North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Blog

Driving under the influence is never a good idea for any driver in any age group. But recent data shows that on average 6,000 people are killed nationwide each year by a teen driving while intoxicated. The combination of all illegal drug usage-related deaths doesn't even account for that many fatalities each year in the United States. Did you ever think it was possible that underage alcohol-related car accidents in Charlotte and elsewhere would take the lives of so many people annually when teens aren't even of age to legally drink yet?

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has teamed up with the National Football League in an effort to encourage teens not to engage in drinking and not riding in a vehicle where the driver has been drinking.

Charlotte drunk driving accident attorneys understand there seems to be a connection between drinking alcohol and football. Some people think that America's favorite pastime just wouldn't be the same if there were no tailgate parties, or if fans didn't have a beer in their hands to cheer on their favorite team. Unfortunately, attending a football game usually leads to a higher risk of a drunk-driving accident occurring after the contest is over, putting other motorists in jeopardy of serious injury or death.

Teens throughout the United States are encouraged to take the pledge to make good decisions and resist riding with someone driving under the influence by signing up on MADD's Power of Youth Facebook page. By taking the pledge, you will automatically be entered to win officially licensed NFL prizes like hats, T-shirts or other fan-favorite clothing. Make the power of peer pressure turn positive by urging friends to sign up. Recruitment of friends to sign up for the pledge increases your chances to win.

If you are between the ages of 13 and 20, visit MADD's Facebook page so that you can pledge to stay safe the rest of this season and well into the New Year. The NFL and MADD want to give you and your friends "MADD props" for choosing to stay safe and sober in the days and weeks to come.

Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) offers these alarming facts to consider:

-30 percent of underage drinkers admit to paying for their own alcohol. Almost 10 percent purchase it themselves compared to 22 percent who gave money to someone else who bought it for them.

-50 percent of teens admit to consuming alcohol at someone else's house while 30 percent confess their last drink was at home.

-26 percent of people between the ages of 12 to 20 years-old admit to drinking alcohol in the last 30 days.

Don't end the season on a sour note. Make a commitment to stay safe by not hopping in the car with someone who has been drinking or getting behind the wheel after you have had a drink. Score one for the good guys; it could just save a life.

Continue reading "Teenagers Can Win NFL Gear by Taking Pledge to Drive Alcohol-Free in Charlotte, Elsewhere" »

It is no secret that teen drivers are often the most at risk of being involved in a car accident in Gastonia, Charlotte or elsewhere. Teen car accidents can be particularly tragic around the holidays.

Winston-Salem car accident attorneys cringe when they see a report of an accident involving a teen driver with little ones in the car. Not only can young drivers lose their focus and become distracted, but sometimes they are not mature enough to know how to tend to a child's needs or behaviors.

The Salisbury Post recently reported of a fatal teen car crash that killed a teen passenger riding in the front seat. Three children under 6-years-old riding in the back managed to survive. There were no witnesses to the accident, but the 17-year-old female driver is presumed to have veered off the right side of the road after coming around a bend. She ended up overturning the Chevy Blazer straight into a utility pole.

The teen passenger riding in the front seat was thrown approximately 100 feet and died despite three people working together to administer CPR until help arrived. The three children along with the teen driver were tended to by area residents until emergency responders arrived at the scene. They were taken to Carolinas Medical Center-Northeast but their injuries were not considered life-threatening. The accident is under investigation, but local residents said they heard music blaring from the SUV after the accident. Additionally, speed has been a common factor in several previous accidents in the same vicinity.

Nowadays, parents have so many concerns when it comes to keeping teen drivers safe on roadways. Cell phones and other youth passengers riding in the vehicle are common causes of distraction related to an accident. Young drivers tend to speed because they don't think anything will come of this unsafe behavior. Teens seem to have easy access to alcohol, which can put them at considerable risk of a fatal accident if they choose to drive under the influence.

Fayobserver.com reports that a third of American teens drink alcohol and almost 20 percent of teens binge drink. Teens are able to walk into a convenience store, purchase a potent malt liquor and not be be asked for age identification. Law enforcement officials expect that as holiday parties begin to increase in the next few weeks, so will underage drinking and the number of teen driver arrests. The period between Thanksgiving and New Year's is dangerous for all drivers because alcohol intake increases due to celebrations or more time off from work or school.

If you have a young and inexperienced driver in your family, parents or guardians are encouraged to talk to them about safe driving during the holidays. Reiterate the importance of driving distraction-free. Make a point to discuss the dangers of driving under the influence and the consequences they can face if they are caught for underage drinking or become involved in an accident.

