Guest Post: Texting and Driving – It Can Wait

We are pleased to share this post from guest blogger Craig Conover, a writer from Pittsburgh, PA, with an interest in all things technology.

Despite the fact that texting and driving have been banned in the state of Pennsylvania — and 43 other states, for that matter — people are still participating in the extremely dangerous activity. So much so that the city of Erie has taken part in a no-text-and-drive campaign to drive home the message that we need to put an end to distracted driving.

According to Your Erie, the campaign mostly focuses on reducing the number of teenagers using their phones while out on the road. They reported that 32 percent of teens who own phones use them to text when they’re behind the wheel. Additionally, 13 percent of drivers aged 18 to 20 who have been in a collision admitted that they were using their phone or other mobile devices when the incident occurred. […]

What you MUST know before buying car insurance

One of the most important factors in determining whether you are able to take legal action after a car accident is the tort option on your auto insurance policy. Unfortunately, many people don’t know what tort option they have.

Listen as Attorney Marion Munley explains the difference between full and limited tort, and why it makes a big difference.

Full Tort vs. Limited Tort

When buying car insurance In Pennsylvania, you have the option to choose full tort or limited tort. Full tort allows you to pursue legal action in the event of an accident, regardless of the severity of your injuries. Limited tort, on the other hand, limits your right to compensation in an auto accident. And, this limitation does not just apply to you – it may also apply to the other members of your household. […]

Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety Rank States in Annual Report

Pennsylvania still lacking in some driver safety laws

On January 22, the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety released their 12th annual “Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws” report. The report outlines the number of people killed and injured in motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2013 (the latest data available), and what can be done to improve safety on our nation’s roads.  Areas of focus include child passenger safety, teen drivers, impaired driving, distracted driving, seat belt and helmet laws.  The report also provides a state-by-state breakdown of where safety laws are enforced, and issues “green” “yellow” and “red” ratings based on this. See how your state compares to the rest of the country when it comes to safety laws and traffic deaths. If you want clear, reader-friendly analysis or quick facts about car accidents where you live, […]

NYC’s “mean streets” just got a little nicer: 2014 saw the fewest pedestrian deaths in a century

Pedestrian deaths in NYC were at an all-time low in 2014. That year, the city saw the fewest fatal pedestrian accidents (132) since they started keeping track one hundred years ago.

Overall traffic fatalities fell from 293 to 248.

Such a drop seems incredible, particularly for a city with as much vehicle and pedestrian traffic as New York. So, how did they accomplish this? It is due in part to a mission implemented by Mayor Bill de Blasio and the NYPD called “Vision Zero,” an ambitious plan aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities in New York.  The plan involved lowering the speed limit and stepping up law enforcement. The city reduced speed limits from 30mph to 25mph, and increased the number of tickets issued for failing to yield to pedestrians by 126%.  The Taxi and Limousine Commission also issued thousands more for safety-related violations. […]

Contemplating a new car? IIHS names 71 safest

Amid a series of safety issues and recalls this year, there is good news for drivers: more vehicles meet stricter safety standards in 2015.

It’s been a rough year for the auto-safety world, with recalls from GM followed by recalls from airbag manufacturer Takata affecting vehicles from seven major automakers. Last week, Takata’s president, Stephan Stocker, stepped down from his position.  He will remain with the company as a board member; Chairman Shigehisa Takada will take his place. Both Takada and Stocker, as well as other Takata executives, will reportedly take 50% pay cuts in the coming months.

While Takata has refused to expand the recall on its airbags nationwide, automakers including Honda, Chrysler, Ford, Mazda, and BMW have issued a nationwide recall on their vehicles containing Takata airbags.

But, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety offers drivers hope as they announced last week that their list of vehicles earning the  two top safety ratings (Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+) is nearly twice as long as last year’s – and that’s with tougher criteria. […]