Munley Law Blog

Phone-related driver distraction still on the rise

Cellphones have been a root cause of distracted driving since they first became popular in the 1990s.  However, cellphone manipulation while driving continues to change.  A 2018 study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in Virginia found that drivers were 57% more likely to be found manipulating or using a cellphone than a survey conducted in 2014.  According to the IIHS, cellphone use was a contributing factor in over 800 crash deaths in the United States in 2017 alone.  But while drivers were less likely to be seen simply holding or talking on a cell phone in 2018 than 2014, they were more likely to be observed actually manipulating their phones.

                In 2014, only
2.4% of Virginia drivers were observed using their cellphones.  However, in 2018 this number rose to
3.4%.  This is compared to the 4.1% of
Virginia drivers observed talking on a cellphone in 2014, […]

Gov’t shutdown halted investigation of deadly crashes

Amid the 35-day partial government shutdown earlier this year, NTSB investigations of deadly crashes were put on hold. At this point, crucial evidence may be lost forever.

On December 22, 2018, the United
States government came to a grinding halt in what would become the longest
government shutdown in U.S. history.  The
shutdown, which was temporarily brought to an end on January 25, 2019, not only
left government workers furloughed or working without pay for 35 days, but also
negatively impacted several federal agencies and organizations.

                One such agency is the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).  The NTSB is responsible for determining the probable cause of transportation accidents, promoting transportation safety, and assisting victims of transportation accidents and their families.  Any delay in investigations has the potential to prevent insurance companies from paying claims to victims and their families as well as preventing justice from being served in the event of criminal cases. […]

Trucking app promises progress, but raises safety questions

Technology has the capacity to transform the trucking industry and improve truck drivers’ way of life. Of course, that technology comes with questions about highway safety and to what extent tech companies can be held liable as their products become increasingly central to our lives.

The trucking industry is a fast-paced, competitive environment worth hundreds of billions of dollars. This market, combined with the overall unavailability of a direct and easy way for truckers to arrange the loads they haul, leaves a gap for the ever-growing technological advancement of our modern age to creep in. In 2013, Drew McElroy and Jonathan Salama took advantage of this gap to create the app “Transfix.” This app aims to make it easier for independent truckers to schedule loads, thereby decreasing the amount of time a truck may sit empty, losing money. Typically, independent truck drivers rely on freight brokers to schedule the loads they haul. […]

It’s resolution time: Four ways to be a better driver in 2019

It’s that time
of year again, when the beginning of a new year motivates people to make
resolutions and work hard to better themselves. 
These resolutions often include eating healthier, working out more
often, and spending less time on social media. 
But one thing that is often, quite unfortunately, overlooked is the
desire to practice safer driving habits. 
These resolutions do not have to be complicated, and can simply focus on
being a more vigilant, responsible driver when behind the wheel.  Here are a few easy resolutions to help you
become a safer, better driver in 2019.

            Always keep your focus on the road and your surroundings.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), thousands of people are killed each year via accidents caused by distracted driving.  Make a promise to yourself to put down your phone, avoid letting passengers distract you, […]

Pennsylvania’s new DUI law goes into effect

A new DUI law, Act 153, went into effect in Pennsylvania on December 23, 2018, introducing tougher penalties for repeat offenders.

What’s new about this law?

Under the new DUI law, individuals convicted of a third DUI with a BAC of .16 or higher, or those convicted of four (or more) DUI’s can be charged with a felony. Under the previous law, Pennsylvania was one of only a few states in which a third DUI was treated as a misdemeanor.

The new law also increases penalties for offenders who cause the death of another person while driving under the influence. Increased penalties include potential felony charges for repeat offenders, and an additional five years of prison time for someone who commits homicide by vehicle while driving without a license or with a suspended license.

Additionally, […]