Driver Safety

October 27, 2015

Will Boston Cyclists Be Allowed to Ride Through Stop Signs and Red Lights?

Following San Francisco’s lead, Boston cycling advocates are discussing whether cyclists should have to come to a complete stop at stop signs. San Francisco’s supporters of the so-called Idaho stops – the state legalized them in the 1980s – may actually see their wishes become reality. But Boston’s another story. It’s no big secret that many cyclists already breeze through stop signs and lights, and there are rarely consequences. However, this is exactly the reason that Boston’s law isn’t likely to change any time soon. It’s just not a priority. Police in San Francisco have been actively cracking down on these “rolling stops.” Cyclists took to the streets, protesting the practice and also creating the perfect opportunity for a policy change. Contact a Boston injury attorney for more information.

According to Doug Johnson, a community organizer for the Boston Cyclists Union, the union would “definitely support” Idaho stops, with certain exceptions for busy or dangerous intersections. “We think, if implemented properly … it would have no adverse effect on safety,” said Johnson. “Most intersections that have stop signs right now have low traffic volume and low traffic speed.” On the topic of allowing cyclists to continue riding through red lights after making a complete stop, Johnson was less certain. “It would be a lot more complicated to implement,” he said. Although he went on to say that the union would “potentially” get behind it. Continue reading

October 23, 2015

Preparing for Winter-Weather Travel in New England

by Altman & Altman

Fall in New England. It can be sunny and warm one day and bitter cold and snowing the next. It’s also the perfect time to begin preparing for snowy and icy roads. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of fatalities in winter storms. There are steps you can take to significantly reduce your risk of serious injury or death in a weather-related auto accident. Some of these steps involve specific behaviors, such as defensive driving, while others involve preparing the vehicle itself. Read on for tips to make your winter driving experiences safe and enjoyable. Contact a Boston injury lawyer for more information.

Safe Driving Tips for Winter

Prepare your vehicle for winter travel. Make sure headlights are working, and that brakes and tires are in good working order.
Stock your trunk with emergency supplies, such as a flashlight, bottled water, blankets, and flares.
Before leaving on any trip, whether your destination is eight hours away or just around the corner, familiarize yourself with weather conditions. Listen to the radio for announcements about road closings, accidents, and weather advisories.
Plan your route before you leave, and tell someone the route you are taking. This way, if you become stranded, your family or friends can tell authorities where you are most likely to be.
Refrain from slamming on the brakes, taking sharp turns, and making sudden movements. Drive slowly enough that you can brake carefully and anticipate turns, lane changes, and stops.
On the other hand, don’t drive too If there is heavy snow on the roadways, you will need to keep up the momentum in order to push through and avoid becoming stuck.
Always remember that bridges freeze first. Before reaching any bridge, slow down and avoid sudden lane changes, slamming on the brakes, or accelerating too quickly.
Avoid large trucks as much as possible. Trucks are significantly heavier than cars and they need ample room for coming to stops. Additionally, truck tires often spray snow and rain, which can further reduce visibility.
Although four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles are the safest option in adverse weather conditions, don’t get overly confident. These types of vehicles are actually heavier than their two-wheel drive counterparts. While the increased traction helps your car get going again after a stop, it does not increase your ability to brake.
When rain, snow, and fog are present, always keep your headlights on. This allows you to see more clearly and makes your vehicle more visible to other drivers.
Driving in adverse weather conditions is inherently risky. The best way to avoid weather-related accidents is to avoid driving when conditions are bad. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. If, however, you utilize safe driving practices and have taken the necessary steps to prepare your vehicle, you can substantially reduce your risk of serious injury or death.

October 20, 2015

Are Apps Like Uber and Lyft Making Boston Cabbies Obsolete?

by Altman & Altman

In Boston and Cambridge, taxi drivers must purchase a permit in order to legally operate as a taxi. These “medallions,” as they’re called, used to fetch a hefty price. In fact, as recently as 2014, some taxi drivers were paying nearly $700,000 for the privilege to pick up and transport customers. Many cabbies actually took out mortgages to finance the high cost of the medallions. The high price may come as a surprise, but up until recently it was well worth it. The permits exist in order to cap the amount of cabbies working in one particular city. The cap on medallions provided an opportunity for many cabbies to make serious money. But all that is changing.

As apps such as Uber and Lyft begin to dominate the ride-hailing industry, Boston’s taxi drivers are having trouble making payments on their mortgaged medallions. Banks have started foreclosing on delinquent loans, and Boston’s last four medallions sold were auctioned off at nearly half last year’s price.

