This is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, Drowsy Drivers responsible for nearly 17% of Fatal Crashes
A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety about drowsy driving in America has found some surprising results, including that about 16.5% of all fatal crashes involve a driver who was drowsy.
AAA released the study, entitled Asleep at the Wheel: The Prevalence and Impact of Drowsy Driving, today in honor of the National Sleep Foundation’s public awareness campaign called Drowsy Driving Prevention Week occurring November 8-14 this year.
“When you are behind the wheel of a car, being sleepy is very dangerous. Sleepiness decreases awareness, slows reaction time and impairs judgment, just like drugs or alcohol, contributing to the possibility of a crash,” AAA Foundation President and CEO Peter Kissinger said in a press release. “We need to change the culture so that not only will drivers recognize the dangers of driving while drowsy but will stop doing it.”
For this study, AAA analyzed crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and telephone surveyed 2,000 drivers in the United States.
In addition to one in every six fatal crashes involving a drowsy driver, researchers also found that 12.5% of auto crashes with injuries requiring hospitalization are from drowsy driving. These study findings are surprising because they are dramatically higher than previous estimates and may suggest that motor vehicle crashes, injuries and deaths attributed to drowsy driving are under reported.
41% of drivers surveyed admitted they have fallen asleep at the wheel in their lifetime. While 96% of drivers surveyed said that driving while so tired they have trouble keeping their eyes open was “unacceptable,” 27% of drivers admitted they had driven in such a state within the last month, and more than half of those said it occurred on a high-speed divided highway.
To remain alert and avoid drowsiness, AAA suggests:
- Getting plenty of sleep (at least six hours) the night before a long trip;
- Scheduling a break every two hours or every 100 miles;
- Traveling at times when you are normally awake, and staying overnight rather than driving straight through; and
- Stop driving if you become sleepy; someone who is tired could fall asleep at any time.
Learn to recognize the symptoms of drowsy driving, these include but are not limited to:
- You have trouble keeping your eyes open and focused
- You can’t keep your head up
- You daydream or have wandering, disconnected thoughts
- You yawn frequently or rub your eyes repeatedly
- You find yourself drifting from your lane or tailgating
- You miss signs or drive past your exit
- You feel irritable and restless
- You drift off the road and hit the rumble strips
- You are unable to remember how far you have traveled or what you have recently passed by.
"Many of us tend to underestimate the negative effects associated with fatigue and sleep deprivation and, conversely, overestimate our abilities to overcome them while driving," said Kathleen Marvaso, vice president, AAA Public Affairs. "This data underscores the importance of educating drivers on the simple, yet effective steps they can take to prevent a possible tragedy. Unfortunately, too many drivers have adopted the ‘I’m tired, but I can make it’ mentality, often to their own peril or to the peril of others."
Separate drowsy driving myth from fact and find out how to avoid drowsy driving today.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a not-for-profit, publicly-supported charitable educational and research organization whose mission it is to identify problems, foster research that seeks solutions, and disseminate information and educational materials that promote good traffic safety practices.
Distracted Driving Caused 16% of All Traffic Fatalities in 2009, says Govt. Report
A new report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says accidents involving reports of distracted driving caused 16% of all traffic fatalities in 2009, up from 10% in 2005.
The NHTSA defines “distraction” as a specific type of inattention that occurs when drivers divert their attention from the driving task to focus on some other activity instead, including use of hand held devices such as cell phones.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood released the report entitled Distracted Driving 2009 today in advance of the second National Distracted Driving Summit held on September 21, 2010, in Washington, DC.
“These numbers show that distracted driving remains an epidemic in America, and they are just the tip of the iceberg,” said Secretary LaHood. ”Tomorrow, I’m convening our second Distracted Driving Summit in the hopes that we can continue to draw attention to the dangers of distracted driving and work together to save lives.”
Other key findings of the report:
- In 2009, 5,474 people were killed on U.S. roadways and an estimated additional 448,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes that were reported to have involved distracted driving (FARS and GES).
- Of those people killed in distracted-driving-related crashes, 995 involved reports of a cell phone as a distraction (18% of fatalities in distraction-related crashes).
- Of those injured in distracted-driving-related crashes, 24,000 involved reports of a cell phone as a distraction (5% of injured people in distraction-related crashes).
- Twenty percent of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving.
- The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under-20 age group – 16 percent of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving.
- Of those drivers involved in fatal crashes who were reportedly distracted, the 30- to 39-year-olds had the highest proportion of cell phone involvement.
Secretary Ray LaHood wrote an op-ed piece appearing in the Orlando News Sentinel today entitled Save lives on the road – hang up and drive. The article told the story of the driver of a tractor-trailer distracted by texting who plowed into the back of one car and set off a chain reaction involving eight more vehicles, killing two people.