Continue reading "North Carolina Teen Drivers Urged to Drive Safely During the Holidays to Avoid a Car Accident in Gastonia, Elsewhere" »

A little more than a year ago, a female teenage driver was killed in an Asheville distracted-driving accident because she was texting while driving. Her father now speaks out to teens about the dangers of texting and driving, and is one of the featured clips in the updated "Faces of Distracted Driving" series being promoted by the government.

Our Charlotte accident lawyers applaud the campaign's intent of getting the message out about the dangers of distracted driving and the consequences that come with this driving habit. Viewing personal and tragic stories like those in Faces of Distracted Driving pull on the heart strings, and may just the thing to make drivers think twice about risking an accident because of driver inattention.

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently released a new public service announcement (PSA) which is updating new faces and stories to the "Faces of Distracted Driving" series. The campaign has been viewed online more than 100,000 times since it began in November 2010. The PSA is a 30-second clip called "Get the Message," which features loved ones who have lost someone from a distracted-driving accident somewhere in the U.S.

Some of the featured tragic stories that can be found at Faces of Distracted Driving include:

-A 19-year-old was struck and killed on his bicycle by a distracted truck driver traveling at 60 mph.

-A 21-year-old male was riding with a co-worker who became distracted and failed to yield at a stop sign. The male passenger was killed within 24 hours of a tractor-trailer hitting the vehicle that failed to yield in the middle of oncoming traffic.

-A 21-year-old female pedestrian was killed by a distracted driver while she was crossing the street.

-A 17-year-old high school student was riding to school in her pickup truck when she crashed on a rural roadway because she was texting.

-Two teen drivers crashed in the middle of an intersection when one of the drivers was distracted by her cell phone while running a red light at 50 mph. The teen victim in the other vehicle died within 24 hours of the crash.

-A 58 year-old hiker was struck from behind and killed instantly by a vehicle traveling at 70 mph. The driver was texting at the time of the accident.

Unfortunately, these and many other tragic stories occur each and every day on roadways throughout the United States. If you have or someone you know has a story to tell or a message to voice, the U.S. Department of Transportation encourages families to post a message or video on YouTube and email the link to faces@distraction.gov.

No one wants to mourn the loss of someone killed in a distracted-driving accident in North Carolina or elsewhere. Make a commitment to drive distraction-free.

Continue reading "Personal Stories of Distracted Driving in Asheville Car Accident and Elsewhere Revealed in PSA Message" »

A fatal teen car accident in Greenville is a reminder that teenagers should have plenty of supervised driving experience before they take on slick rural roadways at night with another teen in the vehicle. As these conditions can be difficult for most drivers, we urge you to do whatever you can to ensure your teen is as prepared as possible to handle these types of situations.

WYFF-4 reports two teens were seriously injured in an SUV accident after colliding into a house. Five days later, the young passenger in the vehicle was pronounced dead at the hospital. The tragedy could have been magnified considering the crash occurred near a college campus community where students often roam at late-night hours.

Authorities investigating the accident say wet roads could have been a factor. Our North Carolina car accident lawyers know that it was probably a combination of factors, which may have included dark and winding roads, driver distraction, or traveling too fast on an unfamiliar road at night.

The recent accident is the second in less than a month at this particular dangerous location. The house, owned by North Greenville University, was vacant but officials say they are looking for some sort of safety measures to help prevent collisions at the sharp curve where motorists are losing control of their vehicle as they make the turn.

Adding a guard rail as a minimum could help keep the campus community safer. Other safety measures that could be issued by the South Carolina Department of Transportation are a traffic light, crosswalk or warning sign.

Another school-related accident turned tragic when a teenager was walking to his school bus stop and was hit by a 20-year-old driver in a Jeep. WSOC-TV reports the teen pedestrian was hit before daylight while walking alongside the road. The victim's mother had recently made a request with the school district to move the bus stop closer to their residence as the boy walked nearly a quarter of a mile to catch the bus each day. School officials denied the request after inspecting the location and determining there were no visual impairments near the pick up location and their home could be clearly seen from the bus stop. Safety didn't appear to be an issue.

Motorists are reminded of the following tips when driving in school zones or campus communities:

-Use caution throughout the day, not just in morning and afternoon commutes.

-During inclement weather, try to avoid highly populated pedestrian traffic areas. Wet roads make it difficult to stop or see.

-If you find yourself driving on unfamiliar rural roadways at night, reduce your speed and look for warning signs to alert you of dangerous curves or bends in the road.

Accidents like these reinforce the importance of driver knowledge and experience. We encourage parents to continue to talk to their kids about safe driving, and take an occasional ride with them to make sure they are practicing safe behaviors behind the wheel.

