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Volvo, one of the safest brands in car manufacturing, has recently proposed an idea that may not live up to their gleaming safety reputation. In their new XC90 Excellence Model, Volvo is introducing the idea of a car seat placed in the front seat of the car where the passenger seat once was. While the car seat is rear facing, the idea of having it placed in the front seat at all is an alarming idea for drivers who are also parents. The law has always been that children under the age of 12 are not allowed in the front seat of the vehicle, period. But Volvo believes they can challenge that idea with this new model.

A spokesperson for Volvo has said that the primary reason children under the age of 12 are prohibited from sitting in the front seat of the car is due to the fact that the passenger side of the vehicle contains an airbag. In the new XC90 model, Volvo has removed the front passenger airbag, therefore making it, to their standards, safe for the baby to be placed there. The spokesperson went on to say that the front seat of the car is just as safe as the rear seat of the car. But many people who have children are uneasy with that idea; mainly because they don’t find it, or know it, to be true. Continue reading

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“Motorcycles Are Everywhere” a common slogan boasted across bumper stickers and lawn signs throughout the surrounding area. The message was created in 1982 by former Cambridge resident Bob Doiron, a founder of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association. After retirement he passed along the idea to a motorcycle activist in Amesbury, MA by the name of Paul Cote. After receiving grants from the Plymouth Rock Assurance in 2007-2008, Cote was able to create the very signs urging caution for motorcycles you now see today. These signs and stickers were created in hopes of bringing awareness to the thousands of motorcyclists who take to the streets during the warmer weathered months; motorcyclists who face a great deal of danger from other vehicles driving along the same roads. Continue reading

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It may come as a surprise to learn that teens are more likely to fall asleep at the wheel than their older counterparts. As we age, our ability to quickly relax and fall asleep begins to decrease. However, in teens, this function is still alive and well. Unfortunately, it also makes young drivers vulnerable to falling asleep behind the wheel, especially if they get less than adequate sleep on a regular basis. While teens typically experience less sleep problems than older adults, common behaviors such as staying up late at night and getting up early for summer jobs can increase the risk of drowsy-driving in teens. Continue reading

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A general decrease in car accidents and vehicle related fatalities has been taking place in Massachusetts over the past six years or so. While some counties (Worcester and Plymouth primarily) are still experiencing fluctuating numbers between years, a steady overall decline seems to be developing. Most online records have not been updated since 2012-2013 but the graphs provided indicate that this is a trend that could realistically continue.

Car crashes, fatalities, and serious injuries stemming from car accidents have decreased substantially from 2010-2012. The statistics do show a slight increase in fatalities between 2010-2011, but then the numbers become lower again during the 2011-2012 time frame. The Massachusetts Government reports that the total number of car crashes between 2010 and 2012 has dwindled by as many as 8,317. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration similarly reported that in 2010 motor vehicle crashes resulted in the lowest number of fatalities since 1949. Continue reading

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How many times have you backed safely out of your driveway? Probably too many times to count or actively keep track of. While we all believe that we are commonly practicing safe driving habits, accidents can occur at any time. I was recently pulling out of my driveway and was putting my car in reverse while closing my garage door when a car raced down my street, thankfully I was able to apply my breaks in time, but it was close.  Accidents can happen in the most familiar areas.  Whether it is on a freeway, a local back road, or even your own driveway, unforeseen circumstances can contribute to misfortune. A local Quincy woman found out the hard way that perhaps the practices she was so familiar with weren’t safe enough. Continue reading

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If you are driving this July 4th weekend, whether it is locally or out-of-state, there are a few things you may need to observe in order to ensure your safety on the road. Times of celebration bring to mind more pleasant ideas than driver safety, but it is important to remember that holiday times tend to be some of the most dangerous times of the year in terms of road conditions.

In preparation for your road trip, there are essential things you can check on and within your vehicle to make sure that you are in a safe driving condition. The most basic item you could tick off your checklist first would be your tires. Checking your tire pressure before you take to the streets can be a key difference maker in terms of your fuel efficiency, and it can also play a vital role in your safety as well.

Another important item to check the quality of is your car’s battery. If you know that it has been awhile since you last replaced the battery in your car, it could be time to consider changing the battery for a new one. If you feel as though this can wait until you return from your trip, it would be a good idea to keep jumper cables handy in case you were to need them. In terms of driving, it is always better to be prepared for any possible circumstances that may arise. Continue reading

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We all know the dangers of texting and driving, but sometimes seeing the warning with our eyes has a bigger impact.

A PSA from 2014 resurfaced this week, making its rounds on social media and sending a chilling reminder to teens, parents and drivers everywhere of just how dangerous and deadly texting and driving can be.

Watch the video on YouTube here.

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Any type of auto accident can cause serious injury and even death, but those involving large trucks can be particularly devastating. Due to the sheer size and weight of a large truck (in excess of 10,000 pounds), accidents are far more likely to involve multiple car collisions and result in death.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) released a report in 2007 that highlighted the most common causes of truck accidents. The “Large Truck Causation Study” report is the first of its kind to examine the wide scope of factors that contribute to large commercial truck accidents. Using a nationwide sample of 967 crashes, researchers concluded that certain circumstances are most prevalent in truck accidents. Below is a list of the most common trucking accident causes, and their corresponding level of risk. Continue reading

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Vehicle crashes involving large trucks are responsible for over 5,000 fatalities annually in the United States. The person or people killed are almost always occupants of passenger vehicles – rarely the truck driver. Additionally, almost 150,000 people are injured every year in accidents involving large trucks. There are many causes of trucking accidents, including distracted driving, drug or alcohol use, and faulty equipment. However, one of the main contributing factors to large truck accidents is driver fatigue. Continue reading

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If you or someone you love was injured in a Boston sideswipe collision, you should speak with an experienced Massachusetts traffic accident lawyer right away. A sideswipe accident happens when the sides of two autos heading in the same direction end up striking one another, potentially causing serious injuries or death.

A sideswipe accident typically occurs when one driver changes lanes without checking to make sure there isn’t already a vehicle there. Distracted driving can also compel a motorist to unintentionally drift into the next lane without noticing until it’s too late. Driving while tired, talking on a cell phone, text messaging, or operating under the influence of alcohol and drugs can also cause sideswipe crashes.

Injuries from a sideswipe accident may be severe—especially as the bulk of protection found in vehicles are designated to deal with head-on and rear-end crashes, although having side-impact air bags can help. Still, in sideswipe crashes there is very little physical buffer between where the impact strikes a vehicle and the location of the passengers.

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