Atlanta, Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer
Atlanta personal injury lawyer blog
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Georgia Snow Driving Safety Tips
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Drink Responsibly this New Year’s Eve
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tire Blowout Kills Two on I-20 in Atlanta
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Better Feedback, Better Drivers?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Top 10 Non-Traffic Car Injuries
Monday, October 5, 2009
Georgia G-TACT Program Targets Aggressive Cars and Trucks
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tractor Trailer Blind Spot Locations - No Zones
Monday, June 8, 2009
Auto Accidents and Cell Phones
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sleep Deprivation Blamed for Georgia Tractor Trailer Accident Fatality
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Study of Distracted Drivers
Car wrecks leading cause of death for those under 35
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Volvo working on crashless car
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Sturdier Cars Slow Rescuers
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Safe Driving Suggestions - Breaks fail
Safe Driving Suggestions - Blownout Tire
Suggestions on coping with aggressive drivers
Safe Driving Suggestions - Earthquakes
Safe Driving Suggestions - Floods
Safe Driving Suggestions - Hail Storms
The snow is on its way to Atlanta, folks! At least, that’s what the meteorologists keep telling us.
Now, everybody knows that native Georgians don’t see much snow. Georgia drivers are often at a loss when it snows and roads ice over. According to FEMA, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death during winter storms.
Here are some Georgia Snow Driving Safety Tips to keep you and your family safe:
First of all, if you can avoid driving, then don’t drive! Try to stock up on all necessities (bread, milk, batteries, etc.) before the snow falls. The best way to avoid an accident is to stay off the roads.
If you must drive, check your tires before you start the engine. They should all have good treads and be properly inflated. Cold weather often causes a drop in air pressure inside your tires.
Most drivers in Georgia don’t have snow chains, but if you have them, use them.
Make sure you have at least a half tank of gas. You don’t want to run out of gas and get stuck on the side of the road during a winter storm. Make sure that your heater and wiper blades work, too!
Check the road reports on TV or radio before you leave. Some roads may be closed or congested.
Prepare a snow kit for your car. Here’s what you’ll need: ice scraper, broom, small shovel, bag of sand or kitty litter (for traction, in case you get stuck), blankets, flashlight, flares, first aid kit, jumper cables, “help” sign, cell phone and cell phone charger.
If you happen to break down or get stuck in the snow, stay inside your car and try to keep warm. Call for help or put a “help” sign in the window. Be sure to keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow and ice to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. If you have limited gas, run the car for about 15 minutes every hour to keep it from freezing over. Bundle up and try to stay warm. Move around and do simple exercise to increase body heat.
Do not speed! Give yourself plenty of time to make your trip. If you have to drive to work in the snow, your boss will understand if you’re late. (Hopefully!) Driving too fast is the main cause of accidents on icy roads. Take your time, and be extra careful going around turns and curves.
Be wary of “black ice” which often appears in shady areas. Slow down when driving through shaded areas and over bridges.
When behind the wheel, avoid sudden movements. Be gentle with the pedals and the steering wheel.
Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and others. You never know when a car may start sliding.
Be alert! Watch out for other vehicles and icy spots. Don't take your eyes off the road. (Put those cell phones down while you're driving!)
Again, the best way to avoid an accident is to stay off the road. If the roads ice over, take the day off work if you can. Plan some snow day activities, and try to relax and enjoy some time at home with the family.
Now, everybody knows that native Georgians don’t see much snow. Georgia drivers are often at a loss when it snows and roads ice over. According to FEMA, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death during winter storms.
Here are some Georgia Snow Driving Safety Tips to keep you and your family safe:
First of all, if you can avoid driving, then don’t drive! Try to stock up on all necessities (bread, milk, batteries, etc.) before the snow falls. The best way to avoid an accident is to stay off the roads.
If you must drive, check your tires before you start the engine. They should all have good treads and be properly inflated. Cold weather often causes a drop in air pressure inside your tires.
Most drivers in Georgia don’t have snow chains, but if you have them, use them.
Make sure you have at least a half tank of gas. You don’t want to run out of gas and get stuck on the side of the road during a winter storm. Make sure that your heater and wiper blades work, too!
Check the road reports on TV or radio before you leave. Some roads may be closed or congested.
Prepare a snow kit for your car. Here’s what you’ll need: ice scraper, broom, small shovel, bag of sand or kitty litter (for traction, in case you get stuck), blankets, flashlight, flares, first aid kit, jumper cables, “help” sign, cell phone and cell phone charger.
If you happen to break down or get stuck in the snow, stay inside your car and try to keep warm. Call for help or put a “help” sign in the window. Be sure to keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow and ice to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. If you have limited gas, run the car for about 15 minutes every hour to keep it from freezing over. Bundle up and try to stay warm. Move around and do simple exercise to increase body heat.
Do not speed! Give yourself plenty of time to make your trip. If you have to drive to work in the snow, your boss will understand if you’re late. (Hopefully!) Driving too fast is the main cause of accidents on icy roads. Take your time, and be extra careful going around turns and curves.
Be wary of “black ice” which often appears in shady areas. Slow down when driving through shaded areas and over bridges.
When behind the wheel, avoid sudden movements. Be gentle with the pedals and the steering wheel.
Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and others. You never know when a car may start sliding.
Be alert! Watch out for other vehicles and icy spots. Don't take your eyes off the road. (Put those cell phones down while you're driving!)
Again, the best way to avoid an accident is to stay off the road. If the roads ice over, take the day off work if you can. Plan some snow day activities, and try to relax and enjoy some time at home with the family.
Labels: avoiding car accidents, driver safety, driving
For many, New Year’s Eve is an opportunity to celebrate the closing of one year and the potential they feel at the start of the new. It is a time for remember the year that has passed, making resolutions and looking forward to the future.
For many others, New Year’s Eve becomes a time when all of those opportunities and all of that planning falls apart because they – or someone else – drove while intoxicated.
Drunk driving kills an estimated 32 people in the United States every day, or around one every forty-five minutes. Every year, alcohol related crashes cost more than $51 billion in total damage, which cannot take into account the cost in lost life or quality of life or the emotional toll.
New Years Eve, with its parties and late night rituals, is almost legendary among emergency responder personnel as a night for drunken driving and car accidents.
While you celebrate the end of the old and the arrival of the new, please keep in mind the effects of alcohol on the human body, and most importantly, on your driving ability.
Alcohol acts as a depressant on the brain. The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but it is clear that alcohol can drastically impair function. The level of this impairment depends on the level alcohol in the blood stream. The more alcohol, the higher the degree of impairment.
In large quantities (a BAC of =.40, for example), alcohol can be fatal, paralyzing the respiratory system. As shocking as it may sound, though, in people with particularly high tolerances, driving with a blood alcohol level this high is not entirely impossible. While rare, it can and has happened, and presents an extreme danger to other drivers.
It is important to remember, though, that impairment begins well below this. Difficulty performing simple tasks can start in some people at a BAC as low as .03. For most people, significant changes in driving can begin around .05.
Driving is a complex task. It relies on a person’s ability to judge and respond to situations quickly, and to monitor many factors at the same time. In reality, driving is not just one task, but one action that requires the driver to multitask – the driver must be aware of traffic around him, his own speed and status, changes in the environment, pedestrians, road conditions, and any number of other factors, any of which may change at any time and require an appropriate and timely response.
It is not a task which mixes with alcohol. Any alcohol at all can be detrimental to a driver’s judgment and reaction time, and lead to accidents.
And alcohol is especially dangerous to younger drivers. Drivers between twenty-one and twenty-four were most likely to be involved in alcohol related crashes. This age group is more likely to drink heavily, and also more likely to have limited driving experience.
If that is not enough to keep you from driving while intoxicated this holiday, then also remember that New Year’s Eve is also legendary for its drunk driving police stops. The police will be ready for the possibility of overindulgence, and sobriety check points along with aggressive enforcement of drunk driving laws and strict punishment are among the best tools at law enforcement officials’ disposal. Be safe tonight while ringing in the New Year.
Happy New Year from the Law Offices of Michael Lawson Neff!
For many others, New Year’s Eve becomes a time when all of those opportunities and all of that planning falls apart because they – or someone else – drove while intoxicated.
Drunk driving kills an estimated 32 people in the United States every day, or around one every forty-five minutes. Every year, alcohol related crashes cost more than $51 billion in total damage, which cannot take into account the cost in lost life or quality of life or the emotional toll.
New Years Eve, with its parties and late night rituals, is almost legendary among emergency responder personnel as a night for drunken driving and car accidents.While you celebrate the end of the old and the arrival of the new, please keep in mind the effects of alcohol on the human body, and most importantly, on your driving ability.
Alcohol acts as a depressant on the brain. The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but it is clear that alcohol can drastically impair function. The level of this impairment depends on the level alcohol in the blood stream. The more alcohol, the higher the degree of impairment.
In large quantities (a BAC of =.40, for example), alcohol can be fatal, paralyzing the respiratory system. As shocking as it may sound, though, in people with particularly high tolerances, driving with a blood alcohol level this high is not entirely impossible. While rare, it can and has happened, and presents an extreme danger to other drivers.
It is important to remember, though, that impairment begins well below this. Difficulty performing simple tasks can start in some people at a BAC as low as .03. For most people, significant changes in driving can begin around .05.
Driving is a complex task. It relies on a person’s ability to judge and respond to situations quickly, and to monitor many factors at the same time. In reality, driving is not just one task, but one action that requires the driver to multitask – the driver must be aware of traffic around him, his own speed and status, changes in the environment, pedestrians, road conditions, and any number of other factors, any of which may change at any time and require an appropriate and timely response.
