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, […]

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. […]

PA Car Accident Attorney Says Expected Increase in Fourth of July Car Travel Raises Need to Keep Safety in Mind

Scranton, PA, June 29, 2012 — Pennsylvania car accident lawyer Caroline Munley today urged the state’s residents to keep safety in mind as decreasing gas prices fuel an expected upsurge in drivers on the road this July 4th holiday.

“As more people hit the road to celebrate Independence Day and for early summer vacations, the increase in traffic congestion raises the need to be mindful of safe driving practices,” said Munley, managing partner of the Pennsylvania personal injury firm of Munley Law in Scranton.

“We urge travelers to refrain from fatigued driving, drinking and driving and distracted driving, such as using cell phones for talking or texting while driving, which are all major causes of car accidents,” she said.

The AAA auto club said it expects 42.3 million Americans to travel more than 50 miles from home over the Independence Day period, […]

Pennsylvania Accident Victims Should Request a Copy of Their Vehicle Accident Report

Earlier this month our PA truck accident lawyers offered some information regarding vehicle accident investigations.  However, we did not include information on the crash report and what happens with all the information that is compiled – and how you can access that information.   Below we explain the importance of a Pennsylvania crash report.

The Pennsylvania State Police, along with the state’s nearly 1,300 local municipal police departments, have a duty to investigate each traffic accident that occurs on the Pennsylvania roadways.  That is no easy task with over 120,000 miles of roads and highways in the state.  According to the 2010 Pennsylvania Crash Facts and Statistics, in 2010, PA police investigated 121,312 traffic crashes.  Of those accidents, 1,324 people died and 87,949 were injured.

When police come upon accidents the scene is often chaotic.   The police must first make sure all of the accident victims are properly attended to and then they need to redirect traffic.  […]