Teens and Distracted Driving

A study published last week by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute indicates that teen drivers are very cautious when they start driving, but increasingly engage in risky behavior as time passes. "Novice drivers are more likely to engage in high risk secondary tasks more frequently over time as they become more comfortable driving," said Charlie Klauer, from the Center for Vulnerable Road User Safety.

The study found that in the first six months, novice drivers were careful, but as they gained experience they began to participate in distracting activities, such as dialing their cellphones, or other mobile devices.  This study was the first to look at how multitasking affects beginners as well as experienced drivers.

Researchers found that the use of hand-held cellphones or other portable devices increases the risk of crashing by 300 percent, sending or receiving a text takes the driver's eyes off the road for a little over four seconds, which is the time it would take to drive 100 yards at 55 mph.  The moral is simple: driving requires attention.

If you have been injured in an auto accident by a distracted driver, you need to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney.  Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger at (303) 279-0221 or visit www.paysingerlaw.com today to schedule a free consultation.

Source: USA Today

New Colorado Drunk Driving Laws Take Effect in January

Beginning January 1, 2014, Colorado drivers who refuse to take a sobriety test will be labeled as "persistent drunk drivers".  Currently, motorists who decline to submit to the test are treated as drunk drivers, and their license is suspended.  Next year, they will be required to hook a breathalyzer to their car and blow into it to determine their blood alcohol content, before the car would start.  Drivers would have to wait two months into their suspension to be eligible for the breathalyzer device. Twenty states now require the devices for first time drunk drivers.

Statistics from Mothers Against Drunk Driving indicate that there were 25,000 DUI arrests in Colorado in 2012, and approximately one third refused to use a breathalyzer or have their blood drawn.

Under the current law, those who have a blood alcohol content of .17 or have multiple convictions are considered persistent drunk drivers.  In 2014, the limit will be lowered to .15.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in Colorado in 2012, there were 169 fatal car accidents involving alcohol.  Approximately 54 percent involved a driver whose blood alcohol content was greater than .15.

If you have been injured in an auto accident resulting from a drunk driver, call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. office for a free consultation or visit our website at www.paysingerlaw.com  and speak to an experienced personal injury attorney.

Source: www.thedenverchannel.com

States Debate Uninsured Driver Laws

An estimated 14% of drivers nationally are uninsured, according to the Insurance Research Council.  It is a chronic problem that states have been unable to solve.  Most states have mandated at least liability coverage to pay for damage and injuries that the driver causes, but problems persist in compliance.  It appears that even the threat of fines does not persuade drivers to obtain coverage.

Some states are contemplating using databases to identify and remove the licenses of those who don't have insurance.  In November, Oklahoma became the third state to enact a law that lets police pull license plates from vehicles that don't have coverage.  The driver can reclaim the plate after obtaining car insurance.

Oklahoma's insurance commissioner, John Doak, says he has "yet to be in a room (for a speech) where there wasn't someone there who was hit or had a family member who was hit" by an uninsured driver.  Those who are hit by uninsured motorists may face large medical bills due to deductibles and out-of pocket costs to receive treatment.

California has had some success with a reduced cost policy for good drivers with low incomes, but only about 11,000 motorists are participating in the program. California estimates there are are three million uninsured motorists in the state.

In approximately eight states, police and other officials can get real time data to verify the existence of coverage.  Another tactic has been to adopt a "no pay, no play" law, under which uninsured drivers who are in accidents caused by insured drivers can't sue for pain and suffering.  However, critics suggest this takes away people's right to sue.  The issue continues to confound state officials, and victims of accidents caused by uninsured motorists continue to pay the price.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney today.  Call The Law Office of Robert Paysinger at 303-279-0221 or visit our website at: www.paysingerlaw.com

Source:  The Wall Street Journal
  

New Trucking Industry Rules Increase Fatigue Among Drivers

The recent rule changes for truckers are causing disruption among drivers.  The new rules, which took effect in July, shorten the average workweek to 70 hours a week from 82, and require an electronic device that caps the vehicles' speed. The time between workweeks now must extend over two nights, including the hours between 1:00 and 5:00 a.m.