It is not a task which mixes with alcohol. Any alcohol at all can be detrimental to a driver’s judgment and reaction time, and lead to accidents.
And alcohol is especially dangerous to younger drivers. Drivers between twenty-one and twenty-four were most likely to be involved in alcohol related crashes. This age group is more likely to drink heavily, and also more likely to have limited driving experience.
If that is not enough to keep you from driving while intoxicated this holiday, then also remember that New Year’s Eve is also legendary for its drunk driving police stops. The police will be ready for the possibility of overindulgence, and sobriety check points along with aggressive enforcement of drunk driving laws and strict punishment are among the best tools at law enforcement officials’ disposal. Be safe tonight while ringing in the New Year.
Happy New Year from the Law Offices of Michael Lawson Neff!
Labels: avoiding car accidents, car accidents, drugged driving, drunk driver, drunk driving
Two people were killed last week and an additional four were injured in a single car accident. The accident temporarily closed I-20 eastbound lanes.
The accident was caused when a tire on the vehicle, a 2003 Ford Explorer, blew out and caused it to flip several times. Three of the Explorers six passengers were thrown out of the vehicle entirely.
Adriana Gil, twenty-nine, and Rocia Jimenez, also twenty-nine, both died in the accident. Both young women were from Forest Park. The other four victims were rushed to receive medical attention; their identities have not been released.
Tire blowouts are not uncommon, and can lead to very dangerous accidents, as demonstrated before on this blog when I wrote about the infamous Firestone Tire Recall. A rapid loss of air pressure in the tire – in that case due to tread separation – can easily lead to a total loss of control or a rollover when driving at speed.
How can you avoid a tire blowout or a rollover?
Unfortunately, there is no sure fire way to avoid either. Even safe drivers who properly maintain their tires can find themselves in a circumstance where one of their tires blows as a result of debris in the road, a pothole or in some cases, defective tires. There are, however, things you as a driver can do to minimize your chances of a serious blowout or rollover, and to protect yourself if the worst comes to pass.
First, check your tires regularly to insure that they have proper traction and are properly inflated. Properly maintaining your tires will help prevent a blowout in the first place.
Do not immediately hit the breaks if one of your tires loses pressure. If possible, maintain your speed until the car stabilizes – this will help your car’s traction. Only after the car stabilizes should you slow down and pull over to the side of the road.
Most rollovers occur on rural roads and highways, so exercise particular caution on these roads. Keeping two hands on the wheel and staying alert will help you avoid obstacles which could potentially cause a blowout or rollover, and ensures that you will be more likely to respond appropriately if something does go wrong.
Secure heavy cargo inside your car tightly, so it will not transform into a projectile in the event of a rollover.
And, of course, avoid driving at excessive speed.
The most common reason why people lose control of their cars is because they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they are tired, or they are otherwise distracted by talking on their cell phones or sending text messages. I’ve mentioned the perils of distracted driving on this blog many times, but, of course, distracted driving will always be one of our major problems on the road.
In the event the worst come to pass, remember that you should always be wearing your safety belt. Passengers wearing seatbelts are significantly more likely to survive a rollover crash than those who are unbelted.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact an experienced Georgia accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights. For legal advice, call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule a free consultation.
The accident was caused when a tire on the vehicle, a 2003 Ford Explorer, blew out and caused it to flip several times. Three of the Explorers six passengers were thrown out of the vehicle entirely.
Adriana Gil, twenty-nine, and Rocia Jimenez, also twenty-nine, both died in the accident. Both young women were from Forest Park. The other four victims were rushed to receive medical attention; their identities have not been released.Tire blowouts are not uncommon, and can lead to very dangerous accidents, as demonstrated before on this blog when I wrote about the infamous Firestone Tire Recall. A rapid loss of air pressure in the tire – in that case due to tread separation – can easily lead to a total loss of control or a rollover when driving at speed.
How can you avoid a tire blowout or a rollover?
Unfortunately, there is no sure fire way to avoid either. Even safe drivers who properly maintain their tires can find themselves in a circumstance where one of their tires blows as a result of debris in the road, a pothole or in some cases, defective tires. There are, however, things you as a driver can do to minimize your chances of a serious blowout or rollover, and to protect yourself if the worst comes to pass.
First, check your tires regularly to insure that they have proper traction and are properly inflated. Properly maintaining your tires will help prevent a blowout in the first place.
Do not immediately hit the breaks if one of your tires loses pressure. If possible, maintain your speed until the car stabilizes – this will help your car’s traction. Only after the car stabilizes should you slow down and pull over to the side of the road.
Most rollovers occur on rural roads and highways, so exercise particular caution on these roads. Keeping two hands on the wheel and staying alert will help you avoid obstacles which could potentially cause a blowout or rollover, and ensures that you will be more likely to respond appropriately if something does go wrong.
Secure heavy cargo inside your car tightly, so it will not transform into a projectile in the event of a rollover.
And, of course, avoid driving at excessive speed.
The most common reason why people lose control of their cars is because they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they are tired, or they are otherwise distracted by talking on their cell phones or sending text messages. I’ve mentioned the perils of distracted driving on this blog many times, but, of course, distracted driving will always be one of our major problems on the road.
In the event the worst come to pass, remember that you should always be wearing your safety belt. Passengers wearing seatbelts are significantly more likely to survive a rollover crash than those who are unbelted.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact an experienced Georgia accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights. For legal advice, call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule a free consultation.
Labels: avoiding car accidents, car accidents, car crashes, car wreck, product liability
A Colorado company called Cartasite has begun experimenting with a device they call ROVER. ROVER is a little gadget that can be installed in a car and includes a three-dimensional accelerometer, GPS and the ability to send data through cellular networks. The concept is simple; with these sensors, ROVER is able to monitor a motorist’s driving. It records hard breaking, swerving, fast acceleration, speed, fuel consumption and various other readings, which are then sent back to the Cartasite computers, where it can be analyzed.
While for many reasons, this device might not be a perfect judge of driving skills, it is still able to provide something sorely lacking in many drivers’ experience – feedback.
Slate magazine’s Tom Vanderbilt agreed to an arrangement with Cartasite and joined some thousands of Colorado drivers in having a ROVER installed in his car. Unfortunately, the feedback was not immediate. It came several weeks after he participated in this experiment. However he reports that even without any input from ROVER, he was very aware of it in the car with him, monitoring his decisions.
“I began, in fact, to anthropomorphize it a bit; it became "David," (i.e., Cartasite's CEO, whom I envisioned as having a window open on his desktop monitoring my progress with day-trader intensity),” wrote Vanderbilt. “When, on I-95 South, a florist's van changed lanes in front of me without warning, necessitating a firm press on the brake pedal, I thought, ‘David's going to see that one, but how will he know it was the van's fault?’”
But it was not until his report came that he actually discovered how he scored by Cartasite’s standards. The Rover had tracked his driving for hard breaking, rapid acceleration, overspeeding, nighttime driving, mpg and time spent idle. Do to poor speed limit data, the system cannot actually compare speed against the posted speed limit, but it still provided interesting insight into Vanderbilt’s driving behavior.
He was in for a pleasant surprise. The outlier in Cartasite’s data, during Vanderbilt’s second week, he was able to score a perfect 100.
Indeed, Vanderbilt was well off the curve of normal drivers in the data Cartasite shared with him. Among the cases he was able to review (names removed for privacy’s sake), he discovered a driver with more than 30 incidents of hard breaking in one hour, and another driver who had driven only 11 miles, but spent seven hours idling.
As a personal injuries attorney with experience dealing with the sometimes tragic aftermath of auto wrecks, I find the potential of this technology incredibly interesting. As Vanderbilt mentions himself in his article, drivers rarely receive any kind of direct feedback on their performance on the road. The rare traffic tickets are an exception to the rule. Many reckless drivers go years without traffic violations or accidents, and the occasional honked horn or shout during rush hour are hardly going to make much of an impression on them. And knowing reckless drivers, the normal reaction to that kind of feedback is anything but than, “How can I improve my driving?”
This kind of advance may be a step toward drivers more self-aware and safer on the road.
While for many reasons, this device might not be a perfect judge of driving skills, it is still able to provide something sorely lacking in many drivers’ experience – feedback.
Slate magazine’s Tom Vanderbilt agreed to an arrangement with Cartasite and joined some thousands of Colorado drivers in having a ROVER installed in his car. Unfortunately, the feedback was not immediate. It came several weeks after he participated in this experiment. However he reports that even without any input from ROVER, he was very aware of it in the car with him, monitoring his decisions.
“I began, in fact, to anthropomorphize it a bit; it became "David," (i.e., Cartasite's CEO, whom I envisioned as having a window open on his desktop monitoring my progress with day-trader intensity),” wrote Vanderbilt. “When, on I-95 South, a florist's van changed lanes in front of me without warning, necessitating a firm press on the brake pedal, I thought, ‘David's going to see that one, but how will he know it was the van's fault?’”
But it was not until his report came that he actually discovered how he scored by Cartasite’s standards. The Rover had tracked his driving for hard breaking, rapid acceleration, overspeeding, nighttime driving, mpg and time spent idle. Do to poor speed limit data, the system cannot actually compare speed against the posted speed limit, but it still provided interesting insight into Vanderbilt’s driving behavior.
He was in for a pleasant surprise. The outlier in Cartasite’s data, during Vanderbilt’s second week, he was able to score a perfect 100.