Attending the National Distracted Driving Summit this year are leading transportation officials, safety advocates, law enforcement, industry representatives, researchers, and victims affected by distraction-related crashes to address challenges and identify opportunities for national anti-distracted driving efforts. Key topics will include research, technology, policy, public outreach and best practices in enforcement.
You can find out more at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s distracted driving website http://www.distraction.gov/
Working together, we can put an end to the thousands of needless deaths and injuries caused by distracted driving each year,” said Secretary LaHood in a press release about the Summit. “By getting the best minds together, I believe we can figure out how to get people to put down their phones and pay attention to the road.”
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Asks Government to Require Antilock Brakes on Motorcycles
A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) that found antilock brakes significantly reduce motorcycle crashes has prompted the organization to ask that the federal government require motorcycle manufacturers to make the technology standard equipment on all new motorcycles.
Motorcycles with antilock brakes are 37 percent less likely to be in fatal crashes that motorcycles with non-antilock brakes, according to the IIHS study.
There are more than 7 million motorcycles registered in the United States. 2008 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 5,290 motorcyclists were killed and 96,000 motorcyclists injured in accidents during 2008.
“The best motorcycle crash is one that never happens,” said IIHS president Adrian Lund in a press release. “Traveling on 2 wheels instead of 4 is always riskier, but our new research shows that antilock brake technology can make motorcycle riding a much safer way to get around.”
On a motorcycle, the rider must decide to apply the either the front brake, rear brake or both, sometimes having to make that decision in a split second to avoid an accident. If the rider brakes hard, the wheels may lock up and cause the bike to overturn. Antilock technology prevents this by evaluating brake pressure multiple times per second, reducing pressure when detecting an impending lockup and increasing pressure when traction is restored.
The IIHS wants the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to make antilock brakes mandatory on all new motorcycles. In July 2009, the NHTSA said it was considering requiring new safety features such as antilock brakes on motorcycles. “An additional year of data and additional analyses are needed to determine the statistical significance of the results,” the NHTSA said.
See a list of 2010 model motorcycles with antilock brakes standard or as an option.
The insurance industry funds IIHS. According to the organization’s website, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an independent, nonprofit, scientific, and educational organization dedicated to reducing the losses — deaths, injuries, and property damage — from crashes on the nation’s highways.
Utica DWI Woman Twice Legal Limit and Driving with Four Children
A Utica woman is facing serious charges under Leandra’s Law for driving under the influence and having four young children in the car.
New York State Police received a report of about 11:15 p.m. Friday night of a female driver who hit a tollbooth while getting on the Thruway at the Williamsville, NY toll plaza, causing minor damage and leaving the scene. Police began searching for the vehicle and pulled over Jolie Nourse, 43, of Utica, in Cheektowaga near Buffalo.
According to New York State Police, Nourse had a blood alcohol content of .19%, which is more than twice the legal limit of .08%. At that time, she thought she was in Rochester, more than 70 miles away. She had four children in the vehicle, three toddlers identified as Nourse’s adopted children and one infant who is her foster child. The police notified Child Protective Services and all four children were released to Nourse’s sister.
Police charged Nourse under Leandra’s Law with felony DWI, four counts of endangering the welfare of a child, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and moving from a lane unsafely. She was arraigned in Cheektowaga Town Court and remains at the Erie County Holding Center in lieu of $500 bail.
The Child Passenger Protection Act, known as Leandra’s Law, went into effect December 18 and makes driving drunk with a child under age 16 in the car a felony. It sets stiff penalties for violators, including possible prison time.
Leandra’s Law is named in honor of 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, who was killed October 11 when Carmen Huertes, drunk, speeding and carrying 7 teenage girls, flipped her car on the Henry Hudson Parkway, ejecting Leandra Rosado from the vehicle.
If you, your child or loved one has been injured or your child or loved one killed in an auto accident, Napoli Bern Ripka LLP has the experience and knowledge needed to successfully handle your auto accident case. Contact us immediately after an auto accident and we will discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan of action to help you get compensation for your injuries, property damage or a loved one’s wrongful death. Visit www.NapoliBern.com or call 1-888-529-4669 to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
Sources:
http://www.wktv.com/news/local/80138282.html
http://www.cnycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=394387
Crash Amputates Leg of Bronx Man While He Changed Tire on I-95
A horrific crash this morning on I-95 in Mamaroneck, NY left one man without part of his leg.
About 7:30 a.m., an accident occurred on I-95 northbound just south of Exit 18A, Fennimore Road, resulting in minor injuries.
Ten minutes later, 26-year-old Sylvia Cabrera of New Rochelle, NY steered around the accident, lost control of her Nissan Altima and struck a man changing a flat tire of his Toyota Corolla on the interstate shoulder.
