Washington Personal Injury Lawyer & Attorney : Regan Zambri & Long Law Firm : DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and partner

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has long advocated educating the public about the dangers of distracted driving and getting states to pass laws restricting cellphone calls and text messaging.  He emphasizes the need for personal responsibility on the part of all drivers. "We started this campaign three years ago when no one was taking about distracted driving." Now more states are passing laws aimed at reducing distracted driving. "We've made a lot of progress. This is our continued drumbeat." 

Newly proposed guidelines aimed at preventing distracted driving would eliminate "infotainment functions" while the car is moving.  In a recent phone conference with reporters, Secretary LaHood addressed the goals for these new rules:

• "Reduce complexity and task length required by the device.
• Limit device operation to one hand only (leaving the other hand to remain on the steering wheel).
• Limit individual off-road glances required for device operation to no more than two seconds.
• Limit unnecessary visual information in the driver's field of view.
• Limit the amount of manual inputs required for device operation."

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration administrator David Strickland emphasizes that NHTSA is not against technology, particularly GPS, but remarks, "We're trying to make sure if they are used in the vehicle, they are used in a safe way."

Hearings will be held around the country during the next few months about the new proposals.  Some manufacturers in the auto industry have already taken steps to limit a vehicle's electronic devices while the vehicle is moving in attempt to balance consumer safety with demand.  For example, many new vehicles will not allow the driver to enter a destination into a navigation device unless the vehicle is stopped.  According to the spokesperson for the Governors Highway Safety Association, “DOT is on the right path. We particularly like the guideline for disabling devices that text and surf the Internet."

Every year I give presentations to area schools and parents about distracted driving in an effort to teach young people the importance of driving carefully, and to empower them to be sure they do not allow others to drive while distracted, at least not while they are in the car.

If you or your child's school would like to know more about my presentation, please let me know. I of course do not charge a fee for it, as it is part of my volunteer community service program.

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. The association recently named him "Trial Lawyer of the Year" (2011). He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners. His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA. Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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WHERE U AT?                  LOL!                     YEAH!  

Are any of these messages worth dying for?  Are any texted conversations worth dying for?  Viewing these messages seems harmless, doesn't it?  However, the possible results of a driver being distracted long enough to send or read any of these messages can be devastating.  As AT&T's new documentary, "The Last Text" so powerfully demonstrates, one single text can end or change a life forever. 

Teens generally send 100+ text messages each day.  It's how they communicate.  Teens also expect practically instant responses to their messages.   Since they also see adults texting while driving, what can be wrong with it?   According to AT&T's "It Can Wait" campaign, 97% of teens know texting and driving is dangerous, but continue to text and drive "all the time."  As a matter of fact, 43% admit to doing so and 75% say texting and driving is common among their friends.  As we head into prom season, graduation and summer, also known as the "100 deadliest days for teen drivers on the road - the days between Memorial Day and Labor Day," the prevalence of texting and driving creates a potentially deadly combination. 

Listed below are some alarming statistics and highlights from the AT&T Teen Driver Survey:

• "Peer Pressure: Almost all teens (89 percent) expect a reply to a text or email within five minutes or less.
• Knowledge but Little Action: 75 percent of teens say texting while driving is very dangerous – but 43 percent admit to doing so.
• “Gateway” Dangers: 70 percent of teens believe texting while stopped at a red light is dangerous.
  • Still, 60 percent of teens admit to texting at a red light and 73 percent admit to glancing at their phone at a red light.
  • 61 percent of teens say they glance at their phone while driving, and 61 percent have seen their friends read or send an email, or text, while driving.
• Learning by Example: According to 77 percent of teens, adults tell kids not to text while driving – yet adults do it themselves “all the time.”
  • 41 percent of teens report seeing their parents read or send an email, or text, while driving.
  • Still, 89 percent of teenagers say their own parents are good role models in terms of not texting while driving.
  • And, 62 percent of teens feel that getting reminders from their own parents not to text and drive would be effective in getting them or their friends to stop texting and driving.
• Minority Disparities: Hispanic teens (54 percent) are more likely to admit to the practice of texting while driving than Caucasian (41 percent) and African-American (42 percent) teens.
  • Hispanic teens (52 percent) also are more likely to report seeing their parents text while driving, compared to 38 percent of Caucasian teens and 44 percent of African-American teens who reported seeing their parents text while driving.
• What Helps Lessen the Urge: 89 percent of teens said a phone app to prevent texting & driving – like AT&T DriveModeTM – would be an effective way to get them or their friends to stop texting and driving. AT&T DriveModeTM provides a customizable auto-reply message notifying friends that the user is driving and will respond when it is safe."

While it may be convenient to convince yourself that multi-tasking is not so difficult, driving should never be mixed with any other activity.  Too many unpredictable things can happen when driving while distracted.  Why complicate an already-challenging task by adding an unnecessary layer of risk?  It's just not worth it.  And, yes, that message CAN wait.  

Every year I give presentations to area schools and parents about distracted driving in an effort to teach young people the importance of driving carefully, and to empower them to be sure they do not allow others to drive while distracted, at least not while they are in the car.