Continue reading "Teens Driving on Wet Roads at Night are at High Risk for Car Accidents in North Carolina, South Carolina" »

A recent study by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety indicated that the most critical time for a teen driver is the time right after they begin driving unsupervised in a vehicle. As part of National Teen Drivers Safety Week, which runs through today, our Statesville car accident lawyers want to remind parents to stay involved with your teen's driving, especially the first few months after obtaining a license.

WFIR reports that a AAA Foundation study revealed the odds are pretty good that a teen will get in an accident during the first month of him or her getting a driver's license. North Carolina teens are most at risk of a car accident in Asheville, Greensboro or elsewhere in the state when they make three common errors while driving: inattention, failure to slow down and failure to yield. These errors account for 57 percent of all accidents involving a teen within the first month of passing the driver's test. Certain types of crashes were found to minimize as driving experience was gained.

Forbes reports of a second study released by AAA Foundation recently that examined novice drivers of 38 North Carolina families. A camera was installed in the vehicle driven by the teen from the time that supervised driving was mandatory clear through six months after obtaining a full license. After examining almost 6,000 video clips, researchers determined young drivers' behaviors were a lot more lax while driving alone than when driving with adult supervision. Close calls often occurred from judgment errors due to inexperience and failure to detect changes in the traffic environment.

Parental involvement in teenagers learning to drive is vital to keeping them safe. Many schools have stopped offering driver education classes for due to budgetary constraints. That makes it even more important for parents to find an organization or school that will give them the experience and knowledge necessary to make good decisions while driving, especially during the first year of unsupervised driving.

Shopautoweek.com offers these tips to parents when picking a driving school for teens:

-Make sure the school is accredited.

-Pick a class that has a 10-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio for optimal training. There should be no more than 24 students in the class.

-Class should entail on-road driving experience with the instructor.

-Check to see if the school is affiliated with any professional associations like Driving School Association of America, American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association.

Driving schools that emphasize parental involvement hope that a parent will spend extra time with their teen to help him or her develop skills that will keep them safe while operating a vehicle. Knowledge is one thing, but gaining experience helps in learning how to avoid dangerous situations all together. Spending time riding with your teen, even after they obtain their license could help them beat the odds of being involved in an accident that so many teens face early on in their solo driving career.

Continue reading "First-Year Driving Critical for Teens Involved in Statesville Car Accidents" »

A fatal teen car crash near Lillington earlier this month has our Winston-Salem car accident lawyers wondering if there is ever a time that parents should allow their teens to drive late at night or with other teen passengers accompanying them in the vehicle.

WTVD reports that four teenage classmates between the ages of 15 to 17 were riding in a vehicle on Old Highway 421 when the young driver lost control of the vehicle, flipped the car and caused the vehicle to crash. A 17-year-old passenger is dead and her 16-year-old friend who was driving will be charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. The two other teens passengers were taken to WakeMed but are expected to survive the accident. Troopers report speeding was a contributing factor in the crash but that the accident was not alcohol-related.

This incident, along with many other teen car accidents in Charlotte and elsewhere in North Carolina are why strong graduated licensing programs are needed.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, teens in North Carolina can apply for a learners license at the age of 15. During the intermediate stage, teens are not permitted to drive alone between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. and are limited to one passenger under the age of 21 riding in the vehicle with them. Nighttime and passenger restrictions could be lifted as early as age 16 years and 6 months under certain conditions.

An article in U.S. News & World Report states that a recent study shows 16-year-olds are less likely to be involved in a fatal crash than 18-year-olds in states with strict GDL laws. In fact, states with the strictest GDL laws showed a 26 percent decrease in fatal crashes involving a 16-year-old, but a 12 percent increase in fatal crashes involving 18-year-olds.

The study looked at over 130,000 fatal teen crashes which occurred between 1986 and 2007. The study found that the crash rate for 16-year-olds was 28.2 per 100,000 compared to 46.2 per 100,000 18-year-olds.

GDL laws vary from state to state but most have a 3-phase learning to drive program in place. The beginner stage allows teens to drive with supervision. The intermediate stage restricts high-risk situations like night driving while unsupervised. The final stage allows for full and unrestricted privileges for young drivers, which in North Carolina, could be obtained before age 18.

The study has caused some speculation as to why 18 year-olds are involved in more fatal crashes. One theory is that with strict GDL programs placing age restrictions on novice drivers, more teens are waiting to get their license. By waiting to apply for a learner's permit at age 18, teens can avoid some of the age-specific restrictions placed on them while learning to drive.