According to a spokeswoman for the Boston Taxi Drivers Association, Donna Blythe-Shaw, this is just the beginning of an onslaught of foreclosure sales. “I’m surprised there’s not more,” said Blythe-Shaw. “They’re all drowning in these mortgages on these valueless medallions. They’re drowning and no one cares.”

This Year’s Medallions Selling for Half of Last Year’s Market Price

Voluntary sales of medallions have plummeted compared to last year. In the first quarter of this year, only 10 medallions were sold, and one of those was a foreclosure sale. Then the sales stagnated entirely until late August when another foreclosure was auctioned off for $310,000. Just last year, the average medallion sold for $666,547.

In addition to the inability of many cabbies to make mortgage payments on their medallions, their sudden loss of value is just pouring salt on the wound. Hundreds of cabbies are saddled with hefty mortgages on almost valueless medallions. And it seems to have happened almost overnight.

State lawmakers are discussing various methods to regulate the ride-hailing business while simultaneously stabilizing the taxi business. However, progress has been slow. A new bill from Gov. Charlie Baker seeks to allow companies like Uber and Lyft to operate with even more freedom and less oversight. On the other side of the spectrum, cabbies and some lawmakers would like to see the ride-hailing app drivers treated the same as cab drivers. Continue reading

September 30, 2015

Can Drowsy Driving Result in Negligent Homicide Charges?

by Altman & Altman

Drowsy driving is associated with an estimated 100,000 vehicle collisions per year in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that approximately 71,000 injuries and 1,500 fatalities annually are caused by drivers falling asleep at the wheel. In 1997, Washington state proposed a bill allowing a driver who causes a fatal accident due to falling asleep behind the wheel, to be charged with ‘sleeping-driver homicide’ as a gross misdemeanor. Although that particular bill failed, other similar bills have since passed. Particularly in the past five years, with the dangers of distracted driving in the spotlight, the issue of fatigued driving has been resurrected.

Current Fatigued Driving Laws Across the Country

Although many states penalize drowsy driving, it usually falls under general, unsafe driving laws, such as reckless driving. However, two states have specific ‘drowsy driving’ laws – New Jersey and Arkansas. New Jersey’s legislation considers anyone who has been driving without sleep for 24 hours to be driving recklessly, the same classification given to driving under the influence. Arkansas has a similar law. Parallel to Washington’s 1997 proposal, Arkansas legally considers fatigued driving to be negligent homicide, a Class A misdemeanor. New York has similar laws pending. Continue reading

September 24, 2015

Elderly Man Injured When He Lost Control of Vehicle at Wellesley Recycling Facility

by Altman & Altman

An elderly man from Wellesley, Massachusetts is in serious condition after being struck by his own vehicle Monday morning. The 70 year old man, who has yet to be identified by authorities, has possible internal injuries. Initial reports released for the accident indicate that the victim has injuries that are expected to be serious in nature. The exact extent and severity of these injuries was not immediately disclosed following the incident on Monday.

The unidentified victim became trapped underneath his own vehicle shortly after 11:30 AM on Monday morning. According to preliminary reports released by responding officers from the Wellesley Police Department, the victim had driven to the town’s Recycling and Disposal Facility in order to drop off some items. The man allegedly backed his vehicle into a spot at the Facility and attempted to put the emergency parking brake in place before exiting the vehicle. The immediate events prior to the accident were not made immediately clear by the victim or those issuing the report on the matter. But law enforcement officials believe that sometime after the victim exited his vehicle, either as he was in the process of exiting or immediately thereafter, he became aware of the fact that his vehicle had begun to roll forward. The man held onto the front door of the car in an effort to prevent it from moving forward any further, and it was at this time that he was knocked down. Continue reading

September 16, 2015

Uber and Lyft Could Soon See Tougher Regulations in The Commonwealth

by Altman & Altman

The popular rideshare service Uber could be facing heavy regulations following a hearing at the State House on Tuesday morning. The Financial Services Committee held a public hearing for a series of bills that would require Uber and similar ridesharing services to apply stronger regulations to their companies. Uber and another company by the name of Lyft have been facing serious backlash in recent months from members of the taxi service community—they feel as though the more popular ridesharing services are taking away revenue previously acquired by the taxi companies. The ongoing feud has been gaining more ground in recent times as taxi service employees want Uber drivers to be held to the same strict standards.