Indeed, Vanderbilt was well off the curve of normal drivers in the data Cartasite shared with him. Among the cases he was able to review (names removed for privacy’s sake), he discovered a driver with more than 30 incidents of hard breaking in one hour, and another driver who had driven only 11 miles, but spent seven hours idling.
As a personal injuries attorney with experience dealing with the sometimes tragic aftermath of auto wrecks, I find the potential of this technology incredibly interesting. As Vanderbilt mentions himself in his article, drivers rarely receive any kind of direct feedback on their performance on the road. The rare traffic tickets are an exception to the rule. Many reckless drivers go years without traffic violations or accidents, and the occasional honked horn or shout during rush hour are hardly going to make much of an impression on them. And knowing reckless drivers, the normal reaction to that kind of feedback is anything but than, “How can I improve my driving?”
This kind of advance may be a step toward drivers more self-aware and safer on the road.
Labels: avoiding car accidents, driver safety, driving and technology, safe driving
Not all car-related injuries are due to car wrecks. The causes of top car injuries may surprise you.
Forbes.com recently published a list of the Top 10 Non-Traffic Car Injuries. Continue reading for a list of the top car-related injuries plus advice and how to avoid them.
10. Radiator Burns - With an annual injury estimate of 9,000, radiator burns are not cool. The fluid in the radiator can reach 240 degrees Fahrenheit, and it can bubble up and explode when under pressure. If your car overheats, be careful when removing the antifreeze knob. Let the radiator cool down first. Then use gloves or a protective cloth and turn the knob slowly to gradually relieve pressure.
9. Flying Objects - With an annual injury estimate of 20,000, flying object injuries typically occur because of cargo inside the car. Laptops, coolers, books, pets, groceries, and other cargo items can become dangerous objects when the vehicles suddenly stop. Use storage bins, cargo racks, hooks, fasteners, and similar devices to secure cargo when moving.
8. Falling from Vehicle - With an annual injury estimate of 28,000, falling from a vehicle ties with falling against a vehicle for the number eight spot. Children should not ride in the backs of pickup trucks or moving trucks, nor should children sit next to fully opened windows. Use those child safety window locks; they’re there for a reason.
7. Injured by Door - With an annual injury estimate of 36,000, car door injuries can be very painful. The elderly, disabled, and children are more susceptible to getting injured by automobile doors. Help them get in and out of vehicles.
6. Strains and Sprains - With an annual injury estimate of 44,000, strains and sprains typically occur when people are getting out of vehicles. Cars that sit low to the ground and vehicles that sit high above the ground are more likely to be involved in strain and sprain injuries. Warn your passengers to watch their step if the step is uncommonly low or high.
5. Cuts - With an annual injury estimate of 68,000, cuts commonly occur from sharp metal in older vehicles. Repair any jagged edges and keep your vehicle properly maintained and cleaned to prevent cuts.
4. Hit by Car - In non-traffic situations, approximately 74,000 people get hit by a car and injured each year. Watch out for blind spots, especially in shorter and taller vehicles. Be sure to turn around and look for children (and animals) before backing up. Most victims of victims of back-up injuries are children.
3. Falling - With 84,000 estimated injuries, falling while getting into or out of vehicles is a big problem. When combined with similar injuries like strains and sprains, the act of entering or exiting a vehicle is the largest cause of non-traffic-related injuries in the country. Watch your step!
2. Overexertion - Really? Car-related overexertion is estimated to cause 88,000 injuries annually. Most overexertion injuries stem from people unloading vehicles or trying to push immobile vehicles. Ask for help when lifting or pushing heavy objects. If your car is stuck, call a tow truck or a friend. There’s no need to risk injury.
1. Body Part Slammed in Door - With an annual injury estimate of 148,000, injuries caused by closing a car door. Car doors can weigh up to 200 pounds and easily break a finger or hand.
Remember, your car can be dangerous even when it’s not moving! Of course, car wrecks are the most common cause of car injuries. If you’ve been seriously injured in a car wreck that was someone else’s fault, contact an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule a free consultation.
Forbes.com recently published a list of the Top 10 Non-Traffic Car Injuries. Continue reading for a list of the top car-related injuries plus advice and how to avoid them.
10. Radiator Burns - With an annual injury estimate of 9,000, radiator burns are not cool. The fluid in the radiator can reach 240 degrees Fahrenheit, and it can bubble up and explode when under pressure. If your car overheats, be careful when removing the antifreeze knob. Let the radiator cool down first. Then use gloves or a protective cloth and turn the knob slowly to gradually relieve pressure.
9. Flying Objects - With an annual injury estimate of 20,000, flying object injuries typically occur because of cargo inside the car. Laptops, coolers, books, pets, groceries, and other cargo items can become dangerous objects when the vehicles suddenly stop. Use storage bins, cargo racks, hooks, fasteners, and similar devices to secure cargo when moving.
8. Falling from Vehicle - With an annual injury estimate of 28,000, falling from a vehicle ties with falling against a vehicle for the number eight spot. Children should not ride in the backs of pickup trucks or moving trucks, nor should children sit next to fully opened windows. Use those child safety window locks; they’re there for a reason.
7. Injured by Door - With an annual injury estimate of 36,000, car door injuries can be very painful. The elderly, disabled, and children are more susceptible to getting injured by automobile doors. Help them get in and out of vehicles.
6. Strains and Sprains - With an annual injury estimate of 44,000, strains and sprains typically occur when people are getting out of vehicles. Cars that sit low to the ground and vehicles that sit high above the ground are more likely to be involved in strain and sprain injuries. Warn your passengers to watch their step if the step is uncommonly low or high.
5. Cuts - With an annual injury estimate of 68,000, cuts commonly occur from sharp metal in older vehicles. Repair any jagged edges and keep your vehicle properly maintained and cleaned to prevent cuts.
4. Hit by Car - In non-traffic situations, approximately 74,000 people get hit by a car and injured each year. Watch out for blind spots, especially in shorter and taller vehicles. Be sure to turn around and look for children (and animals) before backing up. Most victims of victims of back-up injuries are children.
3. Falling - With 84,000 estimated injuries, falling while getting into or out of vehicles is a big problem. When combined with similar injuries like strains and sprains, the act of entering or exiting a vehicle is the largest cause of non-traffic-related injuries in the country. Watch your step!
2. Overexertion - Really? Car-related overexertion is estimated to cause 88,000 injuries annually. Most overexertion injuries stem from people unloading vehicles or trying to push immobile vehicles. Ask for help when lifting or pushing heavy objects. If your car is stuck, call a tow truck or a friend. There’s no need to risk injury.
1. Body Part Slammed in Door - With an annual injury estimate of 148,000, injuries caused by closing a car door. Car doors can weigh up to 200 pounds and easily break a finger or hand.
Remember, your car can be dangerous even when it’s not moving! Of course, car wrecks are the most common cause of car injuries. If you’ve been seriously injured in a car wreck that was someone else’s fault, contact an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule a free consultation.
Labels: avoiding car accidents, avoiding personal injury, car wreck
Tractor trailer accidents are all too common on Georgia roads. Last year, large trucks were involved in 8.6 percent of the state’s 2,070 fatal crashes.
Earlier this year the Georgia Department of Public Safety kicked off a new initiative to reduce the number a wrecks between big rigs and cars: Georgia Targeting Aggressive Cars and Trucks, or G-TACT.
The goal of G-TACT is to combine the resources of the Motor Carrier Compliance division, state troopers, and sheriff’s deputies to educate drivers about the dangers of driving alongside big tractor trailer trucks. Through a grant from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the project has been instigated across the state on busy highways and interstates.
Georgia State Patrol Villa Ricca Post Commander Joey Boatright told the Times Georgian, “Stopping abruptly in a tractor-trailer takes about three times the distance than a car that is traveling at the same speed. If there is an emergency ahead and the driver of a car can stop in time, the tractor trailer might not be able to if there is not enough space between the two.
“Drivers should know that tractor-trailers have a blind spot directly behind the vehicle and just behind the driver’s side door and cab. It is the responsibility of the truck drivers to have mirrors set up, but passenger cars should be aware of these potential areas that might have limited visibility.
“Anytime it’s a tractor trailer versus a car in a collision, there is the potential to be a serious or deadly accident. Speeding and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can also be just as deadly. This program was started because of the number of accidents we have, not just in Carroll and Douglas counties but across the entire state.”
State Patrol Lt. Paul Cosper said that, as part of G-TACT, motor carrier compliance officers inspect heavy trucks for mechanical problems like blown headlights, brake problems, or worn tires. Officers can issue citations or order tractor trailers out of service for violations. Big rigs may also be ordered out of service if drivers have exceeded the limit on hours in the driver log.
“This is for the safety of everyone,” said Cosper. “If you are driving an 80,000 pound vehicle, then you need to be safe. At the same time, cars do not need to cut off large trucks on the road.”
To stay safe and avoid getting a ticket, don’t cut off tractor trailers. Leave plenty of room between the truck and your vehicle before you change lanes. Don’t tailgate tractor trailer trucks. Large trucks have large blind spots, and if the truck brakes suddenly, you may not have time to react. Always leave more room for big rigs when you’re merging with traffic.
Have you or a loved one been injured in a tractor trailer wreck? If so, you need an experienced Georgia accident attorney who is familiar with the laws and regulations regarding tractor trailer trucks. Call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule a free consultation. Do not delay; the sooner you hire an attorney, the better your case will be.
