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Archive for March, 2008

Cell Phones and Car Wrecks

Monday, March 10th, 2008

          My husband is constantly complaining about people using their cell phone while driving.  Just the other day, he told me that he had made it a point to watch as he was driving in town to see if other drivers were using cell phones.   Nearly every driver he passed was indeed using a cell phone. 

          We live in a small town.  It takes approximately 5-6 minutes to go anywhere in town you want to go.  Then why does everyone have to be using a cell phone while driving?  Kids are at school or athletic functions and need to be picked up, someone forgot something and needs you to bring it to them, you are cooking supper and need whoever is out and about to pick up something at the store…and the list of ‘good reasons’ goes on and on.

          Statistics show, and if we were honest with ourselves we would know this without checking statistics, that the distraction of a cell phone almost quadruples our chances of getting into an accident.  Therefore, try to make it a habit to pull off the road to use your cell phone. 

          As the saying goes, ‘the life you save may be your own’.

Revised Cell Phone Law for New Jersey Drivers

Friday, March 7th, 2008

As of March 1st, New Jersey police will have the authority to pull over and ticket drivers for using hand-help cell phones while operating a vehicle.  The revised law allows drivers to use hands-free devices, but makes using hand-held phones a primary offense, allowing police to pull over a driver without any other traffic violations.   Drivers caught talking or text messaging on a hands-held device can be fined up to $100 and face a surcharge of $250. 

The revised law will take effect despite evidence that hands-free devices still only have a marginal effect on the likelihood of being in a car wreck. Current research shows that there isn’t a difference between hands-held and hands-free in regards to the level of driver distraction.   Police reported 3,580 accidents across New Jersey that involved cell phone use in 2006. According to the Department of Transportation, 2006 is the first year that the type of cell phone use during car wrecks has been accounted for.   Of the 3,580 reported accidents, the number is evenly split in regards to hands-free and hands-held devices at 1,854 to 1,726. Out of the 3,580, 11 of the wrecks were fatal. Out of these 11, it is again split. Six fatal car wrecks involved drivers using hands-held and five involved drivers using hands-free. 

If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a car wreck due to driver distraction from a cell phone, contact a driver distraction attorney of Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP at 1-800-460-0606. An experienced driver distraction lawyer will be able to evaluate if you are eligible to seek compensation.

Seatbelt Safety

Thursday, March 6th, 2008

          Seatbelts are a safety feature installed in most all vehicles.  They are meant to keep us safe in case of an accident.  We even have a law that says we HAVE to wear our seatbelt anytime the vehicle is in operation or else a police officer can issue us a ticket.  However, there are times when seat belts fail, sometimes because of a manufacturing defect.  We tend to think that by wearing a seat belt or by making our children wear a seat belt we are being safe.  And, we are being as safe as we can be.  However, if the seat belt malfunctions, it is no better than never having had one on in the first place.  We are trusting the manufacturers to do all the research and be sure the technology is in place to keep us safe.  BUT, if the seat belt does malfunction then the manufacturer should be held accountable for that failure.  If you or a loved one is involved in an accident involving severe injuries or death, call an attorney at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP immediately at 1-800-460-0606, where the attorneys are experienced in such cases and would be glad to help you.