Articles Posted in Driver Safety

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 driving, even going as far as banning hands-free devices. According to the Safety Council, the level of distraction while talking on a hands-free device is no different from talking on a headset. In fact, it’s not the act of holding a cell phone that is distracting – it’s having a conversation with someone who’s not in the car.

Several states enforce hefty fines for drivers using cell phones on the road. In fact, Chicago Police have issued over 40,000 tickets to drivers who violated the cell phone ban. Last week, the fine increased from $75 to $100, but some are concerned that this still may not deter drivers from using cell phones.

Time to Hang It Up: New Cell Fine May Not Help, Chicago Sun-Times, February 16, 2009 Continue reading

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.

According to IRC’s vice president, David Corum, the percentage of uninsured motorists increases three-quarters of a percentage point for every one percent increase in unemployment. Insurance companies warn against cutting car insurance to cut costs, because an auto accident could financially ruin an uninsured driver if there is damage to property or injury to others involved with the car accident.

According to IRC, the average payment on claims involving a driver without insurance is around $11,000. Some states will take license plates or impound vehicles of a motorist who drives without insurance. Some even jail those who do not comply with the law.

Several states have reached rates of uninsured drivers as high as quarter of the population. However, as of 2007, Massachusetts had the lowest of uninsured drivers, with about one percent.

Road hazard: uninsured driver rates climb, Associated Press, February 6, 2009 Continue reading

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 her morning sales calls, so she taped up the broken window and drove off. But several hours later, she discovered that her car had disappeared outside of a client’s office on Massachusetts Avenue.

Police told her the car had been towed for “safekeeping,” but she would have to pay a towing bill and storage fee amounting to $132. Boston police said they are not at liberty to reduce or waive towing fees, because towing regulations treat car vandalism victims in the same manner as those drivers who break the law. Sometimes safekeeping tows are ordered to prevent a drunk driver from getting behind the wheel.

However, drivers can request reimbursement for towing fees from their insurance companies when they file a vandalism claim.

Towing for safety has its costs, Boston Globe, January 25, 2009 Continue reading

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 New England, 44 states across the United States already have a similar bill in place. AAA began supporting the “move over bill” after two of its tow truck drivers died in a roadside accident on Route 495 in Norton.

The State Police Association of Massachusetts has also publicly supported the bill, in part because in the last two months five state troopers have been injured by cars as they provided assistance along the side of the road.

The legislation has been sent to Governor Deval Patrick, who must sign, veto, or amended the bill before Christmas Day.

Legislature gives final approval to ‘Move Over’ bill, WickedLocal.com, December 16, 2008 Continue reading

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, Worcester, and Cape Cod, teach experienced and beginning driver advanced accident avoidance techniques.

One way to lower the risk of a traffic accident during implement weather is to leave proper space between cars. Leaving one car length for every 10mph will, unfortunately, not allow enough space to prevent a car collision. Instead, instructors recommend that drivers notice when the vehicle ahead passes a landmark alongside the road and ensure that they take a minimum of three second to pass the same object.

This past weekend, under a light dusting of snow, a driver and a state trooper sustained injuries in unrelated car crashes, underscoring the importance of driver safety, particularly during the winter months.

Trooper, Driver Injured In Snowy Crashes, The Boston Channel, December 7, 2008 Continue reading

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 of Massachusetts drivers don’t buckle up.

Another trend cited is the fact that teenagers are less likely to comply with seat belt laws. In fact, the article states that compliance among teenagers fell by 10% this year.

In order to combat this troubling trend, the Massachusetts State Police local police departments enforced seat belt usage during their “Click It or Ticket” campaign this past fall. As part of the program, the state police added 464 extra patrols throughout the state, and when officers pulled over drivers, they checked to see that all of the vehicle’s occupants were wearing seat belts.

Tackling seat belt safety, WickedLocal.com, December 6, 2008 Continue reading

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 (excluding lights) to the roof of your car. However, it cannot obstruct your view of the road or block headlights, turning lights, or brake lights, as such obstructions could potentially cause an auto accident. Drivers may be subject to a $35 fine for “impeded operation” of a car.

Massachusetts state law does restrict the height and width of all vehicles. The limit on vehicle height is 13 feet 6 inches and width is 8 feet 6 inches, which also applies to items lie mattresses, bicycles, furniture, and, in the case of hunters, game kill.

Loads may also extend up to 4 feet beyond the rear of a car. Drivers must attach a red light, cloth, or flag to the end of the load if it exceeds 4 feet. The article continues to describe the insurance implications if your load becomes unattached and causes a traffic accident.

Inside scoop on what can go outside, Boston Globe, November 23, 2008 Continue reading

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 result of injuries suffered during a motorcycle accident.

In response to the increasing popularity of motorcycles in Massachusetts, the Rockport Ambulance Association is sponsoring an all-day training session on motorcycle safety. The November 16 course is free to the public and open to all Cape Ann residents. Emergency personnel who choose to complete the course will receive continuing education credits upon payment of $55.

The goal of this course is to reduce motorcyclist accident fatalities and the severity of injuries by teaching proper actions and reactions. Participants will learn how to secure a crash scene, how to assess the emergency medical safety factors, and how motorcyclists can protect themselves legally and financially. The course will also discuss injuries that are commonly associated with motorcycle accidents. Call 978-546-9589 to register for the “Crash Course for the Motorcyclist.”

Rise in riders prompts ‘crash course for motorcyclists’ in Rockport, Gloucester Times, October 31, 2008 Continue reading

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 crashes. It also has two more intersections that were listed in the top 20 and 10 that were listed in the top 200.

Between 2004 and 2006, Lowell had 1,1133 car accidents at its 14 most dangerous intersections, resulting in 328 injuries and three deaths. Lowell is the fourth largest city in Massachusetts with 100,000 people, so the volume of traffic it handles is another concern.

Over the next four years, MassHighway plans to spend $42 million on projects that will improve Lowell intersections. These projects include creating a pedestrian bridge over Thorndike Street, improving traffic signals, and bettering or replacing bridges. In addition, the Lowell police are ticketing drivers who rush into intersections and block oncoming traffic and setting up sobriety checkpoints in an effort to make sure that drivers to follow the law.

Lowell looks to put brakes on traffic accidents, Boston Globe, October 30, 2008 Continue reading

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 move out of the right lane if emergency vehicle lights are flashing.

For instance, Massachusetts state trooper was hit by a 2008 Nissan Maxima while the trooper was stopped in a breakdown lane near Newton, Massachusetts, investigating a car crash. The impact of the collision sent the trooper through the windshield of the Nissan.

Fortunately, the trooper survived the car accident, but the incident does reinforce the need for legislation. A fatal breakdown lane accident occurred in 2004, when two tow truck drivers were hit and killed along Interstate 495 in Brockton.

According to Move Over America, a coalition of national law enforcement agencies who are favor of the new law, forty-three states have already passed similar legislation.

‘Move Over Law’ sought after trooper struck, Boston Globe, October 19, 2008 Continue reading