Earlier this year the Georgia Department of Public Safety kicked off a new initiative to reduce the number a wrecks between big rigs and cars: Georgia Targeting Aggressive Cars and Trucks, or G-TACT.
The goal of G-TACT is to combine the resources of the Motor Carrier Compliance division, state troopers, and sheriff’s deputies to educate drivers about the dangers of driving alongside big tractor trailer trucks. Through a grant from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the project has been instigated across the state on busy highways and interstates.
Georgia State Patrol Villa Ricca Post Commander Joey Boatright told the Times Georgian, “Stopping abruptly in a tractor-trailer takes about three times the distance than a car that is traveling at the same speed. If there is an emergency ahead and the driver of a car can stop in time, the tractor trailer might not be able to if there is not enough space between the two.
“Drivers should know that tractor-trailers have a blind spot directly behind the vehicle and just behind the driver’s side door and cab. It is the responsibility of the truck drivers to have mirrors set up, but passenger cars should be aware of these potential areas that might have limited visibility.
“Anytime it’s a tractor trailer versus a car in a collision, there is the potential to be a serious or deadly accident. Speeding and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can also be just as deadly. This program was started because of the number of accidents we have, not just in Carroll and Douglas counties but across the entire state.”
State Patrol Lt. Paul Cosper said that, as part of G-TACT, motor carrier compliance officers inspect heavy trucks for mechanical problems like blown headlights, brake problems, or worn tires. Officers can issue citations or order tractor trailers out of service for violations. Big rigs may also be ordered out of service if drivers have exceeded the limit on hours in the driver log.
“This is for the safety of everyone,” said Cosper. “If you are driving an 80,000 pound vehicle, then you need to be safe. At the same time, cars do not need to cut off large trucks on the road.”
To stay safe and avoid getting a ticket, don’t cut off tractor trailers. Leave plenty of room between the truck and your vehicle before you change lanes. Don’t tailgate tractor trailer trucks. Large trucks have large blind spots, and if the truck brakes suddenly, you may not have time to react. Always leave more room for big rigs when you’re merging with traffic.
Have you or a loved one been injured in a tractor trailer wreck? If so, you need an experienced Georgia accident attorney who is familiar with the laws and regulations regarding tractor trailer trucks. Call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule a free consultation. Do not delay; the sooner you hire an attorney, the better your case will be.
Labels: avoid wrecks, avoiding car accidents, truck accident, truck wreck, trucking
Most drivers have had at least one close call due to their blind spots, the area of the road that they can’t see through either side or rear-view mirrors. In most cases, you have to turn your head to see the blind spot. “Fisheye” mirrors also help drivers see their blind spots.
In general, larger vehicles have larger blind spots. Tractor trailer blind spots can contain entire vehicles. That’s why many trucks have warning stickers that read “If you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you.” A tractor trailer truck driver also sits high off the road, which limits vision further. Fisheye mirrors can bring blind spots into view, but they also distort distances.
The blind spots for large trucks are sometimes referred to as “no zone” areas - and, as another driver, you want to stay out of these areas. Tractor trailers have blind spots in the rear of the truck, the front of the truck, and the side of the truck. If a car is in one of the no zones, the drive usually cannot see it at all. Many tractor trailer accidents are caused by truck drivers changing lanes and collided with a car in a no zone. When you’re driving on the highway, try to minimize your time driving beside tractor trailers; it’s better to pass quickly or stay behind them. Limit your time in the no zones to just a few seconds for passing. Always keep a safe distance between your vehicle and large trucks. Don’t follow too closely, and don’t let a tractor trailer follow you too closely. Be a defensive driver.
Before you pass a tractor trailer, make sure that the truck’s turn signal is not on. Also wait and couple of seconds and make sure that the truck is not slowly drifting into your lane. Don’t assume that the truck driver can see you.
When you pass a tractor trailer on the highway, make sure that you get far ahead of the truck before getting back in the right-hand lane. Cars that quickly cut in front of large trucks often cause truck drivers to instinctively slam on the brakes, which could endanger all surrounding vehicles. This kind of thoughtless behavior causes accidents. If the trailer’s load is not properly secured, for instance, hitting the breaks can cause a shift in weight and topple the entire trailer.
Next time you find yourself cruising down the highway beside a large truck, remember that tractor trailers command deadly force. Stay out of the no zones, and you’ll greatly reduce your changes of being in a tractor trailer accident.
Also be on the lookout for tractor trailers making right turns. The “right turn squeeze” is another common cause of tractor trailer accidents. When large trucks make sharp right turns, they must swing the truck to the left to negotiate the turn. If your car is to the left of the truck, there’s a good chance that the truck will cross over into your lane while make the turn. This can confuse other motorists, and sometimes large trucks wind up squeezing cars out of their lanes and into other vehicles or walls. Watch for turn signals, and try to anticipate the truck driver’s move. Never try to squeeze past a truck when it’s making a turn. Just be patient and stay behind the truck. Otherwise, you’ll end up in a no zone, and that’s a dangerous place to be.
Finally, avoid getting sandwiched between two large trucks - with one in front of you and one behind you. Many times, neither truck driver will be able to see your car. If the truck driver in front of you hits the brakes, or if you hit the brakes . . . well, you can image what happens.
In 86 percent of tractor trailer fatalities, the people killed are not occupants of the truck. In most cases, they’re other motorists. Defensive driving will reduce your changes of being in a tractor trailer wreck, but it won’t always prevent an accident.
If you’ve been injured in a tractor trailer accident, or if you’ve lost a loved one due to a negligent truck driver or trucking company, call MLN Law at (404) 531-9700 to schedule your free consultation. Call now; the longer you wait, the weaker your case becomes.
In general, larger vehicles have larger blind spots. Tractor trailer blind spots can contain entire vehicles. That’s why many trucks have warning stickers that read “If you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you.” A tractor trailer truck driver also sits high off the road, which limits vision further. Fisheye mirrors can bring blind spots into view, but they also distort distances.
The blind spots for large trucks are sometimes referred to as “no zone” areas - and, as another driver, you want to stay out of these areas. Tractor trailers have blind spots in the rear of the truck, the front of the truck, and the side of the truck. If a car is in one of the no zones, the drive usually cannot see it at all. Many tractor trailer accidents are caused by truck drivers changing lanes and collided with a car in a no zone. When you’re driving on the highway, try to minimize your time driving beside tractor trailers; it’s better to pass quickly or stay behind them. Limit your time in the no zones to just a few seconds for passing. Always keep a safe distance between your vehicle and large trucks. Don’t follow too closely, and don’t let a tractor trailer follow you too closely. Be a defensive driver.
Before you pass a tractor trailer, make sure that the truck’s turn signal is not on. Also wait and couple of seconds and make sure that the truck is not slowly drifting into your lane. Don’t assume that the truck driver can see you.
When you pass a tractor trailer on the highway, make sure that you get far ahead of the truck before getting back in the right-hand lane. Cars that quickly cut in front of large trucks often cause truck drivers to instinctively slam on the brakes, which could endanger all surrounding vehicles. This kind of thoughtless behavior causes accidents. If the trailer’s load is not properly secured, for instance, hitting the breaks can cause a shift in weight and topple the entire trailer.
Next time you find yourself cruising down the highway beside a large truck, remember that tractor trailers command deadly force. Stay out of the no zones, and you’ll greatly reduce your changes of being in a tractor trailer accident.
Also be on the lookout for tractor trailers making right turns. The “right turn squeeze” is another common cause of tractor trailer accidents. When large trucks make sharp right turns, they must swing the truck to the left to negotiate the turn. If your car is to the left of the truck, there’s a good chance that the truck will cross over into your lane while make the turn. This can confuse other motorists, and sometimes large trucks wind up squeezing cars out of their lanes and into other vehicles or walls. Watch for turn signals, and try to anticipate the truck driver’s move. Never try to squeeze past a truck when it’s making a turn. Just be patient and stay behind the truck. Otherwise, you’ll end up in a no zone, and that’s a dangerous place to be.
Finally, avoid getting sandwiched between two large trucks - with one in front of you and one behind you. Many times, neither truck driver will be able to see your car. If the truck driver in front of you hits the brakes, or if you hit the brakes . . . well, you can image what happens.
In 86 percent of tractor trailer fatalities, the people killed are not occupants of the truck. In most cases, they’re other motorists. Defensive driving will reduce your changes of being in a tractor trailer wreck, but it won’t always prevent an accident.
If you’ve been injured in a tractor trailer accident, or if you’ve lost a loved one due to a negligent truck driver or trucking company, call MLN Law at (404) 531-9700 to schedule your free consultation. Call now; the longer you wait, the weaker your case becomes.
Labels: auto accident, avoiding car accidents, tractor trailer, truck accident, truck wreck, trucking
Today, let’s take a look at the relationship between auto accidents and cell phones.
"If you put a 20-year-old driver behind the wheel with a cell phone, their reaction times are the same as a 70-year-old driver who is not using a cell phone," University of Utah psychology professor David Strayer told Live Science. "It's like instantly aging a large number of drivers.”
Strayer headed a university study that was published in the journal Human Factors (winter issue, 2005). According to the research, cell phone distraction causes 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries in the United States each year.
Strayer’s study found that:
- Drivers talking on cell phones are 18 percent slower in reacting to brake lights.
- Driver talking on cell phones also take 17 percent longer to regain speed after they brake.
"Once drivers on cell phones hit the brakes, it takes them longer to get back into the normal flow of traffic," Strayer said. "The net result is they are impeding the overall flow of traffic."
