Item: Flaxman Law Group
Rating: 5
Author: Clara Barman

Preventing Drunk Driving Accidents in Homestead and Other Cities Means Targeting “Buzzed” Driving

Published on: February 13, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Much has been written and said about drunk driving accidents, and Homestead motorists understand how important it is to drive sober. Drivers are repeatedly told how easily they can cause an accident if they drive inebriated.

Unfortunately, an unintended side effect of this is that some drivers think that driving while slightly “buzzed” is okay as long as they are not inebriated or at the blood alcohol limit. A new study headed by David Phillips of the University of California, San Diego, however, finds that “buzzed driving” may be far more dangerous than many think.

The recent study examined more than 570,000 fatal crashes that took place across the country between 1994 and 2011. According to the findings, no amount of alcohol in the blood can be considered safe – even drivers who had alcohol levels below the acceptable limit were more likely to be the ones at fault in accidents. Even drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .01 percent had a 46% higher chance of causing an accident when compared with sober motorists. This means that an adult man who has drunk half of one 12-ounce beer – about what it would take to get a .01 percent blood alcohol content level – has a higher risk of causing a serious accident.

The problem is that at .01 percent BAC, many motorists would barely feel the effects of the alcohol. They might still feel fine to drive and might not realize that they are at an increased risk of a car or motorcycle accident in Homestead or their home town. The U.S. legal driving limit for BAC is .08 percent, so it is perfectly legal to drive with a .01 percent BAC, even though the recent study suggests that it does come with a risk.

According to the latest study, the .08 percent BAC limit may as well be random. Researchers did not find any significant difference in terms of crash risk between someone with a .07 percent BAC and someone with a .08 percent BAC. What they did find is that both male and female drivers had an increased risk of causing an accident for every increase in their BAC, even when they were legally “okay” to drive. Inexperienced drivers, researchers found, were most likely to be affected by even a .02 BAC while experienced drivers had a significantly higher risk of causing a fatal accidents at a .05 BAC or higher.

Researchers concluded that only drivers with zero blood alcohol content can be considered safe and lowering the blood alcohol content levels for US drivers might help reduce instances of DUI traffic crashes in Homestead and other cities.

As the researchers note, part of the problem is that there are inaccurate perceptions about what constitutes DUI driving. Due to the laws and awareness campaigns, many people think that having a .07 BAC or below means you are “not drunk” while having anything higher means that you are, when in fact the reality is that any alcohol in your system can increase your risk of a serious accident and injuries.

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Curbing Intersection Accidents in Hollywood and Other Florida Communities

Published on: February 11, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Car accidents in Hollywood and other cities across the state can and do occur anywhere. They occur on exit ramps, on abandoned rural highways, on busy streets, on driveways, and in parking lots. However, there is no denying that certain parts of the community are more dangerous than others. Many studies have shown that intersection accidents in Hollywood and other cities can be especially deadly and especially common.

There are many things that make intersections especially dangerous for accidents:

•Some intersections rely on drivers understanding right-of-way rules
•People get impatient at intersections, which can cause speeding and accidents
•Drivers rely on traffic lights at intersections, and these traffic lights may fail, leading to accidents
•There are multiple cars driving at different speeds at intersections
•There is a lot going on at intersections – there may be pedestrians trying to cross the street, there may be cars turning, and there may be cars going straight ahead
For all of these reasons, intersections tend to be especially dangerous. They also tend to result in serious accidents for a number of reasons. In many cases, for example, intersection accidents involve speeding, which can result in more severe injuries. This is because drivers may tap on the gas in order to get through an intersection more quickly. If they misjudge the distance or speed or make another mistake, this can easily lead to an accident such as a broadside accident in Hollywood or another serious accident that occurs at high speed. Intersection accidents can also be especially dangerous because they often involve pedestrians who are crossing a traffic signal. These accidents can be especially devastating for the pedestrian, since a pedestrian has no chance against a larger vehicle such as a passenger car or truck.

There are many things that you can do to prevent intersection accidents in Florida, including:

•Approach intersections carefully
•Understand right-of-way rules and obey them
•If traffic signals appear to be working incorrectly, treat the intersection as a four-way stop
•Make eye contact with other motorists sharing the intersection, particularly if you’re a pedestrian and trying to cross the street
•Always obey traffic signals at intersections
•Drive undistracted and fully focused on driving
If you have been injured in an intersection accident, there may be multiple liable parties involved. If poor road design or poor road work has resulted in the accident, you may have a legal claim against the municipality or the person responsible for maintaining the intersection. There may be an at-fault driver who is responsible for the incident as well. In addition, a personal injury attorney in Hollywood will want to explore the mechanics of your vehicle to see whether car failure or mechanical failure resulted in the accident. Pursuing all liable parties can help you get fair compensation if you have been severely injured in an accident.

