Slamming the Brakes on Distracted Driving

The research on distracted driving is clear: using a cell phone while driving is both common and dangerous. Legislators across the nation are responding to the overwhelming evidence of the dangers of distracted driving by enacting laws restricting cellphone use while driving.

Virginia’s ban on texting went into effect on July 1. The law calls for a $20 fine for the first offense and $50 for a second offense. Washington DC was a leader in the effort to cut down on cellphone restrictions. The District banned cellphone use behind the wheel in 2004.

A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety concluded that the District’s ban and vigorous enforcement of the law have resulted in fewer people using cellphones while behind the wheel. Research shows 43 percent more drivers would be using cellphones if the law and its enforcement weren’t in place.

President Obama recently added to the area’s road safety measures by banning federal employees from texting when driving a government vehicle. They’re also not allowed to text from their own vehicles if they’re using a government-issued phone or are on government business.

Safety experts believe cellphones significantly add to distracted driving, which results in more than 600,000 crashes annually, 2,600 deaths and more than 300,000 personal injuries. The financial toll across the nation is well over $40 billion per year.

Currently, the attempts to combat texting while driving vary from one state to the next; some states have not yet addressed the topic, while other states have banned the practice entirely. However, this scattered approach may not last long. Legislation pending in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives would encourage all states to adopt laws banning texting while driving, resulting in greater consistency across the country.

Article provided by Locklin & Mordhorst Visit us at http://www.locklinlaw.com

—Press release service and press release distribution provided by http://www.24-7pressrelease.com Source: Slamming the Brakes on Distracted Driving November 22, 2009

Eating while driving causes 80% of all car accidents, study shows

Source: www.nydailynews.com
Wait till you get home to eat that drive-thru. A new study shows a staggering 80% of all car accidents and 65% of near misses are caused by distracted drivers more focused on their burgers than the road.
The full article:
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/07/19/2009-07-19_eatdrive_sure_recipe_for_a_crash.html

Seems high to me unless dropping food on your lap is considered an accident. I'm all for focusing on driving though. I love the comment about removing cup holders along with ashtrays.

Driving while using a cellphone is dangerous enough . . .

. . . check the widget in the sidebar on the right for a list of the most dangerous cellphones, radiationwise.

New world stats widget

When I updated the link in the previous post, I found a new multi-purpose world counter. It is so busy its almost too hard to read. By default, it cycles through the categories in the left sidebar showing yearly statistics. To simplify it and duplicate the earlier post's stats, click "Death" in that left sidebar and "Now" in the top bar.

Poodwaddle.com
Yes, it is small. Click here for a bigger one.

Traffic Accidents Kill 1.2 Million People a Year

Worldwide causes of death, 2002:
All causes: 57.0 million

Infectious diseases: 10.9 million
HIV/AIDS: 2.8 million
Tuberculosis: 1.6 million
Malaria: 1.3 million
Measles: 0.6 million
Traffic accidents: 1.2 million
Murders: 0.6 million
Malnutrition: 0.5 million
Wars: 0.2 million


Click here to read the complete article

In perspective . . ..

War, Death, and the Car: Click here to read the complete article

Motorcycle racing and walking are dangerous

Frederick motorcyclist killed in crash may have been racing
The Associated Press
7:24 AM EDT, April 20, 2009
Maryland State Police said a motorcyclist killed in a crash over the weekend was apparently racing another motorcycle.Police said Frank John Chamberlain of Frederick and another motorcyclist were traveling north on state Route 85 Saturday and appeared to be racing, The Frederick News-Post reports.Police said Chamberlain hit a Nissan Sentra as it crossed Route 85 from the Point Plaza and he was thrown from the motorcycle.Chamberlain was taken to Frederick Memorial Hospital, where he later died.

The driver of the Sentra and her passenger were not injured.Police are looking for the rider of the second motorcycle, who fled the scene.

Related links
Teen dies, boy critically injured in Largo accident