Strayer found that even hands-free cell phones distract drivers. The drivers may not be holding the phone, but they’re still distracted by the conversations. In a previous study, Strayer found that drivers talking on cell phones are even more impaired that drunk drivers with blood alcohol levels over 0.08.
A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Australia found that motorists using cell phones while driving are four times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves or others. The study also found that the risk of injury was the same for hand-held phones and hands-free phones.
An April 2006 Naturalistic Driving study by Virginia Tech and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that nearly 80 percent of auto accidents involve some form of driver inattention within three seconds of the accident. The most common distraction is cell phones, followed by drowsiness. Other distractions, such as lunging for a falling cup, might increase the risk for an accident even more; however, such distractions are not nearly as common as cell phone use.
As of today, six states (California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Utah, and Washington) and the District of Columbia have laws that ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.
Driving while texting (DWT) is even more distracting and dangerous than talking on a cell phone. Alarmingly, one study conducted by an insurance company found that at least 20 percent of drivers are texting while driving. As of now, texting while driving has been banned in ten states (Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Utah, Virginia and Washington) and the District of Columbia.
Georgia has not yet placed any bans or restrictions on cell phone use behind the wheel. But even though it’s not illegal, distracted drivers (and companies that allow cell phone use in vehicles) can still be held accountable for accidents. In 2007, International Paper Company paid a $5.2 million settlement to a Georgia woman who was rear-ended by one of their employees talking on a company cell phone at the time of the wreck. In this case, the company actually had a policy requiring the use of hands-free cell phones while driving, and the employee was not following the policy, but the company agreed to pay the settlement anyway.
If you’re injured in an accident caused by someone who’s driving while texting, talking on a cell phone, or otherwise distracted, it’s important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible so that your attorney can collect relevant evidence because it disappears. Call (404) 531-9700 to schedule your free consultation at MLN Law.
"If you put a 20-year-old driver behind the wheel with a cell phone, their reaction times are the same as a 70-year-old driver who is not using a cell phone," University of Utah psychology professor David Strayer told Live Science. "It's like instantly aging a large number of drivers.”
Strayer headed a university study that was published in the journal Human Factors (winter issue, 2005). According to the research, cell phone distraction causes 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries in the United States each year.
Strayer’s study found that:
- Drivers talking on cell phones are 18 percent slower in reacting to brake lights.
- Driver talking on cell phones also take 17 percent longer to regain speed after they brake.
"Once drivers on cell phones hit the brakes, it takes them longer to get back into the normal flow of traffic," Strayer said. "The net result is they are impeding the overall flow of traffic."
Strayer found that even hands-free cell phones distract drivers. The drivers may not be holding the phone, but they’re still distracted by the conversations. In a previous study, Strayer found that drivers talking on cell phones are even more impaired that drunk drivers with blood alcohol levels over 0.08.
A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Australia found that motorists using cell phones while driving are four times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves or others. The study also found that the risk of injury was the same for hand-held phones and hands-free phones.
An April 2006 Naturalistic Driving study by Virginia Tech and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that nearly 80 percent of auto accidents involve some form of driver inattention within three seconds of the accident. The most common distraction is cell phones, followed by drowsiness. Other distractions, such as lunging for a falling cup, might increase the risk for an accident even more; however, such distractions are not nearly as common as cell phone use.
As of today, six states (California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Utah, and Washington) and the District of Columbia have laws that ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.
Driving while texting (DWT) is even more distracting and dangerous than talking on a cell phone. Alarmingly, one study conducted by an insurance company found that at least 20 percent of drivers are texting while driving. As of now, texting while driving has been banned in ten states (Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Utah, Virginia and Washington) and the District of Columbia.
Georgia has not yet placed any bans or restrictions on cell phone use behind the wheel. But even though it’s not illegal, distracted drivers (and companies that allow cell phone use in vehicles) can still be held accountable for accidents. In 2007, International Paper Company paid a $5.2 million settlement to a Georgia woman who was rear-ended by one of their employees talking on a company cell phone at the time of the wreck. In this case, the company actually had a policy requiring the use of hands-free cell phones while driving, and the employee was not following the policy, but the company agreed to pay the settlement anyway.
If you’re injured in an accident caused by someone who’s driving while texting, talking on a cell phone, or otherwise distracted, it’s important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible so that your attorney can collect relevant evidence because it disappears. Call (404) 531-9700 to schedule your free consultation at MLN Law.
Labels: auto accident, avoiding car accidents, cell phone, driving and texting, Georgia personal injury lawyer
As reported by The Courier Herald, a Sandersville (Washington County) man died last month after crashing into an 18-wheeler carrying chalk.
David Perry Williams, age 39, died following the accident on State Route 57. He was driving a 1995 Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck.
Williams was driving behind a tractor trailer owned by Howard Sheppard Trucking and driven by Chad Howell, 43, who suffered neck injuries.
Georgia State Patrol Trooper Mark Bracewell said “the Sheppard track driver was slowing to make a left-hand turn” when Williams’ Chevrolet crashed into the rear of the trailer.
“Apparently Mr. Williams fell asleep and ran into the rear of the chalk truck,” said Bracewell.
Williams worked third-shift and had just gotten off work to go home. Bracewell believes that Williams must have fallen asleep because there were no skid marks or indiciations that Williams had tried to stop his truck before the collision.
Williams was pronounced dead at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon. Bracewell said that Williams was not wearing a seat belt, but he’s not sure if a seat belt would have protected him because of the tremendous impact between the two trucks.
Because tractor trailer trucks are so massive, weighing up to 80,000 pounds, accidents often cause massive injury or death. Tractor trailers comprise just 3% of vehicles on the road yet are involved in 21% of the fatal accidents.
In this case, it was the other driver who fell asleep, but all too often, tractor trailer drivers are forced to work on little sleep. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), driver fatigue causes 30 to 40 percent of track accidents. And, alarmingly, 19 percent of truck drivers reported falling asleep at the wheel in the previous month (NTSB 1992).
Sleep-deprived drivers suffer from impaired judgment and coordination as well as delayed response times, similar to drivers under the influence of alcohol. Several studies show that sleep deprivation affects drivers as much or even more than alcohol.
Getting seven to eight hours of sleep per night will keep you awake and alert when it counts. If you find yourself getting sleep behind the wheel, pull over and get some coffee or take a short nap.
If you’re injured in an accident due to someone’s sleep deprivation, call 911 immediately. Don’t discuss the wreck until police arrive, and don’t admit any fault. While you’re at the scene, take photos and get names and phone numbers of any witnesses. See a doctor as soon as possible, and call a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney will need to act quickly to collect evidence.
Be careful when you’re speaking with insurance adjustors. They may record your telephone conversations and try to get you to admit partial fault. Once you hire an attorney, you don’t have to talk to insurance adjustors. You can refer all questions to your lawyer.
When you’re injured in a car wreck or truck wreck, MLN Law will get you the monetary compensation you deserve. Call (404) 531-9700 to schedule your free consultation.
David Perry Williams, age 39, died following the accident on State Route 57. He was driving a 1995 Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck.
Williams was driving behind a tractor trailer owned by Howard Sheppard Trucking and driven by Chad Howell, 43, who suffered neck injuries.
Georgia State Patrol Trooper Mark Bracewell said “the Sheppard track driver was slowing to make a left-hand turn” when Williams’ Chevrolet crashed into the rear of the trailer.
“Apparently Mr. Williams fell asleep and ran into the rear of the chalk truck,” said Bracewell.
Williams worked third-shift and had just gotten off work to go home. Bracewell believes that Williams must have fallen asleep because there were no skid marks or indiciations that Williams had tried to stop his truck before the collision.
Williams was pronounced dead at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon. Bracewell said that Williams was not wearing a seat belt, but he’s not sure if a seat belt would have protected him because of the tremendous impact between the two trucks.
Because tractor trailer trucks are so massive, weighing up to 80,000 pounds, accidents often cause massive injury or death. Tractor trailers comprise just 3% of vehicles on the road yet are involved in 21% of the fatal accidents.
In this case, it was the other driver who fell asleep, but all too often, tractor trailer drivers are forced to work on little sleep. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), driver fatigue causes 30 to 40 percent of track accidents. And, alarmingly, 19 percent of truck drivers reported falling asleep at the wheel in the previous month (NTSB 1992).
Sleep-deprived drivers suffer from impaired judgment and coordination as well as delayed response times, similar to drivers under the influence of alcohol. Several studies show that sleep deprivation affects drivers as much or even more than alcohol.
Getting seven to eight hours of sleep per night will keep you awake and alert when it counts. If you find yourself getting sleep behind the wheel, pull over and get some coffee or take a short nap.
If you’re injured in an accident due to someone’s sleep deprivation, call 911 immediately. Don’t discuss the wreck until police arrive, and don’t admit any fault. While you’re at the scene, take photos and get names and phone numbers of any witnesses. See a doctor as soon as possible, and call a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney will need to act quickly to collect evidence.
Be careful when you’re speaking with insurance adjustors. They may record your telephone conversations and try to get you to admit partial fault. Once you hire an attorney, you don’t have to talk to insurance adjustors. You can refer all questions to your lawyer.
When you’re injured in a car wreck or truck wreck, MLN Law will get you the monetary compensation you deserve. Call (404) 531-9700 to schedule your free consultation.
Labels: auto accident, avoiding car accidents, car accidents, tractor trailer, traffic wreck, trucking
The National Safety Council and Nationwide Insurance have announced they will sponsor an International Symposium on Distracted Driving, Oct. 14-15 2008 in Arlington, Virginia.