If you or your child's school would like to know more about my presentation, please let me know. I of course do not charge a fee for it, as it is part of my volunteer community service program.

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. The association recently named him "Trial Lawyer of the Year" (2011). He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners. His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA. Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and partner

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak at the Carver Educational Center in Montgomery County, Maryland about the Consequences of Distracted  Driving.   This presentation was recorded and is scheduled to be rebroadcast on Montgomery County Public School TV on the following channels and dates: 

• Comcast Channel 34, Verizon Channel 36, RCN Channel 89
• Saturdays at 10:00 am  
  
  • March 31 
  • April 7  
  • April 14 
  • April 21
  • April 28
• Sundays at 10:00 am and 8:00 pm 
  
  • April 1
  • April 8 
  • April 15 
  • April 22
  • April 29

Every year I give presentations to area schools and parents about distracted driving in an effort to teach young people the importance of driving carefully, and to empower them to be sure they do not allow others to drive while distracted, at least not while they are in the car.

If you or your child's school would like to know more about my presentation, please let me know. I of course do not charge a fee for it, as it is part of my volunteer community service program.

Do you have any questions about this post?

About the author:

Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. The association recently named him "Trial Lawyer of the Year" (2011). He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a "Big Gun" and among the "top 1%" of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as "one of Washington's best--most honest and effective lawyers" who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners. His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA. Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a "Super Lawyer" by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)-- national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at szambri@reganfirm.com or call him at 202-822-1899.

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Posted by Salvatore J. Zambri, founding partner

Proms are supposed to be fun.  All too often, though, they end in tragedy.  By combining common sense and advance planning, proms can be both fun and safe. As we have written during previous prom seasons, a primary emphasis for both parents and their teens should be safety.  Having lives shattered or ended is hardly the way that anyone would want to remember their prom.

In spite of all the cautions and warnings available now, the primary cause of death and injury for teenagers is motor vehicle accidents, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  Alcohol is the number one youth drug problem, per the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) and kills six times more people than all other illicit drugs combined.

Listed below are our earlier postings that provide prom advice:

• Senior Prom Safety Tips for Teens
• Prom Safety Tips for Parents and Teens
• Prom Safety Tips: Common Sense Advice

Listed below are more safety tips, courtesy of www.ourpromnight.com.

"Parents, make sure that your children are safe on prom night. There are so many drug and alcohol related accidents on prom night that is is critical for you to be aware of what you can do to help keep your children safe.

• Know who is driving to the prom and who will be a passenger.
• Limit the number of passengers to increase safety and reduce driver distractions.
• Encourage seatbelt use: The best accessory!
• Know the location of post prom parties and who is sponsoring them.
• Talk to your teenager about the serious dangers and consequences of underage drinking and driving.
• If your child's plans change, confirm the change with the parents of other children.
• Remind your child that you are there for them if they need a ride home or to an after prom affair.
• Alcohol is illegal for persons under the age of twenty-one. Underage drinking is illegal and can result in arrest, injury, or worse!
• Don't let friends drink and drive.
• Plan ahead - make sure you have a safe plan for prom night.
• Discuss your plans with your friends, remind each other about responsible decision-making and confronting peer pressure.
• Do not accept any drinks from someone you do not know.
• If you leave your drink, discard it and get a new one.
• Do not leave your possessions unattended.
• Learn the warning signs for alcohol poisoning and drug intoxication, contact 911 for assistance and immediate treatment.
   

Teens, take responsibility and plan your prom night. This will be an important night to remember as you grow old in age. Make this night a joyous night to remember by thinking about and following these few tips before you leave the house for the prom that evening.

• Alcohol is illegal for persons under the age of twenty-one. Underage drinking is illegal and can result in arrest, injury, or worse!
• Don't let friends drink and drive.
• Plan ahead - make sure you have a safe plan for prom night.
• Discuss your plans with your friends, remind each other about responsible decision-making and confronting peer pressure.
• Do not accept any drinks from someone you do not know.
• If you leave your drink, discard it and get a new one.
• Do not leave your possessions unattended.
• Learn the warning signs for alcohol poisoning and drug intoxication, contact 911 for assistance and immediate treatment.
• Take extra money or have a responsible person available for transportation for a safe ride home or in case an emergency arises.
• Remember to charge your cell phone and have it with you.
• Know where you are and where you are going, keep your parents and friends informed.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel endangered or uncomfortable, leave immediately.
• Intoxication by alcohol or drugs can lead to poor judgment and dangerous situations.
• Remember to contact your parents if your plans change. Practice and discuss answers you can use to get out of uncomfortable situations.
• Do not allow anyone in your car or limo that has drugs or weapons.
• It is dangerous and every one in the car is at risk of getting arrested.
• It is illegal to alter your drivers' license or any other form of government identification."

Have a wonderful time if attending a prom, but be careful.  Don't jeopardize your future or the lives of others.  The prom should be a celebration of past accomplishments and the promise of the future.  Please enjoy the celebration responsibly.

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