April 14, 2010
ROAD RAGE BILL PASSES
Requires an operator of a motor vehicle to yield the left lane when being overtaken on a multilane highway
measure well-liked by heavy-footed drivers frustrated by the slow drivers blocking the left lane and portrayed as way to ease road rage incidents accelerated Tuesday, advancing through the Senate Judiciary Committee 8-1. Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, was the only “no” vote, although Committee Chairman Joe Negron said he wasn’t a fan, but liked some of the elements in the measure, which is carrying several other road-related issues as well. The bill (SB 482) would require drivers to yield the left lane to faster drivers coming up behind them by moving over to the right out of the way. In noting that he doesn’t really like the road rage bill, Negron reminisced that the bill passed a few years ago but was vetoed by then-Gov. Jeb Bush. “He wasn’t driving his own car then,” responded the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton.
The bill defines the term “road rage.” Requires an operator of a motor vehicle to yield the left lane when being overtaken on a multilane highway. Revises the number of specified acts necessary to qualify as an aggressive careless driver. Authorizes actions for civil damages against motor vehicle dealers, etc. EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/01/2010.
April 6, 2010
Passenger Van Safety
Fifteen- and twelve-passenger vans and other large vans are widely used by churches and community organizations. Colleges use them to drive sports teams to games. Over 500,000 are in use in the United States.
The vans include certain models of the Ford Econoline or E-Series, such as the Ford E350 and Club Wagon E350, the Dodge Ram Wagon B350 and Ram Van/Wagon B3500, the Chevrolet Express 3500 and the GMC Savana 3500 and Rally/Vandura G3500. Ford builds and sells most 15 passenger vans in the U.S. Unfortunately, these vans are involved in many crashes and injuries are very serious.
In these types of accident cases, it has been alleged that the vans have design defects and safety omissions including that the vans are:
1.Difficult to handle and prone to over-steering and loss of control;
2.Unstable when loaded, leading to deadly rollover crashes; and
3.Not crashworthy, resulting in deaths that should otherwise have been easily survivable.
Repeated 15- and 12-Passenger Van Accidents
According to government statistics, over 1,200 fatal crashes have occurred involving the large, heavy vans since 1990. The problem, according to auto safety experts, is the design, the weight and balance of the van. On most models, the car manufacturers have used the same wheel base. But you can see on the 15-passenger model, the back end has been extended. That means when it’s fully loaded, there’s a seat with four passengers behind the rear axle. That tends to make the back end heavy, so that when there’s a sudden swerve, the rear end swings out. The second, critical issue is that the van is top heavy. It has what engineers call a high center of gravity. The more people on board, the more top heavy it becomes, therefore creating an environment for accidents.
If you have been injured in a similiar situation and need to consult with Philip DeBerard, Personal Injury Attorney, please call immediately
March 12, 2010
Tips and Techniques for Driving in Rain
When the road is wet, the film of the water on the asphalt causes tires to lose traction. Less obvious is the fact that rain reduces driver perception — it’s harder to see through the rain — and also decreases visibility through its action on headlights, windshields and the road itself. While most people know to slow down in the rain, there are definitely other tips that will help keep you, and those who share the road with you, from becoming a statistic.
•Exercise extreme caution after a long dry spell. During a dry period, engine oil and grease build up on the road over time. When mixed with water from a new rainfall, the road becomes extremely slick. Continued rainfall will eventually wash away the oil, but the first few hours can be the most dangerous.
•Allow for more travel time. You should plan to drive at a slower pace than normal when the roads are wet. Keep in mind that traffic is likely to be moving slower as well. There’s also the possibility that your preplanned route may be flooded or jammed. Whatever the case, rushing equals higher risk.
•Brake earlier and with less force than you would normally. Not only does this increase the stopping distance between you and the car in front of you, it also lets the driver behind you know that you’re slowing down. Also, be more meticulous about using turn signals, so that other drivers know your intentions, and take turns and curves with less speed than you would in dry conditions.
•Most of America’s roads are crowned in the middle, which means that the water will run off to the sides. If possible, stay toward the middle of the road to avoid deep standing puddles.
•Don’t use cruise control. If you hydroplane, there’s the chance your car could actually accelerate. Cruise control also allows drivers to be less vigilant and to take their foot away from the pedals — not a great idea when reaction time is so important.
Give a truck or bus extra distance. Their extra-large tires can create enough spray to block your vision completely. Avoid passing one, but if you must pass, do it as quickly as safety allows.
March 9, 2010
SLIP AND FALL SLIDES BY COUNCIL
The House Criminal and Civil Justice Policy Council passed the “slip and fall” bill, which would shift the burden of proof in negligence cases away from businesses and more toward the injured person.
The bill, backed by major business groups such as the Florida Chamber of Commerce and National Federation of Independent Business, stems from a 2002 Florida Supreme Court decision, Owens v. Publix, where the court ruled that plaintiffs in slip and fall cases didn’t have to demonstrate that store employees knew their floor was dangerous. Instead, the defendant had to show that he or she had exercised reasonable case in protecting customers.
An amendment, filed by Rep. Adam Fetterman, D-Port St. Lucie, was withdrawn after lawmakers could not agree on language. The amendment would have required that businesses that keep floor cleaning records related to an incident and maintain those records for a certain amount of time. Fetterman and bill sponsor, Rep. Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral, said they would continue to work together on an amendment related to those records.
