In a bold move that is already drawing criticism, the National Transportation Safety Board has announced a recommendation for a nationwide ban on all cell phone use while driving. It is a recommendation only, not a requirement, but it is certain to have far-reaching effects on the national discussion over driving and cell phone use. The NTSB Chairwoman, Deborah Hersman, defended the all-encompassing ban, saying it is the duty of her organization to ensure public safety. “I think our charge is not to worry about what’s popular,” said Hersman. “We don’t take surveys to try to figure out what we should say. In fact, many of the recommendations that we make are not popular with folks, whether it’s policymakers or the average citizen, because we’re asking people to change behavior. We’re asking people to do things that might be hard.” According to the NTSB, 3,092 roadway fatalities last year were…
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Car Wreck BLOG - Cappolino, Dodd, Krebs, LLP
A Nationwide Cell Phone Ban
December 29th, 2011Bolt Problems could see wheels fall off Fords
December 27th, 2011Ford will be recalling 128,000 2010-2011 model Fusions and Mercury Milans. Apparently, the wheels could fall off the cars, causing car wrecks, injuries, or even deaths. Federal regulators have said that bolts holding the wheels on can fracture, which causes a vibration. If the vibration is ignored, the wheels can separate from the car. The recall is expected to begin around January 24, 2012.
Texas Leads in Teen Deaths From Traffic Wrecks
December 27th, 2011According to a report out of Austin, more teenagers in Texas die in traffic accidents than in any other state. A 2009 report released from Allstate showed that 556 teens lost their lives on Texas roadways that year. The report also said that Texas needs to strengthen its teen driving laws. Currently, teens are only allowed to have one passenger in the car under age 21 while they are behind the wheel. Regulations detail that teens are not allowed to drive between midnight and 5 am. In 2009, it was mandated that teens are not allowed to talk or text on cellular phones until they are 18 years old. Reports have reflected that lawmakers have failed to instate laws that protect teen drivers. By simply raising the age of full driving privileges to 18 and not allowing a driver’s permit until age 16, approximately 221 lives and $1.5 billion could…
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