One lesson that can be learned from the study and recent fatal teen crash is that parents and role models should continue to make safe driving behaviors a hot topic of discussion with young drivers, even well into their college years. Gaining driving experience is important to become a safe driver but open lines of communications are just as equally important to keep you and your teen safe on roadways.

Continue reading "Fatal North Carolina Teen Car Accident a Lesson to Talk to Your Teen about Safe Driving Beyond Obtaining a License, Throughout High School" »

Our Statesville car accident attorneys know that teen drivers get a bad reputation because they often get distracted behind the wheel or don't have the experienced decision making skills that most adult drivers have.

In fact, Automotive Discovery reports that when respondents in a nationwide survey were asked if teens were good drivers, the vast majority rated them as poor or average drivers. Poor or average drivers, no matter what their age, can often find themselves involved in car accidents in Winston-Salem, Asheville, and elsewhere in North Carolina.

Allstate Insurance released results from a recent poll indicating that 80 percent of drivers surveyed stated they felt teen drivers were risky behind the wheel. The poll also indicated that 60 percent of respondents were in support of stiffening graduated driver licensing programs statewide.

The nationwide poll was used as a measure for public reaction to the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act (STANDUP), which awaits a decision by Congress to tighten up teen driver licensing laws and place more restrictions on young drivers. We posted about the STANDUP Act last month on our North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Blog, when we indicated that it was a provision of Mariah's Law -- named after a teen driver killed in Arkansas.

If passed, teens would be restricted on unsupervised nighttime hours driven, passengers in the vehicle, and using cell phones behind the wheel. In addition, age requirements would change from state to state on when a learner's permit can be obtained and when each phase of the learning-to-drive process can take place.

According to the survey, 76 percent of those polled are in favor of changing the minimum age to receive a learner's permit to age 16. Additionally, 69 percent support having a three-stage licensure process to be completed before a driving test can be taken to obtain a full license. Of those surveyed, more than 8 out of ten supported banning cell phones or texting while driving and 70 percent favored limiting teens of nighttime driving hours, especially if unsupervised by another adult driver. As you can imagine, more than 60 percent were in favor of not allowing non-family passengers in the car with drivers under age 18.

Bill Vainisi, deputy general counsel and senior vice president of Allstate commented that respondents' attitudes clearly indicate that GDL programs can help save lives based on the results of the survey.

Moreover, it is clear that Americans think extending the process for a young driver just learning to drive can help introduce teen drivers to safe driving behavior and gain more experience behind the wheel before they graduate to driving alone without the supervision of an adult.

"What's needed now is national leadership in the form of uniform standards for those GDL laws," says Vainisi.

Continue reading "Survey Says: Teen Drivers' Risky Behavior Creates Tendency for Involvement in Car Accidents in Winston-Salem" »

Organizations all over the country continue to be proactive about creating awareness regarding the dangers teens face when they first become legal to drive. Safe driving initiatives, programs and laws will hopefully sink in to the minds of young drivers at some point and start to make a positive impact on reducing teen car accidents in Asheville and other cities throughout the country.

We posted previously on our North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Blog about The Ford Driving Skills for Life program offered to teens in Raleigh/Durham, which focused on teaching teens about critical skills that they often lack. Teaching teens about space and speed management, hazard recognition and how to handle a vehicle in critical situations through hands-on events and interactive programs is vital in giving teens the knowledge and experience to become better drivers.

Statesville car accident lawyers know getting school systems involved plays just as an important role in teen safety as reaching out to teens directly. School involvement can help mold teens in a peer setting and puts pressure on teens to make good decisions.

News Blaze reports that State Farm and National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) are offering $2,000 grants to high schools throughout the country as part of Project Ignition, a program that teaches teen safety through a method called service-learning.

"The National Youth Leadership Council is proud to partner with State Farm to continue to provide this opportunity for students to use their own ideas and voices to make a tremendous impact on this issue," said Kelita Svoboda Bak, NYLC CEO.

For eight years running, Project Ignition has been getting students and their mentors at school to come up with new ideas, and to campaign and host teen driver safety events. Students can obtain academic credit for their creativeness, initiative and time spent advocating for young driver safety.

The NYLC promotes service-learning because it is a unique way to teach and learn and get teens involved at school and within their community. The following is an example of service-learning:

-Students discover that a cell phone caused a teen driver to get distracted and cause an accident. The students then delve into the many possibilities of why a cell phone can be distracting. Once discussed with the members of the group, the students share their ideas and offer suggestions to other peers and community members that can reduce the temptation or willingness to use a cell phone while driving. Reflecting and creating awareness in an open forum can trickle down and cause others to consider the dangers of driving with a cell phone in their hand and hence curb the dangerous behavior.

