Washington - Making Efforts to Get Drunk Drivers Off the Road This Holiday Season to Prevent Vehicle Accidents

The US Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) joined forces to begin working on a nationwide crack down for drunk driving accidents this coming holiday of 2011.

The year 2010 had beengreat for Washington DC, in terms of the reduction of numbers of the drunk driving fatalities. The 2010 statistics released by NTHSA reveals that there was huge decrease in the number of drunk driving fatalities. This was seen in the 32 U.S states.

At present the agencies are thoroughly focusing on the safety of the motorists this coming holiday season. They are now making efforts to make real progress in the reduction of drunk driving deaths.

Both agencies are reminding drivers to get off the road. They warn US citizens to drink moderately or else be pulled over.

Just last year 10,228 people were killed from drunk driving. That means 415 mishaps occurred just by the last two weeks of 2010.

Education and enforcement efforts are the latest urge in the “Drink Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign launched by the agencies. This campaign involved thousands of law enforcement agencies all over the country.

The holiday season disciplinary action enforcement is supported by the $7 million national Drink Sober of Get Pulled Over advertisement campaign that starts from December 16 until January 2. The ad featured an invisible traffic enforcer observing drunk citizens and then apprehends them if they attempt to drive. The multi – million worth advertisement aims to raise people awareness and support the law enforcement activities in all states. The ads convey to the public that traffic enforcers are more vigilant in preventing people from drunk driving.

Though drunk driving still remains to the main cause of death in US, be rest assured that each federal government is doing their best in reducing fatal vehicle accidents which stem from drunk driving.

Father-Son and Mother-Daughter Car Accidents in California Serve as Warning for Motorists

Keep it in the family – anything but vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, two separate motor vehicle accidents in California involving family members did otherwise.

The first one involved a father and son truck drivers. According to a news report by KTLA, the two dirt-hauling trucks being operated by a father and his son collided with each other in Sepulveda Pass, Los Angeles, injuring both. Police investigations found out that an oil slick on the road caused one of the drivers to lose control of his truck. Both men were rushed into the nearby hospital due to minor injuries.

The second incident was more unfortunate than the first one. An Orange County mother accidentally struck her three year old daughter with her SUV, killing the child. According to reports, the Orange Police Department concluded that mother accidentally rolled forward her Ford Excursion, hitting the girl.

It is imperative for all parents to protect and take care of their children; however, when an unfortunate and unexpected accident happens, all is thrown out of the window. The two accidents must serve as a wake-up call to everybody to take all necessary means in order to avoid freak accidents.

For more information regarding motor vehicle accidents in California, it would be best to consult with an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer. Your attorney will guide you throughout the litigation process and help you assert compensation for your injury and losses. Contact our toll free number at 1-866-772-2889 or email us at info@mesriani.com for a free case analysis.

The Labor Day Weekend: The Roads Safest Days

Generally, accidents can be expected during the holiday, especially the long ones, because people move around a lot. People travel miles and miles of distances for merry making and spending time with their families and loved one.

So it is refreshing news to hear that San Francisco, and the majority of cities and counties in California as well, recorded a lower motor vehicle accidents on this year’s Labor Day weekend.

According to the report of the California Highway Patrol, the traffic fatalities were surprisingly lower this year than last year. And the Labor Day weekend when traffic fatalities were historically the highest has been the safest in a year so far.

The downside is that as the accident rate decreases, the number of arrests made increases. This, the authorities theorized, has something to do with the measures of keeping the streets from offenders and consequently keeping roads and streets safer.

Majority of the arrest made involved DUI. There were also cases involving non-use of seatbelts. It was recorded that there are at least 9 deaths that occur in traffic accidents related to non-usage or not wearing of seatbelts. Such deaths, authorities believe, would have been prevented if only seatbelts were worn.

The same report revealed that automobile accidents in San Francisco were down almost half of the number recorded last year.

Generally, it is something to rejoice with and congratulate the California Highway Patrol for helping keeping our streets safer. Accident, especially auto accident, is something that we don’t want to happen to us or to our loved one and families – so news of this sort will always be a welcome treat for us especially during the times of rest and merry-making.

Vehicle Accidents on Road Intersections

Around 30% of vehicle accidents happen at road intersections, especially those lacking traffic signs and warnings. This fact is obvious enough since these are the areas where all sorts of automobiles attempt to change lanes, make their turns, change their speeds or halt on red light.

These dangerous conditions are even severed by motorists who disobey traffic rules, fail to give way or beat the red light.

Like for example the accident that happened in Laguna Canyon Road, Irvine last July 18 where a woman suffered serious injuries after being struck by a cement truck that ran a red light. For now, such incident is still subjected to further investigations to determine the extent of liability that the unruly driver has to face.

Meanwhile, not all cases of intersection accidents should be blamed to the drivers. In several occasions, vehicle accident victims may also file charges against the government, if they can prove that the authorities have been negligent in constructing and maintaining a safe road.

Design flaws, lack of traffic warnings, insufficient lighting and malfunctioning traffic devices are some of the reasons that may implicate the government from liability over an accident occurrence.

Now, in order to reduce chances of being engaged in an intersection accident, you should follow these safety reminders:

• Do not attempt to beat the red light

• If you are about to make a turn, maneuver your vehicle on the proper lane as early as possible

• Be more attentive on other vehicles near you

• Know your vehicle’s breaking capacity and check your breaks at least one kilometer before the intersection

• Maintain safe distance from other vehicles

• Watch out for pedestrians who might be waiting for their turn to cross the roads

Issues about the Proposed Drivers Education Bill

Though this is specially related to matters such as road safety, vehicle accidents and prevention, I would like to discuss it no less because I think this is equally important to those who are just learning how to drive.

The article, “New Drivers Education Bill in California Senate”, posted in February 26, 2008, mentions a newspaper report about the bill introduced by Sen. Tom Torlakson (Antioch) which was intended “to teach teens how to drive”.

According to the proposed bill, drivers who are about to take their DMV test will be required to pay an additional $10 to $27 fee as contribution to the drivers education fund.

Although it is not yet clear who will manage the program, the proponents of the bill should be commended for taking into consideration the issue of teen driving. This bill is not only timely, but it is also long overdue.

Statistics show that there is a growing number of teenagers involve in vehicle accidents across the country. Most of these accidents often result in serious injuries with sometimes-fatal consequences.

Several factors may account for these accidents. Among the causes of accidents, involving teenagers include the following:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

• Violation of traffic laws

• Driver’s inattention and lack of focus

I hope this bill will ultimately help teenagers and young drivers on how to behave on the road. I believe a driver’s education program would help in preventing many road accidents.

Moreover, I would like to see a more comprehensive law that will not only address teenage driving problems but general motoring issues as well. I am expecting a more stringent penalty for those who drive intoxicated and those who participate in illegal road car races.

If not, I hope the proposed driver’s education program will develop new ways to instill proper driving manners and skills to young drivers and eventually, reduce the number of accidents on the road.

With the passing of this bill, we hope to see a decrease in the number of vehicle accidents involving teenagers and perhaps, experience a better and safer road travel in the future.