Although the new rules were promulgated to reduce fatigue and related crashes, the trucking industry research institute has found that the new rules limiting driving hours have actually increased fatigue for more than 66% of the drivers surveyed.  The findings are the latest salvo in the battle over the hours-of-service rules among safety advocates, regulators and the trucking industry. The industry says the rule is too costly and possibly even dangerous because they put more trucks on the road during rush hour and drivers on the road when they are tired.

Fatalities in large truck crashes declined 26% in the decade ending in 2011, but according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, that is still too high. The agency analysis shows the change should prevent about 560 injuries and save 19 lives a year.  While it seems that the trucking industry has a point, surely we can find a way to reduce trucking accidents

If you have been injured in an accident with a large truck, you need to speak with an experienced auto accident attorney.  Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger P.C., at (303) 279-0221 or visit our website at www.paysingerlaw.com. We help injured people, it's all we do!

Source:http://online.wsj.com

Bus Driver Cited in Yuma County

Six people were injured in a crash in south of Wray in Yuma County Monday afternoon.  The accident occurred between a Chevy Silverado and a school bus.  Four students were taken to Wray Community Hospital after the school bus rolled.

One child was retained for a possible head injury, three other boys ages six to eight were treated for minor injuries and released.

The bus driver and the woman who was driving the truck were also taken to the hospital with serious injuries.  The woman driving the truck was still in the hospital on Tuesday in stable condition.  There were no stop lights or signs at the intersection.  After investigation the Colorado State Patrol cited the bus driver, Jennine Witte for careless driving causing injury.

If you have been injured in a car accident, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.  Call The Law Office of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today or visit our website at www.paysingerlaw.com
Source:  www.denverpost.com

New Marijuana Laws Increase Likelihood of Auto Accidents

Yesterday voters in Colorado approved new taxes on the sale of recreational marijuana.  These taxes are designed to cover expenses for regulation and enforcement of the new laws, as well as education for the health and public safety impact of marijuana use.  Increased public awareness must be expanded on the danger of the combination of alcohol and marijuana use and its effect on impairment.  

There is a growing attitude that marijuana is a safe drug, at least compared to other illegal drugs and alcohol.  A drunk driver is 11 times more likely to be involved in a fatal car accident, while a stoned driver is twice as likely to cause an accident compared to a sober driver  Research indicates that drivers who are high are typically able to compensate by driving more slowly.  However, the combination of alcohol and THC can increase impairment to a greater level than either drug alone. It is anticipated that with greater availability that there may be up to 67.5 million instances of intoxication from marijuana in 2014 in Colorado.

There are no estimates of how many people will get behind the wheel and drive, or how many might combine drugs for a potentially lethal dose.  Because Colorado is on the forefront of the legalization wave, we must be thoughtful and progressive on how we educate the population on this serious issue.

 If you have been injured in a car accident, you should speak to an experienced personal injury attorney. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. at (303) 279-0221. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Source: http://www.denverpost.com

90 Year Old Driver Liable, Not Toyota in Wrongful Death Suit

Although many have focused on the culpability of Toyota in the California wrongful death suit, what is also important is the fault of the secondary defendant in the case. Noriko Uno was struck by another driver who ran a stop sign in August of 2009, causing her to swerve out of control and hit a tree at high speed.

Uno's attorney argued that Toyota had failed to address the faulty brake system in the Camry and this was the cause of the accident.  The other defendant,Olga Belo, the driver who struck Noriko Uno,  now 90 years old was found responsible for the accident and the resulting judgement of $10 million.

This verdict highlights how older drivers' assets can be put at risk, as their ability to drive safely becomes impaired. Per mile traveled fatal crash rates increase starting at age 75 and increase significantly after age 80.  Older drivers should protect themselves with higher liability insurance coverage, higher uninsured motorist coverage and  umbrella policies.

If you are an elderly driver or the child of an elderly driver, call an attorney to see how you can protect those assets accumulated over a lifetime from being lost from one mistake on the road.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, you need to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney.

Call The Law Office of Robert Paysinger, P.C. at (303) 279-0221 today or visit www.paysingerlaw.com
Source: http://www.cnn.com