2011-2012 Project Ignitions Grants are available to public high schools in North Carolina and throughout the country. A total of 25 schools will be hand-picked to instrument their campaigns during the months of January through April and will receive a $2,000 grant to put towards the campaign. Ten schools will be selected from the Top 25 and awarded an additional $5,000 to participate in a national event or conference. If one of the Top 10 schools opts to campaign during the following school year they could be eligible to receive another $2,500 grant for their participation.

For more information or to download an application, visit Project Ignition online or call 1-888-856-7026. Applications will be accepted until November 15, 2011.

Continue reading "Teen Safety Highlighted by Project Ignition: Aim is to Reduce Teen Car Accidents in Asheville, elsewhere " »

Teen drivers and other motorists are encouraged to start using more caution on roadways now that school is about to resume for another year. The fall season can present more risks for car accidents in Gastonia, Charlotte and elsewhere in the state due to the fact that motorists have to start sharing the roadways with school buses, child pedestrians, or school age bicyclists.

As part of a four-part series about "Back to School Safety" we will be offering many tips that can be communicated to everyone in your family in order to keep children safe as they head back to school for another year. Topics in the series will include: safe teen/motorists driver tips, walking and biking to school safety, how to avoid playground and other school-related injuries, followed by a series finale on the safe routes to school program in North Carolina.

As we begin our series with teen safety and driving tips for all motorists, Charlotte car accident attorneys know that now is as good of time as any to start getting in the routine of allowing extra time for the morning commute or training yourself to be more alert as you head to work or school each morning.

Motorists who are drowsy or distracted in the morning are at high risk of causing an accident this time of year. The National Safety Council and leading provider of school bus transportation, First Student, have teamed up to offer teens and motorists safety reminders to keep in mind as the school year begins.

"Research has shown distracted drivers 'look at' but fail to 'see' up to 50% of the driving environment, which can include student pedestrians and bicyclists," said NSC President and CEO Janet Froetscher. "The back-to-school season is a good reminder to be responsible drivers as we all share the roads."

Since teens are the age group most in danger of being involved in car accidents, especially those caused by distractions, the Council recommends that parents develop their own personal graduated driver license program for a young driver in your household. The more experience and knowledge that a teen can gain, the better off the teen will be in the long run as strong GDL programs can reduce deaths by as much as 40 percent, according to recent studies. There are six general principles to include in a family program. These include:

-Apply a zero tolerance law for your teen driver with regard to driving under the influence. No exceptions or excuses are permitted.

-Teens who wear seat belts can reduce injuries in a crash by 50 percent so create mandatory seat belt rule.

-Ban the use of cell phones by setting a good example and following the same rule every time you get behind the wheel.

-Limit passengers riding in the car with your teen until they have a year of experience under their belt.

-Limit nighttime driving by establishing a timeline guide. For example, no driving permitted after 10 p.m.

-If a teen experiences difficulty in making decisions in poor weather conditions or at night, they may not be ready to take the test for full licensing. Extend the learning period and supervise them in difficult driving situations so that they can gain confidence.

No motorist should be above being reminded of a few simple tips to remember as more buses, bicycles and pedestrians hit the streets in the next few weeks. Never pass an idle school bus that is loading or unloading children. Instead, look for flashing red lights and a motorized stop sign arm to indicate the bus is making a stop. Always allow plenty of space around the bus to ensure a child's safety. Motorists that approach a crosswalk or intersection should always yield to pedestrians and obey the directives of a crossing guard or patrol officer. Honking your horn or revving your engine when you have the right-of-way serves no purpose except to scare the pedestrian or bicyclist. Be patient and wait for them to clear safely in front of you before you proceed. Always pass a bicyclist on the same side of the road slowly in case they make a quick decision and move left into traffic.

Motorists should expect to see children biking or walking in school zones or neighborhoods so use extra caution in order to avoid an accident throughout the school year.

Continue reading "Safety Series Promotes Safe Driving for Motorists, Reduces Child Injuries in Back to School Accidents in North Carolina" »

A recent fatal teen car crash in Fayetteville, which injured four passengers and killed two others, has resulted in the young female driver being charged with two counts of felony death by motor vehicle and two counts of felony assault by motor vehicle.

WTVD ABC News reports the teen driver had previously been charged with driving without a license, reckless driving, speeding and driving under the influence. These behaviors are common among young drivers and often lead to fatal consequences following a teen car accident in Statesville, Greensboro or Winston-Salem. The 17-year-old driver had six teen passengers (ranging in ages 14-19) in the car with her at the time of the accident.

