo opportunities to pass slow-moving vehicles, and generally take longer than other drivers to reach their destinations. Overall, people who talk on the phone while driving have the cumulative effect of congesting traffic. The finding is the result of recent research conducted at the University of Utah. , and presented at the annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board.
Continue Reading...The high volume of traffic in and around the metro area means lengthy commutes for many area residents, and lengthy commutes eat into relaxation time, as well as time motorists could devote to home and work responsibilities -- it's a situation that creates significant frustration and often contributes to aggressive driving. Aggressive driving has a significant impact on the safety of DC-area roadways. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) encourages area motorists to help address the problem of aggressive driving by adopting the following safe driving practices related to aggressive driving:
Continue Reading...Recent charges from a fatal accident involving a teenage driver reminds us of the particular dangers when mixing teenagers and motor vehicles. Contributing factors often include lack of experience, distracted driving, excessive speed, aggressive driving, not using seat belts, driving while drowsy, alcohol and drug use, dare-devil activities.
A fatal single-vehicle crash in Charles County, Maryland that claimed the life of one area teen last November has resulted in charges of reckless and negligent driving against the driver -- a 17-year-old Brandywine girl.
Continue Reading...Chronic medical conditions require a variety of routine medications. Unfortunately, many of those medications are known to cause drowsiness, sap energy and slow reaction times in drivers. In most areas of the U.S., it's necessary to drive to remain independent -- to get to the grocery store, the doctor, to visit friends, and even to get to work. Because our ability to drive safely can be affected by prescription medications and our health, in general, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers the following facts and tips regarding safe driving for individuals who take multiple medications:
Continue Reading...Walking is a great way to exercise and experience the beauty of the winter season first-hand. On particularly snowy days, it may even be the only reliable mode of transportation! Walking over snow and ice can easily lead to injuries, however. Before you bundle up and trudge your way to work or school, take time to review these winter walking safety tips, courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
Continue Reading...There is a strong correlation between states that lack stringent seat belt laws and states that suffer high percentages of fatal accidents on rural roads, according to a recent analysis by researchers at the Center for Excellence in Rural Safety at the University of Montana.
Continue Reading...According to the National Safety Council (NSC), traffic death rates triple at night, on average. Nighttime driving is both more difficult and more dangerous than many drivers realize -- for drivers of all ages, but particularly for older drivers, who can't see as well in the dark, and for younger drivers who are more likely to attempt to drive while impaired. By preparing your vehicle for night driving, and adhering to the following guidelines, provided courtesy of the NSC, you can minimize some of the inherent dangers of driving in the dark:
Continue Reading...If you're hosting a holiday party this season, keep in mind that a responsible host protects his or her friends and loved ones by planning in advance to prevent drunk driving. To help with that advance planning, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) offers the following holiday party safety tips to help ensure that your seasonal get-together is both successful and safe:
Continue Reading...The Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) -- a private-public coalition formed to fight drunk and drugged driving in the metro area -- has announced the kickoff of its 2007 Holiday SoberRide Program. Beginning on December 7th, and ending on January 1st, inebriated drivers in the metro area will be able to request a free cab ride (up to $50 in value) between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., by dialing 1-800-200-TAXI, or by dialing "TAXI" from any AT&T wireless phone.
Continue Reading...Trains have a way of captivating children -- unfortunately, that interest occasionally leads to injuries and even fatalities, as many children don't understand the dangers associated with trains and railroad crossings. In 2006, alone, 530 people were killed on railroad tracks in the U.S. Thirty-nine children under the age of 15 died in an accident involving a train during the previous year. SafeKids.Org offers the following Railroad Safety Quick Tips, designed to help parents teach their children about the dangers posed by trains:
Continue Reading...Toy cars are prized posessions for many young children -- that's partly why it's so important for parents to explain that real vehicles are not toys or play areas. Even car trunks, which may seem like a harmless automotive feature, can pose risks to kids in the form of entrapment dangers.
Continue Reading...We have addressed the dangers associated with teen driving many times here on the DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog. While awareness is important, awareness alone won't solve the problems associated with dangerous teen driving. Partners for Safe Teen Driving is a program that enables schools and communities to help their teens become safer drivers. The program was co-created by the Prince William County Public School System, the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, and the Virginia Association of Driver Education and Traffic Safety. Four school systems in Virginia have already implemented successful programs based on the step-by-step approach outlined on the partnership website, and taken steps toward improving the safety of their roads and their teenagers.
Continue Reading...The holiday season is a period of increased highway travel for many metro area families, and also a season of unpredictable inclement winter weather. Before you take to the roads this winter, take time to familiarize yourself with the following winter driving safety tips, courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
Continue Reading...This holiday season will bring an increase in highway travel as metro area residents commute to family gatherings and embark on shopping trips. Unfortunately, that increased traffic is also projected to bring a corresponding increase in traffic accidents and fatalities. More than 900 people currently die on Virginia's highways each year -- an average of three per day. In response, the Virginia Deprtment of Transportation (VDOT), the Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) have created and co-sponsored the website SafeVAHighways.Org -- an educational effort to slow the state's escalating fatality rate and save lives.
Continue Reading...As recently reported by the Washington Post, another tragic accident has claimed the lives of four local teenagers. The high school basketball players were returning home from shooting baskets after school. Three of the teens were declared dead at the accident site, another died the following morning. Only one of the passengers survived the crash.