The symposium will convene leaders in transportation and safety, the auto industry, business, education, and government and social sectors to confront an urgent and escalating safety issue: driving while distracted, which accounts for a significant portion of today’s motor vehicle-related injuries and deaths.
Motor vehicle collisions continue to be the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, according to the National Safety Council. The Council reports there were 44,700 motor vehicle related fatalities and another 2.4 million disabling injuries in 2006.
"Distracted driving contributes to hundreds of thousands of injuries and deaths each year," said Janet Froetscher, the Council’s President and CEO. "People who drive while talking on a cell phone, for instance, are four times more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers who aren’t on cell phones. This symposium will accelerate critical conversations about how we can most effectively combat distracted driving as a national issue, drawing from a variety of perspectives to save lives."
The International Symposium on Distracted Driving will aim to:
* Document the science of distracted driving.
* Document possible solutions to the problem in four key areas that include public education, business policy, legislation and law, and technology.
* Recommend measures across all sectors of our society to help prevent injuries and deaths caused by distracted driving.
"It is high time to focus public attention on this serious and growing national problem," said Bill Windsor, Associate Vice President of Safety for Nationwide. "The symposium will yield information that may benefit everyone who drives. Individuals, legislators, community leaders, law enforcement officials and others involved in traffic safety will also benefit, from understanding how they might take action in their communities."
Details are available at the National Safety Council’s Web site, http://www.nsc.org/events/conferences/distractedsymp.aspx or by calling the Council’s Transportation Safety Group at 630-775-2334.
The symposium will convene leaders in transportation and safety, the auto industry, business, education, and government and social sectors to confront an urgent and escalating safety issue: driving while distracted, which accounts for a significant portion of today’s motor vehicle-related injuries and deaths.
Motor vehicle collisions continue to be the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States, according to the National Safety Council. The Council reports there were 44,700 motor vehicle related fatalities and another 2.4 million disabling injuries in 2006.
"Distracted driving contributes to hundreds of thousands of injuries and deaths each year," said Janet Froetscher, the Council’s President and CEO. "People who drive while talking on a cell phone, for instance, are four times more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers who aren’t on cell phones. This symposium will accelerate critical conversations about how we can most effectively combat distracted driving as a national issue, drawing from a variety of perspectives to save lives."
The International Symposium on Distracted Driving will aim to:
* Document the science of distracted driving.
* Document possible solutions to the problem in four key areas that include public education, business policy, legislation and law, and technology.
* Recommend measures across all sectors of our society to help prevent injuries and deaths caused by distracted driving.
"It is high time to focus public attention on this serious and growing national problem," said Bill Windsor, Associate Vice President of Safety for Nationwide. "The symposium will yield information that may benefit everyone who drives. Individuals, legislators, community leaders, law enforcement officials and others involved in traffic safety will also benefit, from understanding how they might take action in their communities."
Details are available at the National Safety Council’s Web site, http://www.nsc.org/events/conferences/distractedsymp.aspx or by calling the Council’s Transportation Safety Group at 630-775-2334.
Labels: avoiding car accidents, cell phone, distracted drivers
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Assocation ("NHTSA") car and truck crashes were the leading cause of death in the United States for every age 3 through 6 and 8 through 34.
There are several things Georgians can do to reduce the risk of death and serious injury. One, drive slower. Slower driving leads to less accidents and less serious wrecks. Two, don't drink and drive. That is an obvious impairment to driving ability. Third, wear a seatbelt.
According to a NHTSA study, men wear seatbelts less often than women. People driving alone wear seatbelts less than people that drive with passengers. Young people, age 16-24 wear seatbelts less than older people do. African Americans tend to wear their seatbelts less often than people of other ethnic backgrounds. So, I suppose black men ages 16-24 driving alone are bad insurance risks.
Buckle up Georgia. Its the law - and its for your own good.
There are several things Georgians can do to reduce the risk of death and serious injury. One, drive slower. Slower driving leads to less accidents and less serious wrecks. Two, don't drink and drive. That is an obvious impairment to driving ability. Third, wear a seatbelt.
According to a NHTSA study, men wear seatbelts less often than women. People driving alone wear seatbelts less than people that drive with passengers. Young people, age 16-24 wear seatbelts less than older people do. African Americans tend to wear their seatbelts less often than people of other ethnic backgrounds. So, I suppose black men ages 16-24 driving alone are bad insurance risks.
Buckle up Georgia. Its the law - and its for your own good.
Labels: avoiding car accidents, seatbelt, wrongful death
Volvo has a project for a new automobile - called PreVENT. The project is based on computer software that uses existing technology that, in event of a possible collusion, allows the car's intelligent system to take over and execute evasive maneuvers. Despite using currently available equipment, it will be some time before we see this system implemented in the real world. For now you'll just have to keep relying on airbags, seatbelts, and luck.
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9922480-1.html?tag=cnetfd.mt
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9922480-1.html?tag=cnetfd.mt
Labels: avoiding car accidents, car crashes, car wreck
http://www.breitbart.com/print.php?id=D8VGLPDG3&show_article=1
By MITCH STACY
Associated Press Writer
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Capt. Clint Roberts makes his living cutting accident victims out of hideously mangled vehicles, but even he could hardly believe it when two people in a 2007 midsize car survived a head-on crash with a full- sized pickup last year.
The Ford Fusion's reinforced steel construction probably saved the lives of the 18-year-old driver and his 16-year-old passenger. But Roberts said it gave his Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crew fits as they tried to free them last November.
Because hydraulic cutters couldn't shear the roof posts, rescue workers had to turn to heavy-duty electric saws, replacing blade after blade as they dulled on the rugged material.
"It was just beating the snot out of the tools," adding minutes and delaying medical treatment, Roberts said.
There is no question that today's cars save lives by cocooning motorists in reinforced alloys, impact-absorbing crumple zones and as many as a dozen air bags.
But in interviews with The Associated Press, rescue officials and experts from around the United States said the new technology is also hindering extrication of injured people, increasingly forcing crews to work deeper into the critical "golden hour" between accident and treatment by emergency room doctors. On many 2005 and later cars, an extrication that once took 10 or 15 minutes can now take twice that or longer.
To catch up, counties and cities are spending tens of thousands of dollars—if they can afford it—to buy more powerful equipment that can cut through newer cars' reinforced steel and the lighter, tougher exotic metals used in roofs, posts and doors.
Then there are obstacles that endanger rescuers' safety. Pressurized gas canisters that inflate air bags can explode if pierced by cutting tools. Rescuers can be blown from cars when air bags suddenly inflate. Hidden battery cables in hybrid cars can deliver a powerful shock.
To protect themselves, workers now have to peel away the ceiling and interior plastic to see what's underneath before they can even start cutting.
Experts cannot say for certain whether the delays in getting these victims to the hospital have resulted in people dying. But that's the fear.
"We build more fire stations, we make faster fire trucks, we've got helicopters to get you to the hospital," said Roberts, an expert who teaches extrication to colleagues around Florida. "But what's slowing us down are these vehicles that are harder for us to get into."
The problem has rescue workers scrambling to update their tools and explore different ways to attack cars with their cutters, spreaders and saws. Some agencies with equipment more than a few years old are arriving at accident scenes and finding out that it will no longer do the job.
"Because their shearing materials had been so successful for so many years, some agencies hadn't developed a Plan B," said Tom Hollenstain, who works to educate rescuers about new auto technology at the State Farm Insurance vehicle research center.
Leading hydraulic-tool makers such as Hurst Jaws of Life—whose namesake George Hurst introduced the first hydraulic extrication tools for auto racing in the early 1970s—must keep putting more oomph into their equipment, making it heavier and more expensive. A single Hurst cutter and power unit runs about $25,000. Add hydraulic spreaders and other tools and the price rises quickly.
A fire crew in Bonita Springs, Fla., discovered the problem last year when it rolled up on a 2007 Lexus that had overturned. Hydraulic cutters only a few years old wouldn't shear the strengthened steel roof posts, so the crew had to move quickly to cut other parts of the car. A job that should have taken a few minutes required 20 minutes of cutting and sawing to remove the driver.
Assistant Chief Ken Craft said the incident led the department to buy new heavy rescue tools costing $54,000—a sizable expense for a city of around 40,000.
"If the automakers roll out something new next year, we could be right back where we were at," Craft said. "That's the problem we're confronted with."
Mike Ader, a volunteer firefighter in Rockville, Md., recalled the layered-steel roof post from a 2008 Toyota Camry that wouldn't budge under the blades of a hydraulic cutter after a broadside crash Jan. 2. The patient, whose injuries were serious but not life-threatening, finally had to be maneuvered around the post.
Ader used two types of saws and numerous blades to remove the post after the patient was removed. The department quickly decided to buy a new, more powerful cutter.
The flip side, of course, is that more people are surviving horrific crashes that would have killed them just a few years ago.
The Fusion's passenger, for example, was hurt but conscious and joking with Roberts as the crew worked to get him out. The driver of the other vehicle—a 2001 Ford F-150 pickup—was dead at the scene.
With about three people hurt in car crashes every minute in the United States, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration spokesman Rae Tyson said he is comfortable with the trade-off. Rescue workers, he said, will have to work harder to keep up with technology, just like everybody else.
"The fatality rate for passenger vehicles is the lowest in history," Tyson said. "That, to me, is a pretty good news story."
One problem for rescue workers is how to get the latest technical information about newer cars and how to deal with them.