In a bill proposed by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, he calls for a reform that would require Uber drivers to undergo state criminal background checks. Governor Baker also proposes that insurance companies carry at $1 million in liability insurance for each ride provided by their company. Reports have indicated that Uber provides approximately 1 million rides per month in the Bay State area according to information provided by Uber. This number of rides being provided, while good for the company, is highlighting a growing need to ensure customer safety for those who choose to take the trendier option. Lawmakers who are in favor of heavier regulations for Uber and Lyft have stated that their call for stricter standards is based out of a growing need for guaranteeing public safety. Continue reading

September 10, 2015

With Farmer’s Almanac Predicting Another Tough Winter – Salt Deliveries Have Begun

by Altman & Altman

In spite of the fact that we have yet to officially move into the fall months, Boston Public Works are not wasting any time in their preparations for the winter to come. Starting on Thursday the city will begin welcoming new truckloads of salt to the Public Works site located on Frontage Road. The shipment arriving on Thursday will be the first of many as Boston prepares to brace themselves for another winter projected to mirror the brutal one it faced last year.

According to reports, the Public Works facility on Frontage Road received approximately 3,000 tons of salt from large dump trucks and is scheduled to receive an additional 9,000 tons of salt next week. Other facilities in surrounding cities had already begun to equip themselves with the necessary road salt they will need ahead of this forthcoming winter season.

The Farmer’s Almanac, popular for providing a longstanding tradition of projecting weather patterns for the upcoming seasons, has predicted that the Boston region should expect “above-average” snowfall this winter…again. Last year, areas of Massachusetts reached record setting numbers when they amassed over 110.6 inches of snow. The DPW supervisor for Boston, Daniel Nee, said he and his employees are still reeling from the lengthy workdays they experienced last year. He went on to say that between February and March of this last winter season, he worked 72 days straight. “Everyone was going 24/7, there was no rest.” Reports indicate that removal crews extracted roughly 40,000 truckloads worth of snow last year. Due to the impending Almanac prediction, public workers in the region are not taking their chances and are taking all necessary precautions. Continue reading

September 8, 2015

Ayer Man Escapes Life Threatening Injuries in Bizarre ATV Accident

by Altman & Altman

A 75 year old man from Ayer, Massachusetts sustained non-life threatening injuries after experiencing an accident on his all-terrain vehicle on Sunday, although some reports have suggested that the accident took place on Monday night. A clear distinction in the matter was not immediately made available by news agencies. The man seriously injured in the crash, who has been identified as Tom Bonnell, had been transporting a black bear he had hunted in the area at the time the accident took place.

According to preliminary reports released for the accident, New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation officers have stated that the incident occurred on Ossipee Mountain near Moultonborough, New Hampshire. Reports have indicated that Tom Bonnell was descending Ossipee Mountain when he lost control of his all-terrain vehicle, or ATV. The exact events leading up to the accident have not been provided at this time, but responding officers have stated that Bonnell’s ATV rolled over, causing his injuries. It was at this time that Bonnell had been propelled from his vehicle and onto the rough, sloping terrain of the mountain. Officials have indicated that Tom Bonnell had not been wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Continue reading

September 4, 2015

Woman Driving 100 MPH Crashes Car in VT – Causes Two Fatalities

by Altman & Altman

One woman’s reckless driving has caused a fatal crash in Vermont that took the lives of two people. The crash occurred Thursday at approximately 12:30 PM in Fonda Junction, Vermont along Route 7. Route 7, which is also known as St. Albans Road, had to be shut down for about six hours following the accident.

Investigators responding to the scene have stated that the driver of the vehicle that had been traveling erratically has been identified as 35 year old Maria Carlson of Swanton, Vermont. According to preliminary reports, Carlson had been driving her truck northbound along Route 7 when she lost control of her vehicle and crashed into a nearby telephone pole. Carlson did not stop there however. After hitting the telephone pole, Carlson drove through a neighboring yard and back out onto the road. Once she reached the road, she drove head-on into a car that had been driving past. Both individuals in that other vehicle were killed during this accident.

The victims have been identified as 68 year old Diane Bohannon and 67 year old Robert Benjamin, both of Alburg, Vermont. Diane Bohannon was driving the car at the time of the accident and was pronounced dead on scene. Robert Benjamin was transported to Northwest Medical Center where he died a short time later. Maria Carlson was treated for non-life threatening injuries following the crash. The extent and nature of her injuries was not made immediately available.

August 31, 2015

Back to School Safety Advisory: Ensure Kids Get To And From School Safely

by Altman & Altman

With the new school year beginning this week in many Massachusetts communities, Altman & Altman would like to pass along some valuable safety information and tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and remind all drivers, students and parents to make safety a priority this year.

NHTSA 41-15

“Students travel to school by a variety of means: school bus (the safest means of transportation to and from school), walking, bikes, public transportation, or in vehicles with family or friends. It is everyone’s responsibility to use caution and stay focused and alert around traffic to ensure children can travel to and from school safely.