February 24, 2010
Tire Recall
NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 10T002
Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas, Inc. is recalling certain Nitto Terra Grappler All Terrain, size 305/50R20 120S, Toyo Open Country A/T and Toyo Proxes ST II, size 305/50R20. Some of the subject tires may have been produced with a wrinkle in the upper sidewall area of the tires. Under certain circumstances, this wrinkle may eventually lead to a crack in the sidewall. If a crack develops and is left undetected, the tire may fail, potentially causing a crash, possibly resulting in injury or death. Toyo will notify owners and replace the affected tires free of charge, which includes mounting and balancing. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about February 22, 2010. Owners may contact Nitto customer hotline at 1-888-529-8200 or Toyo customer hotline at 1-800-442-8696.
January 4, 2010
MADD
Victim/Survivor Helpline
Call 1-877-MADD-HELP (877-623-3435) to speak with a Victim Advocate
On average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes. In 2008, an estimated 11,773 people died in drunk driving related crashes—a decline of 9.8 percent from the 13,041 drunk driving related fatalities of 2007.
Download MADDadvocate, a digital magazine on-line http://tinyurl.com/ygupd5x
If you have been involved in an accident caused by a drunk driver.
Call 1-800-299-8878 today.
December 28, 2009
Dog Bite Prevention
4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and one in five dog bites results in injuries that require medical attention. There are ways to make dog bites less likely and to help prevent children from being bitten by dogs.
Who is most at risk?
Children: Among children, the rate of dog bite–related injuries is highest for those ages 5 to 9 years, and children are more likely than adults to receive medical attention for dog bites than adults. Recent research shows that the rate of dog–bite related injuries among children seems to be decreasing.
Adult Males: Among adults, males are more likely than females to be bitten.
People with dogs in their homes: Among children and adults, having a dog in the household is associated with a higher incidence of dog bites. As the number of dogs in the home increases, so does the incidence of dog bites. Adults with two or more dogs in the household are five times more likely to be bitten than those living without dogs at home.
How can dog bites be prevented?
Dog bites are a largely preventable public health problem, and adults and children can learn to reduce their chances of being bitten.
Before you bring a dog into your household:
Consult with a professional (e.g., veterinarian, animal behaviorist, or responsible breeder) to learn what breeds of dogs are the best fit for your household.Dogs with histories of aggression are not suitable for households with children.
Be sensitive to cues that a child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog. If a child seems frightened by dogs, wait before bringing a dog into your household.
Spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it. Use caution when bringing a dog into a household with an infant or toddler.
If you decide to bring a dog into your home:
Spay/neuter your dog (this often reduces aggressive tendencies).
Never leave infants or young children alone with a dog.
Don’t play aggressive games with your dog (e.g., wrestling).
Properly socialize and train any dog entering your household. Teach the dog submissive behaviors (e.g., rolling over to expose the abdomen and giving up food without growling).
Immediately seek professional advice (e.g., from veterinarians, animal behaviorists, or responsible breeders) if the dog develops aggressive or undesirable behaviors.
December 10, 2009
Holiday Road Safety: Stay Safe This Holiday Season
During the upcoming holiday season, and all year, keep safety in mind whenever you’re on the road. Tips from CDC’s Injury Center on motor vehicle safety can help you protect yourself, your passengers, and your family and friends.
Tips from CDC’s Injury Center on motor vehicle safety can help you protect yourself, your passengers, and your family and friends. Whether you’re headed around town, out of town, or out to celebrate, we wish you a safe holiday season.
Protect Your Passengers
Whenever you’re on the road this holiday season, remember to always buckle up. Wearing your seat belt can reduce your risk of dying in a crash by about half. Also, make sure your young passengers are buckled into appropriate safety seats. The safest place for children of any age to ride is properly restrained in the back seat. Data show that child safety seats reduce the risk of death in car crashes by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers ages one to four.
Learn more about child passenger safety and CDC’s research and activities in this area.
Celebrate Safely
During the holiday season, and year-round, take steps to make sure that you and everyone you celebrate with avoids driving under the influence of alcohol. Following these tips can help you stay safe:
•Plan ahead. Always designate a non-drinking driver before any holiday party or celebration begins.
•Take the keys. Don’t let friends drive if they are impaired.
•Be a helpful host. If you’re hosting a party this holiday season, remind your guests to plan ahead and designate their sober driver; offer alcohol-free beverages; and make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver.
Know How Much Parents Matter
This holiday season, and throughout the year, talk with your teen about the dangers of driving—and keep the conversation going. CDC also encourages you to take these steps, which have been proven to reduce serious injury and death:
•Extend your teen’s supervised driving period. Help your teen develop the skills he or she needs by providing as many supervised practice driving hours as possible. Include at least 30 to 50 hours of practice over at least six months. Make sure to practice on a variety of road conditions and at different times of day.
•Set the rules of the road. Practice driving will empower your teen. But your rules will provide much needed limits to keep him or her safe.
Support the rules that most states have for new teen drivers by including the following:
◦Make sure your teen always wears a seat belt.
◦Limit your teen’s nighttime driving.
◦Restrict the number of teen passengers allowed in the car.
December 4, 2009
FILE A SAFETY COMPLAINT ABOUT A VEHICLE NOW ONLINE
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is an office within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). ODI conducts defect investigations and administers safety recalls to support the NHTSA’s mission to improve safety on our Nation’s highways. NHTSA is authorized to order manufacturers to recall and repair vehicles or items of motor vehicle equipment when ODI investigations indicate that they contain serious safety defects in their design, construction, or performance. ODI also monitors the adequacy of manufacturers’ recall campaigns. Before initiating an investigation, ODI carefully reviews the body of consumer complaints and other available data to determine whether a defect trend may exist.
The Link to File a Complaint: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/index.cfm
Safety Recalls: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/
Defect Investigations: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/defects/
Safe Driving Information: http://www.safercar.gov/driving.htm