Later this year, the nonprofit group COMCARE Emergency Response Alliance, with cooperation from automakers, is introducing a single Web site that will offer schematics and safety specs for most cars on the road. Rescue workers could flip open a laptop computer on the way to a crash scene to find out about the construction of the car, placement of air bag canisters and other details.
Automakers say they are doing more to make safety information available to rescuers and tool makers before new models come out. For instance, Ford is already offering a look at the skeleton of the 2009 F-150 pickup, built with the strongest steel construction the company has ever used.
"We want to facilitate the discussion as much as possible, because we understand the critical nature of their work," Ford spokesman Wesley Sherwood said.
By MITCH STACY
Associated Press Writer
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Capt. Clint Roberts makes his living cutting accident victims out of hideously mangled vehicles, but even he could hardly believe it when two people in a 2007 midsize car survived a head-on crash with a full- sized pickup last year.
The Ford Fusion's reinforced steel construction probably saved the lives of the 18-year-old driver and his 16-year-old passenger. But Roberts said it gave his Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crew fits as they tried to free them last November.
Because hydraulic cutters couldn't shear the roof posts, rescue workers had to turn to heavy-duty electric saws, replacing blade after blade as they dulled on the rugged material.
"It was just beating the snot out of the tools," adding minutes and delaying medical treatment, Roberts said.
There is no question that today's cars save lives by cocooning motorists in reinforced alloys, impact-absorbing crumple zones and as many as a dozen air bags.
But in interviews with The Associated Press, rescue officials and experts from around the United States said the new technology is also hindering extrication of injured people, increasingly forcing crews to work deeper into the critical "golden hour" between accident and treatment by emergency room doctors. On many 2005 and later cars, an extrication that once took 10 or 15 minutes can now take twice that or longer.
To catch up, counties and cities are spending tens of thousands of dollars—if they can afford it—to buy more powerful equipment that can cut through newer cars' reinforced steel and the lighter, tougher exotic metals used in roofs, posts and doors.
Then there are obstacles that endanger rescuers' safety. Pressurized gas canisters that inflate air bags can explode if pierced by cutting tools. Rescuers can be blown from cars when air bags suddenly inflate. Hidden battery cables in hybrid cars can deliver a powerful shock.
To protect themselves, workers now have to peel away the ceiling and interior plastic to see what's underneath before they can even start cutting.
Experts cannot say for certain whether the delays in getting these victims to the hospital have resulted in people dying. But that's the fear.
"We build more fire stations, we make faster fire trucks, we've got helicopters to get you to the hospital," said Roberts, an expert who teaches extrication to colleagues around Florida. "But what's slowing us down are these vehicles that are harder for us to get into."
The problem has rescue workers scrambling to update their tools and explore different ways to attack cars with their cutters, spreaders and saws. Some agencies with equipment more than a few years old are arriving at accident scenes and finding out that it will no longer do the job.
"Because their shearing materials had been so successful for so many years, some agencies hadn't developed a Plan B," said Tom Hollenstain, who works to educate rescuers about new auto technology at the State Farm Insurance vehicle research center.
Leading hydraulic-tool makers such as Hurst Jaws of Life—whose namesake George Hurst introduced the first hydraulic extrication tools for auto racing in the early 1970s—must keep putting more oomph into their equipment, making it heavier and more expensive. A single Hurst cutter and power unit runs about $25,000. Add hydraulic spreaders and other tools and the price rises quickly.
A fire crew in Bonita Springs, Fla., discovered the problem last year when it rolled up on a 2007 Lexus that had overturned. Hydraulic cutters only a few years old wouldn't shear the strengthened steel roof posts, so the crew had to move quickly to cut other parts of the car. A job that should have taken a few minutes required 20 minutes of cutting and sawing to remove the driver.
Assistant Chief Ken Craft said the incident led the department to buy new heavy rescue tools costing $54,000—a sizable expense for a city of around 40,000.
"If the automakers roll out something new next year, we could be right back where we were at," Craft said. "That's the problem we're confronted with."
Mike Ader, a volunteer firefighter in Rockville, Md., recalled the layered-steel roof post from a 2008 Toyota Camry that wouldn't budge under the blades of a hydraulic cutter after a broadside crash Jan. 2. The patient, whose injuries were serious but not life-threatening, finally had to be maneuvered around the post.
Ader used two types of saws and numerous blades to remove the post after the patient was removed. The department quickly decided to buy a new, more powerful cutter.
The flip side, of course, is that more people are surviving horrific crashes that would have killed them just a few years ago.
The Fusion's passenger, for example, was hurt but conscious and joking with Roberts as the crew worked to get him out. The driver of the other vehicle—a 2001 Ford F-150 pickup—was dead at the scene.
With about three people hurt in car crashes every minute in the United States, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration spokesman Rae Tyson said he is comfortable with the trade-off. Rescue workers, he said, will have to work harder to keep up with technology, just like everybody else.
"The fatality rate for passenger vehicles is the lowest in history," Tyson said. "That, to me, is a pretty good news story."
One problem for rescue workers is how to get the latest technical information about newer cars and how to deal with them.
Later this year, the nonprofit group COMCARE Emergency Response Alliance, with cooperation from automakers, is introducing a single Web site that will offer schematics and safety specs for most cars on the road. Rescue workers could flip open a laptop computer on the way to a crash scene to find out about the construction of the car, placement of air bag canisters and other details.
Automakers say they are doing more to make safety information available to rescuers and tool makers before new models come out. For instance, Ford is already offering a look at the skeleton of the 2009 F-150 pickup, built with the strongest steel construction the company has ever used.
"We want to facilitate the discussion as much as possible, because we understand the critical nature of their work," Ford spokesman Wesley Sherwood said.
Labels: avoiding car accidents, car wreck, injury, rescue
In action movies, sometimes the hero is faced with a situation where the brakes in his car fails. Here's ideas on what to do if your brakes fail:
* Shift into a lower gear, release the clutch pedal (for manual transmissions) and apply the emergency brake.
* If your automobile has an automatic transmission, apply the emergency brake and move the gear lever into the low range position.
* Be Advised: This action can potentially cause damage to the emergency brake and to the transmission, but under the circumstances of brake failure, there is no better choice.
If your brakes become wet, you can dry them by:
* Drive the vehicle a short distance
* Apply light pressure to the brake pedal.
* The heat generated by the friction of the brakes against the brake drum will evaporate the water from the brake linings.
* To prevent excessive wear on brakes when moving down a long hill or steep grade, use a lower gear instead of the brake pedal to control speed. Shift to the lower gear at the top of the hill, before you descend.
Source: North Carolina Department of Transportation
* Shift into a lower gear, release the clutch pedal (for manual transmissions) and apply the emergency brake.
* If your automobile has an automatic transmission, apply the emergency brake and move the gear lever into the low range position.
* Be Advised: This action can potentially cause damage to the emergency brake and to the transmission, but under the circumstances of brake failure, there is no better choice.
If your brakes become wet, you can dry them by:
* Drive the vehicle a short distance
* Apply light pressure to the brake pedal.
* The heat generated by the friction of the brakes against the brake drum will evaporate the water from the brake linings.
* To prevent excessive wear on brakes when moving down a long hill or steep grade, use a lower gear instead of the brake pedal to control speed. Shift to the lower gear at the top of the hill, before you descend.
Source: North Carolina Department of Transportation
Labels: avoiding car accidents, avoiding personal injury, safe driving
A blown tire can be a scary proposition. Keeping your cool can mean the difference in a safe exit and serious injury.
* The goal in any rapid loss of tire pressure or “blowout” is to keep the vehicle balanced and controllable. Do not panic. Any over-reaction by the driver – including slamming on the brakes or abruptly removing your foot from the accelerator – can result in a loss of vehicle control.
* In any blowout situation, it’s most important to first remember the 2 things you should NOT do:
* Do not step on the brake. As instinctive as it may be, it’s the worst mistake you can make in any tire blowout situation. Applying the brakes will cause an even greater imbalance on the vehicle’s stability.
* Do not abruptly release your foot from the accelerator. This is the second worst mistake you can make. Rapidly releasing the accelerator causes the vehicle to transfer more of its weight from the rear tires to the front tires. With a flat tire, this can lead to loss of control of the vehicle.
* Instead, in any blowout situation, you should follow these 3 steps:
* Gradually release the accelerator .
* Correct the steering as necessary to stabilize your vehicle and regain control. Look where you want the vehicle to go and steer in that direction.
* Once your vehicle has stabilized, continue to slow down and pull off the road where and when you judge it’s safe to do so.
* Remember, no matter which tire blows out — front or back — the do’s and don’ts for safely maintaining control of your vehicle are exactly the same. The only difference between a front and rear tire blowout is that you will feel the force of a front blowout more in the vehicle’s steering, while you’ll feel a rear blowout more in the seat or body of the vehicle.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
* The goal in any rapid loss of tire pressure or “blowout” is to keep the vehicle balanced and controllable. Do not panic. Any over-reaction by the driver – including slamming on the brakes or abruptly removing your foot from the accelerator – can result in a loss of vehicle control.
* In any blowout situation, it’s most important to first remember the 2 things you should NOT do:
* Do not step on the brake. As instinctive as it may be, it’s the worst mistake you can make in any tire blowout situation. Applying the brakes will cause an even greater imbalance on the vehicle’s stability.
* Do not abruptly release your foot from the accelerator. This is the second worst mistake you can make. Rapidly releasing the accelerator causes the vehicle to transfer more of its weight from the rear tires to the front tires. With a flat tire, this can lead to loss of control of the vehicle.