The impact amputated the lower left leg of Fernando Roman, 47, of the Bronx. Emergency crews transported the victim to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla for treatment.
The accidents backed up morning commuter traffic and closed northbound lanes of I-95 for nearly three hours while emergency crews and state police cleared the accident scene.
The accident remains under investigation, but state police filed no charges against Cabrera at this time.
If you or loved one has been injured or a loved one killed in an auto accident, Napoli Bern Ripka LLP has the experience and knowledge needed to successfully handle your auto accident case. Contact us immediately after an auto accident and we will discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan of action to help you get compensation for your injuries, property damage or a loved one’s wrongful death. Call 1-888-529-4669 today to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
Sources:
Off-Duty NYPD Officer Charged in Fatal DWI Crash
- New York
Andrew Kelly, 30, seven-year veteran of the NYPD, was arrested at the scene and charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated after he struck and killed Vionique Valnord, 32, in a early morning crash at the corner of Ave. N and E. 56th St. in Old Mill Basin.
Valnord, the daughter of Brooklyn Pastor Varius Valnord, was leaving a wedding over which her father had presided at the American Legion Hall and hailing a cab when Kelly’s Jeep Grand Cherokee mowed her down around 1 am Sunday morning. According to police and witnesses, Valnord suffered massive injuries and later died at King’s County Hospital.
“The officers who responded to that accident detected a smell of alcohol on the driver’s breath,” said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly at morning news conference.
The accident is under investigation as police interview witnesses and passengers in Kelly’s vehicle, including another off-duty NYPD officer. They will also try to determine if the night’s rain and fog played a role in the accident.
New York City has a higher rate of pedestrian/motor vehicle accidents that the rest of the state combined. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles 2007 Summary of Pedestrian/Motor Vehicle Accidents, of 15,127 police reported accidents involving a pedestrian in the state of New York, 10,586 or 70% were investigated by the New York City Police Department. Of those investigated by the NYPD, people in 10,445 accidents suffered injuries and 136 were fatal.
The attorneys at Napoli Bern Ripka LLP are experienced in handling motor vehicle accident cases and can help you negotiate with the insurance carrier or help you to arrange specialized medical care. We can also help you prepare for the possibility of taking your case to court. If you, a family member or someone you know, have been the victim of a pedestrian vs. motor vehicle accident, contact us today to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to take to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. Call 1-888-529-4669 or visit www.napolibern.com.
Sources:
http://ny1.com/content/top_stories/default.aspx?ArID=106427
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Summary of Pedestrian/Motor Vehicle Accidents 2007
found at http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/stats.htm
New Child Booster Seat Law to Take Effect
New York – September 26, 2009
On November 24, New York law [Section 1229-c(1), NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law] takes effect and requires the use of booster seats or other appropriate child restraint systems for four, five and six year olds. A child restraint system is a device that is used in conjunction with safety belts, designed to restrain, seat or position a child in a motor vehicle and meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. These systems may include a child safety seat, harness/vest or booster seat which when used appropriately must meet the child’s height, weight and size recommendations of the manufacturer. A booster seat must be used with a lap AND shoulder belt.
Previously, the law required children four, five and six years old to use only adult safety belts placing them at increased risk of injury and death, but seat belts are designed to fit adults, not children. Young children, who use only seat belts rather than booster seats or child safety seats, are more likely to suffer life-threatening injuries, including severe damage to the brain, spleen, liver and spinal cord.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children age 3 to 6 and 8 to 14. In 2007, 6,532 passenger vehicle occupants 14 and younger were involved in fatal crashes. Most crashes occur close to home (within 25 miles). Most crashes occur at speeds of less than 30-mph and severe injury can happen even at these low speeds. A crash can happen when you least expect it, so it is important for everyone to buckle up every time they ride in a vehicle. Properly installed child safety seats and booster seats can help save a child’s life.
To determine if your child needs a booster seat, what type of booster seat is required and how to choose the appropriate booster seat, please download the brochure from the New York Department of Health here http://www.health.state.ny.us/prevention/injury_prevention/booster_seat.htm.
Parents and caregivers are urged to make sure their car seats and booster seats are properly installed in their vehicles to prevent injuries and deaths amongst their children. You can find NHTSA Child Safety Seat Inspection Stations in your area here http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm.
If you or anyone you know has been injured in a car accident, you need an attorney to fight for your rights and ensure you receive all compensation due to you. At Napoli Bern Ripka LLP, we have the experience and knowledge needed to successfully handle car accident cases. Contact us immediately after a car accident and we will discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan of action to help you get compensation for your injuries or property damage. Call toll free 888-529-4669 or visit our website www.NapoliBern.com.
References:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/prevention/injury_prevention/booster_seat.htm
http://www.health.state.ny.us/publications/3090.pdf
http://open.nysenate.gov/openleg/api/html/bill/S3623
