The hazards of summer driving

Summer may bring bright skies and sunny weather, but motorists still need to be cautious when driving on our nation’s highways. The clear conditions may cause some to throw caution to the wind and act carelessly, speeding or simply not paying attention. Pennsylvania State Police also report an increase in traffic and motorist assists throughout the summer.

In addition to normal daily traffic this time of year, the roads are filled with travelers heading to their summer vacation destinations. Following are some driving hazards to watch for this summer. With a little planning, many can be avoided.

• Summer Breakdowns – High temperature can aggravate existing tire damage and cause blowouts and flats. Overheating is another frequent issue for drivers in the summer. The high temperatures and increased use of the car’s air conditioner can cause cooling system problems. Low coolant levels, leaks, and broken electric cooling fans can all result in overheating and damage. […]

PA personal injury lawyer: more people are buckling up

Seat belt use in 2013 reached 87%, up just slightly from 86% in 2012. The results came from National Occupant Protection Use Survey done annually by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The survey found that seat belt use for occupants in the Northeast rose at an even higher rate, from 80% in 2012, to 84% in 2013. Seat belt use was higher for occupants when travelling on expressways and in heavier traffic than on surface streets and in when traffic was lighter. The study also found that occupants in a pickup truck were less likely to use a seatbelt than those in a car, van or SUV.

The National Safety Council refers to seat belts are the single most effective traffic safety device for preventing death and injury. Although the NHTSA reports that seat belts can reduce the risk of crash injuries by 50%, […]

Memorial Day starts the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers

Nothing kills more teens in Pennsylvania than car crashes and no other group on the road has a higher risk of crash. The National Safety Council (NSC) warns parents that Memorial Day kicks off the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers, as many teens are out of school and on the road more frequently during the summer months.

Some of the key contributors to crashes involving teens include driver inexperience, driver distractions, speeding and driving carelessly. Summer driving also tends to be more recreational for teens, and they may be carrying more passengers than at other times of the year. Passengers increase the risk of a fatal crash involving a teen by at least 44%. Pennsylvania laws restrict the number of passengers in cars with drivers holding a junior driver’s license. A driver is not permitted to have more than one passenger under age 18 who is not an immediate family member unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. […]

PA personal injury lawyer warns drivers this Memorial Day

Time magazine reports that there are 13% more traffic deaths over Memorial Day weekend compared to a typical non-holiday weekend, making it the second most dangerous holiday in America, after the Fourth of July.

The traditional summer-kick-off, Memorial Day weekend is one of the biggest weekends of the year for road travel. According to AAA, 36.1 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the weekend, and 88% will drive. Frustrated drivers eager to get away for the long weekend may be speeding and driving more aggressively. According to a study by the National Coalition for Safer Roads, the number of drivers who ran a red light on Memorial Day weekend last year is 27% higher than compared to the average holiday weekend.

The National Safety Council estimates there will be 382 traffic fatalities during Memorial day weekend this year and 40,900 medically consulted injuries that occur from motor vehicle collisions. […]

Graduation time dangerous for teen drivers

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) graduation time is one of the most dangerous times for teens on the road. Texting, underage drinking, and other distractions lead to tragedies that can be avoided through communication and education.

Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in our country and about a third of those are alcohol related, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Interestingly, more than one-third of the year’s alcohol-related teen car fatalities occur around prom and graduation time.

In addition to an increase in teen drinking around these events, there is also an increase in nerves and excitement. It has been determined that the crash rate for teens goes up with additional passengers in the car, as this causes added distractions. A 2012 study by AAA concluded that the risk increases by almost half when a 16- or 17-year-old driver has one teenage passenger, […]