* Instead, in any blowout situation, you should follow these 3 steps:
* Gradually release the accelerator .
* Correct the steering as necessary to stabilize your vehicle and regain control. Look where you want the vehicle to go and steer in that direction.
* Once your vehicle has stabilized, continue to slow down and pull off the road where and when you judge it’s safe to do so.
* Remember, no matter which tire blows out — front or back — the do’s and don’ts for safely maintaining control of your vehicle are exactly the same. The only difference between a front and rear tire blowout is that you will feel the force of a front blowout more in the vehicle’s steering, while you’ll feel a rear blowout more in the seat or body of the vehicle.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Labels: avoiding car accidents, safe driving, safety
It is an unfortunately fact of life that some feel they own the road and will drive aggressively - putting others at risk for injury or even death. Here are some suggestions.
How to deal with aggressive drivers
Common aggressive driving behaviors
* Running stop signs and red lights
* Speeding, tailgating, and weaving between lanes
* Passing on the right of a vehicle
* Making inappropriate hand and facial gestures
* Screaming, honking the horn, and flashing headlights
If you are confronted by an aggressive driver, or witness aggressive driving behavior, follow these guidelines:
* Make every attempt to safely move out of the aggressive driver’s way.
* Do not challenge an aggressive driver by speeding up or attempting to “hold your own” in the travel lane.
* Always wear your seat belt — not only will it hold you in your seat and behind the wheel in case you need to make an abrupt driving maneuver, but it will also protect you in a crash.
* Avoid eye contact with the aggressive driver.
* Ignore gestures, and refuse to return them.
* Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate authorities by providing a vehicle description, license number, location, and if possible, direction of travel.
* If you have a cellular phone, and can use it while driving safely, call the police. Many have special numbers such as 9-1-1 or #-7-7.
* If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash farther down the road, stop at a safe distance from the crash scene, wait for the police to arrive, and report the driving behavior that you witnessed.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
How to deal with aggressive drivers
Common aggressive driving behaviors
* Running stop signs and red lights
* Speeding, tailgating, and weaving between lanes
* Passing on the right of a vehicle
* Making inappropriate hand and facial gestures
* Screaming, honking the horn, and flashing headlights
If you are confronted by an aggressive driver, or witness aggressive driving behavior, follow these guidelines:
* Make every attempt to safely move out of the aggressive driver’s way.
* Do not challenge an aggressive driver by speeding up or attempting to “hold your own” in the travel lane.
* Always wear your seat belt — not only will it hold you in your seat and behind the wheel in case you need to make an abrupt driving maneuver, but it will also protect you in a crash.
* Avoid eye contact with the aggressive driver.
* Ignore gestures, and refuse to return them.
* Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate authorities by providing a vehicle description, license number, location, and if possible, direction of travel.
* If you have a cellular phone, and can use it while driving safely, call the police. Many have special numbers such as 9-1-1 or #-7-7.
* If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash farther down the road, stop at a safe distance from the crash scene, wait for the police to arrive, and report the driving behavior that you witnessed.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Labels: avoiding car accidents, safe driving, safety
Hopefully we won't have to consider this one when driving in Georgia.
How to Drive During Earthquakes
Experiencing an earthquake while in a moving vehicle has been compared to driving on four flat tires. If an earthquake occurs while you are driving:
* Gradually decrease speed.
* Pull to the side of the road when it is safe to do so.
* Do not stop on or under overpasses or bridges.
* Do not drive until local authorities have deemed it safe to do so.
* Avoid parking near trees, downed power lines and buildings.
* Stop the car and keep your seat belt fastened.
* Remain in your car until the shaking stops.
* Keep in mind that aftershocks follow the initial earthquake.
* Turn on your car radio and listen for advisories (most radio stations are prepared to broadcast emergency information).
* If driving on the freeway, and if it's safe to do so, exit at the first opportunity.
* Be especially careful for mudslides and rockslides as earthquakes can jar loose these materials.
Be prepared by stocking the following items in your vehicle:
* Fully equipped first aid kit
* Bottled water
* Blanket or sleeping bag
* Flashlight with extra batteries and bulb
* Fire extinguisher
* Pocket radio with extra batteries
* Local maps
* Matches
* Prescription medicine
Sources: FEMA.gov, US Geological Survey, Association of Bay Area Governments
How to Drive During Earthquakes
Experiencing an earthquake while in a moving vehicle has been compared to driving on four flat tires. If an earthquake occurs while you are driving:
* Gradually decrease speed.
* Pull to the side of the road when it is safe to do so.
* Do not stop on or under overpasses or bridges.
* Do not drive until local authorities have deemed it safe to do so.
* Avoid parking near trees, downed power lines and buildings.
* Stop the car and keep your seat belt fastened.
* Remain in your car until the shaking stops.
* Keep in mind that aftershocks follow the initial earthquake.
* Turn on your car radio and listen for advisories (most radio stations are prepared to broadcast emergency information).
* If driving on the freeway, and if it's safe to do so, exit at the first opportunity.
* Be especially careful for mudslides and rockslides as earthquakes can jar loose these materials.
Be prepared by stocking the following items in your vehicle:
* Fully equipped first aid kit
* Bottled water
* Blanket or sleeping bag
* Flashlight with extra batteries and bulb
* Fire extinguisher
* Pocket radio with extra batteries
* Local maps
* Matches
* Prescription medicine
Sources: FEMA.gov, US Geological Survey, Association of Bay Area Governments
Labels: avoiding car accidents, safe driving, safety
Flood Safety
Keep in mind suggestions for driving in thunderstorms.
* Flooding can occur as streams and rivers flow over their banks, when dams or levees break, with run-off from deep snow cover, or any time there is rainfall with significant duration and intensity.
* Flash floods can come rapidly and unexpectedly. They can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, or when a dam or levee fails and even a sudden release of water held by an ice or debris jam. Be cautious during storm seasons, or any time that flooding is common in your area.
* You may not have warning that a flash flood is approaching.
* Do not drive unless necessary.
* Do not drive through flooded areas. If you see a flooded-out roadway ahead, turn around and find another route to get to your destination.
* If there is no other route, proceed to higher ground and wait for the waters to subside.
* Even if the water appears shallow enough to cross, do not attempt to cross a flooded road. Water can conceal dips, or worse, floodwaters can damage roadways, washing away the entire road surface and a significant amount of ground.
* If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
* Remember, 6 inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling.
* One foot of water will float many vehicles.
* Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including SUV's and pick-ups.
Sources: FEMA.gov, NOAA.gov
Keep in mind suggestions for driving in thunderstorms.
* Flooding can occur as streams and rivers flow over their banks, when dams or levees break, with run-off from deep snow cover, or any time there is rainfall with significant duration and intensity.
* Flash floods can come rapidly and unexpectedly. They can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, or when a dam or levee fails and even a sudden release of water held by an ice or debris jam. Be cautious during storm seasons, or any time that flooding is common in your area.
* You may not have warning that a flash flood is approaching.
* Do not drive unless necessary.
* Do not drive through flooded areas. If you see a flooded-out roadway ahead, turn around and find another route to get to your destination.
* If there is no other route, proceed to higher ground and wait for the waters to subside.
* Even if the water appears shallow enough to cross, do not attempt to cross a flooded road. Water can conceal dips, or worse, floodwaters can damage roadways, washing away the entire road surface and a significant amount of ground.
* If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
* Remember, 6 inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling.
* One foot of water will float many vehicles.
* Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including SUV's and pick-ups.
Sources: FEMA.gov, NOAA.gov
Labels: avoiding car accidents, safe driving, safety
Hail Storms
* Tune in to your radio to stay informed of approaching storms.
* If you see a tornado or hear a tornado warning, don't try to outrun it. View tornado driving safety tips.
* Turn on your headlights (low beams) and slow down. Many states require the use of headlights during rain.
* Allow extra distance for braking.
* Do not drive unless necessary.
* Pull safely onto the shoulder of the road away from any trees that could fall on the vehicle.
* If at all possible, pull into a sturdy garage, parking garage, or under a shelter to minimize hail damage.
* Stay in the car and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rains subside.
* Avoid downed power lines.
* Approach intersections with caution
* Treat traffic lights at intersections as stop signs
* After the storm, thoroughly evaluate your vehicle for damage.
* If you find glass damage, carefully remove any glass from the interior of your vehicle, and cover the damaged area to prevent further water damage to your interior.
Treat Hail storms in much the same way you would handle a thunderstorm.
Sources: FEMA.gov, NOAA.gov
* Tune in to your radio to stay informed of approaching storms.
* If you see a tornado or hear a tornado warning, don't try to outrun it. View tornado driving safety tips.
* Turn on your headlights (low beams) and slow down. Many states require the use of headlights during rain.
* Allow extra distance for braking.
* Do not drive unless necessary.
* Pull safely onto the shoulder of the road away from any trees that could fall on the vehicle.
* If at all possible, pull into a sturdy garage, parking garage, or under a shelter to minimize hail damage.
* Stay in the car and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rains subside.
* Avoid downed power lines.
* Approach intersections with caution
* Treat traffic lights at intersections as stop signs
* After the storm, thoroughly evaluate your vehicle for damage.
* If you find glass damage, carefully remove any glass from the interior of your vehicle, and cover the damaged area to prevent further water damage to your interior.
Treat Hail storms in much the same way you would handle a thunderstorm.
Sources: FEMA.gov, NOAA.gov
Labels: avoiding car accidents, safe driving, safety
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