This incident, along with many others is why New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has been working so diligently to get the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act to be considered by the Senate Commerce Committee. Her advocacy has finally paid off reports WAMC, stating that her teen driver proposal has made it through one more step in Congress on its way to becoming law.

Asheville car accident lawyers know that creating a uniform standard for strengthened Graduated Driver's License (GDL) programs nationwide could give young drivers more experience, as well as, limit the number of passengers permitted to ride with them which in effect should reduce teen car accidents in North Carolina and throughout the country.

Saferoads4teens.org explains that collectively, all states would offer a strengthened GDL program which includes the following key points of the STANDUP Act:

• Offer three phases of obtaining a license - learner's permit, intermediate and full license.
• Teens would not be permitted to start learner's permit procedure before age 16. A full license with no restrictions would not be obtained before age 18.
• Only at the full licensure stage would unsupervised night time driving be allowed.
• Use of mobile devices in any capacity would be forbidden until a full license is obtained.
• Teen drivers would be restricted to driving with another teen companion until a full license is obtained at age 18.
• States would have up to three years to comply with the standard GDL requirements. A state failing to comply would forfeit a percentage of federal funds provided to improve highway safety each year.

If the STANDUP Act is passed, North Carolina would need to change the minimum age requirement to obtain a learner's permit to age 16. Currently, teens can start the process at age 15. Teens are also currently permitted to obtain a full license at 16 years and 6 months which would need to be extended to age 18 under the proposed bill.

Any restrictions placed on teen drivers would need to be extended until they turn 18. For example, North Carolina teens are currently permitted to drive alone at night when they reach the intermediate stage which is age 16.

More research is needed, but studies have shown that teen drivers who gain a lot of experience driving in stages can improve their safety. Gaining knowledge and experience in how to handle dangerous driving situations should be learned a little at a time but can make a difference in keeping young driver accidents to a minimum.

Continue reading "Fatal Teen Car Accident in North Carolina a Reminder to Limit Number of Teen Passengers Riding with an Inexperienced Driver" »

The introduction of Mariah's Law has safety advocates and Greensboro car accident attorneys among others, applauding the efforts of Democratic leaders of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

EIN News recently reported that new legislation that could improve state traffic laws, consumer information and safety of vehicles in order to reduce the number of car accidents in North Carolina and throughout the country.

The proposed Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety Improvement Act of 2011 (MVHSIA) , or Mariah's Law, is named after a teen killed in an Arkansas car accident caused by texting while driving. The law proposes to address:

• Restructure safety defect and consumer information


• Improve child passenger safety.


• Concentrate on distracted and impaired driving reforms.


• Enhance standards in terms of motor vehicle safety.


• Review and improve teen driver licensing programs.

"Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for all Americans ages 5 to 34. And the annual highway death toll costs our nation over $230 billion a year," said Jacqueline Gillan, vice president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. "Too many people are needlessly dying because states have been slow to enact laws to protect teen drivers, keep drunk drivers off our roads and ban the dangerous and deadly practice of texting while driving."

We posted previously on our North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Blog about two proposed bills, the Safe Drivers Act of 2011 and Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection (STANDUP) Act that would federally mandate and bring consistency throughout the U.S. to eliminate texting while driving and create graduated drivers licensing programs that are uniform from state to state.

The STANDUP Act is a provision of MVHSIA in which $22 million of federal grant money would be poured into a state adoption of laws aimed at limiting teen passengers in the car with teen drivers, limiting teens driving at night, and banning cell phone use. In order to receive grant funding, states would need to adopt laws that restrict these areas of teen-related driving issues. States that identify safety issues and impose stricter laws will benefit by receiving grant funds.

"These measures will provide states with effective guidelines to help ensure drivers' safety and prevent risky behavior - especially among teen drivers. I will continue to fight to strengthen protection for drivers and make our roads safer for everyone," said Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.

MVHSIA would also direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to create a standard that will protect consumers from unreliable electronic systems that control safety mechanisms installed in a vehicle. By giving consumers more easy access to safety-related data, defects and recalls, it is hopeful that the government can then instill more confidence in the vehicle safety programs and investigations it performs.

"This bill is about saving lives," said Senator Mark Pryor, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance. "We've strengthened programs designed to stop dangerous driving behavior, and we've stepped up vehicle safety so that families are protected by strong safety standards and devices when an accident does occur."

Continue reading "Proposed Legislation Aimed at Protecting Teens and Adult Drivers, Reducing Risks of Car Accidents in Greensboro, Charlotte, Nationwide" »

The National Transportation Safety Board has put out a "Most Wanted List of Safety Improvements" regarding driving hazards that citizens in North Carolina and elsewhere can improve upon.

