What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted Driving is when a person operates a motor vehicle while engaging in activities that divert attention from driving tasks, such as:
- Talking on a cell phone
- Using a navigation system
- Texting or emailing
- Eating
- Adjusting hair or makeup
- Using the audio system
- Texting
What is Distracted Driving?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Distracted driving is any activity that…takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.” Studies have shown that texting while driving significantly increases the likelihood of a crash or near-crash event. The detrimental effects of distracted driving can range from minor fender-benders to severe accidents resulting in life-altering injuries or fatalities.
Understanding the risks associated with distracted driving and adopting safe driving practices can help mitigate its adverse impacts on road safety and overall public safety.
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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. […]
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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. […]
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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, […]
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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. […]
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Parents Urged to Keep Laundry Pods Away from Children
Once again, manufacturers of a product intended for use by adults have packaged a product in a way that appeals to children, leading to injury. We previously reported on Buckyballs, an adult stress-relieving toy that is made of small magnets, that appeals to young children who swallow the magnets, requiring surgery. Now, ABC News reports that children are mistaking the new single-dose laundry detergent packets, such as Tide Pods, for candy.
An 18-month-old child had to be rushed to the emergency room with severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea after he swallowed a pod believing it to be candy. Five months later, according to ABC News, nearly 1,200 children have been treated for swallowing laundry detergent, and eleven of them are critically ill on ventilators. The new laundry packets were first introduced in February.
The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) issued a warning on May 17 “urging the public, […]
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