A deadly combination of speed, inexperience, distraction, and illegal passengers stopped these young lives. According to the police, the driver was speeding when he veered onto the shoulder of the road, then overcorrected, causing the car to spin and slide sideways into the path of an oncoming vehicle. None of the occupants were wearing seat belts. Loud music was blaring from the car's speakers. The 16-year-old driver had just obtained his license only a couple of months prior to the accident. A 2005 Maryland law prohibits teenage drivers from having anyone under 18 in the car with them for the first five months after obtaining a license.
Teenage driving is inherently dangerous, for exactly the reasons that caused this accident. Parents and their teenagers should use an incident like this as an opportunity to review their family ground rules for driving. We have previously provided a number of articles to assist parents in reinforcing safe driving habits for their children.
We've written at length on the DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog about helmet safety and the importance of bicycle helmets -- your best protection from head injury in the event of an accident. Headlights and taillights help prevent dangerous accidents, however, by making your bicycle more visible, and illuminating obstacles in your path. Thanks to the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA) and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), you can outfit your bicycle with headlights and taillights free of charge this November 2nd and November 9th.
Continue Reading...The Washington Post offers common sense advice for Halloween travelers and revelers.
Getting Around on Halloween
"Some good advice for motorists and for trick or treaters everywhere, compiled by the Maryland State Highway Administration:
For Drivers
-- Stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks and intersections.
-- Motorists should exercise extra caution during peak trick-or-treating hours between 4 and 9 p.m.
-- Slow down and obey the speed limit and all traffic signs/signals in residential neighborhoods.
-- Enter and exit driveways slowly.
-- Be alert for children crossing and darting across the street.
-- Watch for children crossing between parked cars.
-- Always look out for pedestrians, especially before turning at a green light or making a right turn on red.
-- When driving children to trick-or-treat or to a costume party, make sure all seat belts are fastened and let children out of the car on the curbside.
For Pedestrians
-- Cross at marked crosswalks and intersections.
-- Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.
-- Be sure to see and be seen. Avoid dark clothing, wear bright colors and use reflective devices.
-- Avoid costumes that may impair vision.
-- Make eye contact with drivers when crossing the street.
-- Stay alert and be on the look out for cars traveling above the speed limit.
Taxis
The Washington Regional Alcohol Program says the Halloween SoberRide program will be operating from 8 p.m. on to 4 a.m. to assist those who have been over served in getting home during this high-risk period.
People 21 and older who need the service can call the toll-free SoberRide phone number (1-800-200-TAXI) and get a ride home home at no cost up to what would otherwise have been a $50 fare.
Some D.C. taxi drivers are likely to be on strike today in a protest against the plan to convert the fare system from zones to meters. SoberRide expects that there still will be enough available to make the program work. But the strike is something to keep in mind if you intend to go bar hopping. It may be difficult to hail a cab on the street afterward."
Thanks to a change in Daylight Savings Time, trick-or-treaters will be made safer by an extra hour of evening light this year. A lack of light on Halloween evening isn't the only danger posed to young ghosts and goblins, however -- many injuries each year stem from trips and falls attributed to unsafe costumes. When planning your child's costume (or your own) this year, keep in mind the following advice, courtesy of Consumer Reports:
Continue Reading...Each year, we post new Halloween health and safety tips here on the DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog, but the basic dangers related to Halloween festivities tend to remain the same. Following are some good, common sense tips for a safe celebration, courtesy of the American Red Cross:
Continue Reading...We've covered youth drinking before on the D.C. Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog, but the subject bears repeating: one of the most effective things parents can do to protect their children is to communicate with them about alcohol. On its website for underage drinking prevention, the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) advises parents that while all teens can be harmed by alcohol use, the following risk factors put some teens at exceptional risk of alcohol-related problems:
Continue Reading...The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in conjunction with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has kicked off a one-week campaign called "Operation Safe Driver." The event, which runs from October 21 - 28, is designed to prevent trucking accidents, which are caused by negligent commerical drivers and negligent non-commercial drivers, alike. The objectives of the campaign are as follows:
Continue Reading...We recently posted safety tips for trick-or-treaters here on the DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog, but adults play a significant role in making Halloween safe, as well. Following are some simple suggestions from the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) on making your home and neighborhood a safer place this Halloween evening:
Continue Reading...October 22 - 26 is School Bus Safety Week. We have previously covered school bus safety on the DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog, but this annual safety event is a good opportunity to remind readers that a school bus is no playground. Following are some helpful general safety tips for kids who commute by school bus, courtesy of the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT):
Continue Reading...The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced a new federal initiative to develop multi-state interstate highway corridors, including truck-only lanes, to decrease congestion and prevent truck accidents along six interstate routes, including Interstate 95, from Florida to the Canadian border. Interstate 70, terminating at Baltimore, will also receive federal funding for improvements.
Continue Reading...The price of an automobile doesn't always correlate to its safety rating, according to a recent news release from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The organization issues ratings of "Good," "Acceptable," "Marginal," and "Poor" following crash tests in which a weighted frame approximating a large SUV or truck strikes the parked vehicle on the driver's side at a speed of 31 miles per hour. Side impacts are the second most fatal type of crash -- frontal collisions are generally the most deadly.
Continue Reading...New RAND Corporation research reveals that drivers over 65 years of age are 16% more likely than the average adult driver to cause an accident, but as a group, they're not the most dangerous -- drivers under 24 years of age are 188% more likely to cause an accident.
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