Distracted Driving–Texting While Driving
421,000 people were injured by distracted drivers in 2012. 5 seconds is the average amount of time your eyes are off the road typing or reading a text message. Traveling 55 mph, 5 seconds is the time it takes to travel the length of a football field. These statistics were compiled by the federal government. Read More
Ford Settles Accident Caused by Defective Tires
A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit against Ford that alleged defects in tires on the Ford Bronco II were a substantial factor in a crash that left a Montana man paralyzed and with cognitive impairment. The Great Falls (Mont.) Tribune reports terms of the settlement with Bryan Mizenko have been sealed. Last month, Read More
Video about the Dangers of Texting and Driving Presented by National Organizations for Youth Safety
This video entitled “The Last Text” is very powerful. https://www.schooltube.com/video/4386d84344d2a7345c5e/ATT-The-Last-Text-Docum
Should School Buses Have Seat Belts?
The vast majority of school buses in our country are not equipped with seat belts. A lawsuit in Indiana over a fatal school bus accident is accusing a school bus manufacturer of producing an unsafe bus due to the lack of seatbelts. https://www.indystar.com/article/20120319/NEWS02/203190344/Lawsuit-in-fatal-school-bus-crash-focuses-on-seat-belts?odyssey=tab|mostpopular|text|NEWS
New Year; New Commitment to End Distracted Driving
According to the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Safety Administration, more than 3,000 peopled died in crashes related to distracted driving in 2010. Everyone should make a 2012 New Year’s Resolution to put away their cell phones while driving.
Online Media Mislead Readers About Jury Awards, Report Says
The Center for Justice & Democracy has published a report claiming that digital media has skewed the public’s perception of civil cases by covering only the most sensational, and sometimes frivolous, outcomes. The center’s executive director said that online media’s short bursts of news with quick headlines “commonly emphasize large monetary awards, which do not Read More
While Assailing Driving Distractions, Automakers Pack in Tempting Gadgets
While auto companies are launching ad campaigns encouraging drivers to eliminate distractions while behind the wheel, many are also rolling out new vehicle models with cutting-edge technology that support multitasking while driving. Critics and safety officials say auto companies are highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in hopes to avoid scrutiny of their built-in systems. Read More
City of North Little Rock to Save Costs with LED Road Lights but at What “Cost” to Motorists?
The city of North Little Rock has projected that it will save nearly $240,000 over a 20 year period by installing LED lighting on parts of Interstates 30 and 40 within the city limits. In theory, LED lights should better illuminate roadways for motorists than existing high-pressure sodium light bulbs. However, valid concerns exist because Read More
Interesting Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Article on Speed Limits & Fatality Rates in Arkansas
On Monday, August 1, 2010, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ran an article entitled “Speed-limit rise not on state radar.” I thought this article provided some interesting data regarding the correlation between speed and traffic fatalities. A 1996 study of the Arkansas Highway Commission found that when the speed limit was lowered from 75 mph to 55 Read More
Drunk Driving: A Deadly Problem in Arkansas
Drunk Driving is a deadly but preventable problem in Arkansas. In 2009, the most recent year for which information and statistics are available, 36% of all traffic fatalities in Arkansas involved alcohol. Of the 211 traffic fatalities involving alcohol in Arkansas in 2009, nearly 80% involved a driver or pedestrian with a blood alcohol content Read More