PA Drivers Have Opportunity to Participate in PennDOT Survey

Our Pennsylvania car accident attorneys have continuously urged PA drivers to drive safely when on our highways.  We also strive to present articles regarding safety initiatives and campaigns aimed at improving highway safety.  Now, Pennsylvania residents have the opportunity to be heard regarding the efficacy of the state’s traffic safety enforcement and their peers’ driving behaviors.

PennDOT has published its Highway Safety Planning Survey online at www.JustDrivePA.com.  The survey questions focus on several key safety initiatives: seat belt use, impaired driving, speeding, motorcycles, distracted driving.  Each state is required to complete this survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Residents have until July 27 to complete their feedback.  The survey is anonymous, although information is maintained on gender and zip code of residence.

Palmer-Forks Patch reports that more than 3,500 people responded to last year’s survey.

According to PennDOT’s website, […]

Pennsylvania Drivers Encouraged to Observe National Cell Phone Courtesy Month

Just last week we reported on the U.S. Department of Transportation‘s initiative to combat distracted driving – the Blueprint for Ending Distracted Driving.  Our Pennsylvania car accident attorneys are committed to raising awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, most often caused by cellphone use behind the wheel.  Now, “National Cell Phone Courtesy Month” runs through July, and PA drivers have yet one more opportunity to put down their cellphones when driving.

Jacqueline Moore, an international etiquette expert, began the cellphone courtesy initiative in 2002 when she realized that many Americans were unsure of the etiquette around cellphone use.  Although her intent of the campaign is to encourage others to be more respectful of their surroundings while using their cell phone, as distracted driving becomes more widespread, cellphone courtesy should extend to vehicles.   According to government statistics, over 3,000 Americans lose their lives every year on U.S. […]

Pennsylvania Fourth of July Car Accident Statistics Point to Risky Behavior

Pennsylvania State Police released the traffic accident statistics from the long Fourth of July weekend. Sadly, too many people lost their lives due to risky driving behaviors such as drunk driving and not buckling up.

According to the press release, nine people were killed and 312 people were injured in a total of 845 Pennsylvania car crashes during the Fourth of July holiday driving period.  Seven of those killed were not wearing seat belts.  85 of the car crashes were alcohol-related, including four of the fatalities. During the same period, state troopers arrested 432 people for driving under the influence.

“I’m disappointed that so many drivers still get behind the wheel after drinking,” State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said. “And it’s clear that far too many people don’t buckle up when they travel. The numbers illustrate once again that risky behavior, such as drinking and driving or not wearing a seat belt, […]

The IIHS Suggests Toughening Up Pennsylvania’s Graduated License Program

Pennsylvania’s graduated licensing (GDL) program has been identified by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) as one of the best GDL programs in the nation.  In a recent study, the IIHS honed in on five components of GDL’s that can improve safety among teen drivers.  Although PA meets many of the requirements, there is still room for improvement.

In March, we offered detailed information about the GDL after the USA Today did a featured story on teen driving.  In 2010, Governor Tom Corbett tightened the restrictions for teen drivers by enhancing the GDL.  However, the IIHS believes that by adding even stricter requirements in Pennsylvania, the state could see a 27% reduction in teen accidents.

In 2010, there were 27,149 crashes involving drivers between the ages of 16 and 20.  There were 57 car crash deaths in accidents in 2010 that involved a 16- or 17-year-old driver. […]

Pennsylvania Drivers Urged to Read DOT’s Blueprint for Ending Distracted Driving

Our Pennsylvania truck accident attorneys have continually stressed the dangers and the tragedy of distracted driving.  Just last month we presented information about a young teen who is now serving jail time due to a distracted driving accident that resulted in the death of a 55-year-old man.  For some, unfortunately, a serious jolt such as an accident is what it takes to wake them up to the dangers of distracted driving.

However, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who has been steadfast in his battle to end distracted driving in the United States, hopes to end accidents caused by distracted drivers.  Now, under his direction, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has launched its Blueprint for Ending Distracted Driving.

The blueprint, according to LaHood’s blog, Fast Lane, “is putting critical safety information into the hands of those who can make the biggest difference. […]