Data from the National Highway Safety Administration show that over three quarters of motor vehicle accidents are caused by driver inattention, and cell phone use is the number one cause of inattention on the road. In January, the National Safety Council called for states to ban cell phone use while…
The Insurance Research Council (IRC) predicts that nearly one in six drivers will be uninsured by next year, an increase of 3 million uninsured drivers compared to five years ago. Some experts say that higher rates of uninsured drivers correlate with higher rates of unemployment and increased stress on budgets.…
The Boston Globe recently reported on so-called safekeeping towing practices in which officers tow vandalized cars to protect them from further damage or theft. It happened recently to Ashley Bitar, when her 2009 Mazda was vandalized outside her apartment in South Boston. The pharmaceutical sales rep had to go on…
On Monday, the Massachusetts house and Senate approved a new bill that would penalize drivers who do not slow down or move over while driving past emergency vehicles providing roadside assistance. If passed, drivers will receive a $100 fine for failing to comply. According to a spokesperson for AAA Southern…
With winter descending on New England along with the threat of weather-related auto crashes, some drivers are taking a proactive stance against the hazards of ice-covered roads by enrolling in driver skills development programs. Programs like the In Control driving school, which offers classes in South Weymouth, North Andover, Seekonk,…
A recent editorial in the Wakefield Observer by Colonel Mark F. Delaney, superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police emphasized the importance of wearing a seat belt. It cited the fact that although research shows that seat belts can avert severe injuries or death in a car crash, about a third…
As the holidays approach, many drivers will be decking out their vehicles with Christmas trees, decorative reindeer antlers, or holiday wreaths. The Boston Globe recently reported on the safety and legality of such items. According to their article, it is legal to strap a Christmas tree or other seasonal items…
According to the Massachusetts’ Registry of Motor Vehicles, the number of registered motorcyclists increased by 12 percent in 2006 (the most recent year for which data is available). A state Department of Public Health report for 2006 released earlier this year states that 55 motorcyclists died in Massachusetts as the…
Officials are Lowell, Massachusetts are concerned about the number of traffic accidents at Lowell intersections and are looking for ways to fix the problem. The Massachusetts Highway Department’s 2008 study of car accidents in Massachusetts found that Lowell has the number one and number three intersections with the most car…
Out of concern for police officers and tow truck drivers who have been injured or killed on the side of the highway, Massachusetts legislators have called for new legislation called the “Move Over Law.” Sponsored by State Representative Christine E. Canavan, of Brockton, the law would require highway drivers to…