The third topic of our series is teen driver safety and what can be done to reduce the number of < a href="http://www.leelawoffices.org/">teen car accidents in North Carolina and throughout the country. Other topics deserving attention in the series are motorcycle safety, drunk driving accidents, and bus safety.

Parents can only hope that their teens make safe and responsible decisions every time they get behind the wheel to drive. Our Gastonia personal injury lawyers know this isn't always the case as in many instances teen drivers lack the experience and the presence of mind to avoid a car accident.

WSOC recently reported about the fatal crash in Charlotte involving a teen driver who went off the side of the road, hit a pole and killed the owner of the vehicle he was driving in. No one knows why the two were riding in the car together or why the teen borrowed the car in the first place. The teen was arrested and charged with DWI, hit-and-run and death by motor vehicle. The young driver not only allegedly made a poor decision to drive under the influence but also tried to run away following the crash.

Obtaining a driver's license is a privilege for most teens, but with that freedom comes a high risk of injury for the young driver, other motorists and passengers riding in the car with the young driver. Recent statistics show that eight teens are fatally injured in car crashes every day, making car accidents the leading cause of death for that age group.

Teens are more likely to die in a car crash than to die from the use of drugs, cancer or violence. In the last decade, teen drivers have made up less than 7 percent of the driving population but account for over 13 percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes.

Teen car crashes are often considered preventable because they often occur when a teen is distracted, speeding or driving under the influence. Over 58,000 young drivers were killed in car accidents from 2000-2009, all between the ages of 15-20 years old.

Many states have adopted a graduated driver licensing (GDL) program which has been an effective way of teaching young drivers the dangers of driving, as well as, allowing them to gain experience at a gradual level. The Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act is a bill that will soon be introduced to the U.S House of Representatives that would mandate all states to have a GDL program in place and would require consistency with minimum federal requirements to be met.

The advantage to a GDL program is that it starts teens at a novice level, allowing them to drive in low-risk situations and gradually builds on the driving experiences and responsibilities of certain situations as the young driver matures. A recent study by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that strong state GDL programs lower the rate of teen car accidents by roughly 40 percent.

Parents and teens in the early stages of the beginning to drive process are encouraged to visit Keys2Drive, an online guide to teen driver safety.

Continue reading "Most Wanted List Emphasizes Teen Driver Safety in Order to Reduce Car Accidents in North Carolina, Nationwide" »

With millions of cell phone subscribers throughout the United States getting behind the wheel to drive each day, it is no doubt becoming a problem of epic proportions to contain the number of car accidents in North Carolina, South Carolina and throughout the country that are caused by distractions.

State lawmakers are placing a ban on texting in some states but many states still allow handheld or hands-free devices to be used while driving. Cognitive distractions, like texting or talking, can lead to dangerous situations for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other motorists who are often severely injured or killed in distracted driving accidents.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has been experimenting with pilot projects in Syracuse, NY and Hartford, CT in an effort to curb texting while driving. The results have been positive but our Asheville car accident attorneys are wondering whether it's the enforcement of laws or the public awareness that is doing the trick.

According to Your News Now, there are three key ingredients that have led to the success of the Phone in One Hand, Ticket in the Other Campaign in Syracuse and Hartford. Tougher laws, stricter enforcement and city-wide public awareness have made the distracted driving program successful, similar to how drunk driving and seat belt campaigns have shown success in the past.

Each city received $200,000 in federal funds and an additional $100,000 from the state to put into increased police enforcement, press releases to engage the news media and paid advertising. Over the past year, police enforcement was enhanced over four periods which led to over 9,500 citations for drivers using a cell phone in Syracuse and 9,658 tickets issued to Hartford distracted drivers using a cell phone illegally. Driving behavior also changed noticeably in each city. Syracuse detected cell phone use by drivers decreased by 32 percent, while Hartford reported a 57 percent decrease in handheld cell phone use, as well as, 72 percent less texting occurring while behind the wheel during the four phases of the project.

"These findings show that strong laws, combined with highly-visible police enforcement, can significantly reduce dangerous texting and cell phone use behind the wheel," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Based on these results, it is crystal clear that those who try to minimize this dangerous behavior are making a serious error in judgment, especially when half a million people are injured and thousands more are killed in distracted driving accidents."

The Governors Highway Safety Association is encouraged by the positive results but knows that more research needs to be done before states like North Carolina and South Carolina will fully implement a ban on all cell phones for all drivers. South Carolina currently doesn't place any restrictions on drivers when it comes to cell phone use and allows all drivers to use cell phones of any kind while driving. North Carolina only bans novice drivers and school bus drivers from talking on handheld devices while driving. Texting is not permitted by anyone behind the wheel in North Carolina.

More and more evidence is showing that distractions are dangerous while you drive. It is expected that these pilot programs will become statewide so motorists are reminded to eliminate as many distractions while driving as possible in order to maintain safety for you and other motorists or pedestrians sharing the same roadways.

Continue reading "Statewide Distracted Driving Programs Could Reduce Car Accidents in Asheville, Elsewhere in North Carolina" »

As part of National Safety Month, June 12-18 is drawing attention to teen driving safety and the dangers inexperienced drivers face on roadways.

Our Charlotte car accident attorneys know that teens in North Carolina and throughout the country are in the midst of the 100 deadliest days of the year for young drivers and hope they use extra caution during the summer months to avoid a car accident in Greensboro and elsewhere.

A recent tragedy in York County is just another reason we should promote safe driving for young people this time of the year. WISTV reports on a fatal accident involving a teen who had graduated from high school a few days earlier. The teen was driving on SC Highway 160 early in the morning when he spotted a cyclist in his path The teen driver swerved to avoid the bicyclist, ran off the right side of the road and hit a pole and a tree before his vehicle rolled over. The teen driver died at the scene, while the cyclist remained unharmed.

The 100 deadliest days, as we posted on our North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Blog, is the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day. In 2009, nine out of the 10 deadliest days for young drivers were between May and August.

The National Safety Council understands the importance of this matter and has dedicated the third week of June to promote safe teen driving. There are more than 15 crashes daily involving a driver between the ages of 15 and 20. Two out of three people who die in teen-related crashes are not the teen driver, but someone else involved in the accident.

Throughout the week, backers like First America and Toyota will sponsor webinars and free online programs to support parents and teens during the early stages of driving.

The Alive at 25 Parent Program is an online interactive course that explains the risks involved and reiterates basic driving skills and the ability to make good decisions while driving.

The second edition of Teen Driver: A Family Guide to Teen Driver Safety is also a helpful tool for parents and teens. This guide takes you through the stages of getting a license and gaining driver experience. It also identifies the risks of making bad choices, like not wearing a seat belt or driving under the influence. The guide offers a driving skills checklist that can be used each time you go out on a supervised driving session with your teen. The checklist can be rated by satisfactory or needs improvement and includes the following items to name a few:

-Driving at night or during the day.

-Distractions occurring inside and outside the vehicle.

-Merging into traffic.

-Passing other vehicles.

-Sharing the road with trucks, motorcycles, other cars and bicyclists.

-Speed used on turns or curves, during poor weather conditions, or congested roadways.

All motorists are at a high risk of car accidents during the summer months, but teen drivers are especially at risk as they spend more time on the road this time of year. Be a safe driver to reduce the risk of a serious or fatal accident in North Carolina this summer.

Continue reading "Teens at High Risk of Greensboro Car Accidents in Summer" »

Young drivers are at such a high risk for being involved in a car accident in Charlotte and elsewhere that we continue to make it a focus point on our North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Blog. We recently posted that May is Teen Safety Awareness Month and that Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) in North Carolina are making tremendous efforts to bring awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, speeding and drunk driving to teens throughout the state.

Our North Carolina car accident lawyers applaud teens who pressure other teens to be safer drivers because peer pressure is a strong force among this age group and can be incorporated positively if gone about the right way. Car accidents are the leading cause of death among teens so a valiant effort must be made if we want to minimize the public health threat that it has become.

Fox Charlotte recently reported about the fatal accident killing a teen driver from North Mecklenburg High School. The young driver was trying to make a left turn onto Browne Road when she was struck by a truck in the intersection. The student was pronounced dead at Carolinas Medical Center from severe injuries sustained during the accident.

The two passengers riding with the teen driver killed in the accident were admitted to the hospital for medical attention, according to the Charlotte Observer. Both passengers suffered serious injuries but are expected to live. The driver of the truck was treated and released for minor injuries at Presbyterian-Huntersville Hospital shortly after the accident.

If your teen is involved in an accident, consider seeking the professional help of a car accident law firm in North Carolina immediately. Reuters recently reported that North Carolina is ranked among the top ten states in annual medical costs and work loss expenses related to motor vehicle crash fatalities. Children, teens and young adults are at the highest risk -- car crashes are the leading cause of death for people ages 5 to 34. It is estimated that motor vehicle deaths cost approximately $41 billion a year in medical and lost wage expenses. North Carolina was ranked 6th highest for medical and work loss expenses at $1.5 billion, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Continue reading "Teen car accidents medically expensive in North Carolina and often require an experienced law firm" »