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Could New Laws for Teen Drivers Slash Car Collision Rates in Hollywood and Other Cities?

Published on: February 4, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

New study out of Connecticut has found that car accidents and injuries involving young drivers dropped by about 60% after the introduction of graduated licensing and stricter rules for younger drivers. In addition to graduated licensing, in 2004 Connecticut set a curfew for teen drivers and also banned passengers for teen drivers who had their license for less than a year.

This study may be from another state, but it can mean good news for car accident rates in Hollywood and across Florida. Florida was in fact one of the first states to introduced graduated licensing and increased restrictions for younger drivers. The state passed its new licensing laws in 1996. According to a 2000 study published in Accident Analysis Prevention journal, in the first full year of graduated licensing Florida saw a 9% reduction of injuries and accidents among 16 and 17-year old motorists.

Under current laws, a 15-year old Florida resident can get a learner license. To get the license, teen drivers must pass a written exam and eye exam, among other requirements, and must show that they have passed a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course. With a learner license, teen drivers must drive only during daylight hours in the first three months and must always be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age.

At 16, teen drivers can apply for an intermediate license. To do this, they must show that they have 50 hours of behind-the-wheel experience, with at least 10 hours of night driving experience. To get the license, teens must pass a road test. Once licensed, teen drivers who are 16 years old must limit driving hours between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., unless a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old is sitting in the front passenger seat with them or unless the teen driver is driving to or from work. At 17, drivers can drive between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m. unless a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old is sitting in the front passenger seat with them or unless the teen driver is driving to or from work. At 18, teen drivers can apply for full license privileges.

While this system may be helping prevent car and truck accidents in Hollywood and other cities, some experts say that there is still more room for improvement and would like to see laws that:

1) Limit passengers for teen drivers. Currently, Florida is one of only a handful of states to place no restrictions on the number of passengers that teen drivers are allowed to have. Research, however, has shown that teens with passengers in the car may have an elevated risk of accidents.

2) Require behind-the-wheel instruction from a driving professional. To get an intermediate license, teen drivers in Florida must get parent or guardian certification that they have driven at least 50 hours. Some safety experts believe that requiring the road experience to take place with a driving instructor in the car would prevent some traffic collisions in Hollywood</a4 and Florida since professional instructors could ensure that teens received at least 50 hours of professional instruction.

What laws do you believe would help reduce car accidents among teen drivers?

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Studies Show How Drugs Can Increase the Risk of Car Accidents and Injuries

Published on: January 30, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Much has been written about drunk driving in Hollywood and other Florida communities and thanks to education campaigns many drivers are aware of the risks of drinking and driving. Unfortunately, there is less emphasis on driving under the influence of drugs and medication, even though there is plenty of research to suggest that both legal and illegal drugs can increase the risk of a car crash in Hollywood. A few recent studies have highlighted the risks:

1) A recent study from Toronto’s Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, published in the JAMA Internal Medicine, found that patients with low doses of opioids like oxycodone, codeine and morphine may have an increased risk of car accidents. According to researchers, patients who had doses of 20 milligrams of morphine – which is considered a low dose – had an 21% greater risk of traffic accidents when compared with patients who were not taking the medication. Patients taking high doses of morphine had a 42% increased risk of car accidents.

2) Another recent study, headed by Associate Professor Mark Asbridge of Dalhousie University, concluded that drivers who consume marijuana a few hours before getting behind the wheel may be almost doubling their risk of a crash. Asbridge and his team examined the medical records of 49,411 accident victims to reach their conclusions. This study supports earlier findings that cannabis may contribute to car accidents by affecting decision-making, concentration, and motor skills.

3) A recent study from McGill University looked at the records of 225,000 accident victims over the age of 67 and found that drivers who were taking long-acting benzodiazepines – often used to treat insomnia and anxiety – may have a 45% increased chance of being in a serious car crash. These medications, which include Clonazepam Klonopin, Valium, Tranxene, Libratabs, and Dalmane, can remain in the bloodstream for over 24 hours, although the largest risk of a crash seems to be in the first few hours of taking the substance.

Doctors and researchers agree: many over-the-counter, prescription, or illegal medication or drugs can increase your risk of a traffic accident in Hollywood or your community. It can be especially dangerous to combine drugs and medication, since the drug interactions can sometimes produce unexpected effects. When taking any over-the-counter or prescription drugs, you will want to speak with both your doctor and pharmacist to examine any possible interactions that could occur with the drugs you take and any drowsiness or other side effects that could occur with the medication. You may need to adjust your dosage or choose another medication to avoid any effects that could increase your risk of a traffic accident. If you take a medication and notice any unusual or unexpected symptoms such as dizziness or fatigue, contact your doctor or pharmacist for further advice and avoid driving until you determine it is safe to do so.

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It’s Time to Get Serious About Driver Fatigue and Car Accidents in Homestead and Florida

Published on: January 28, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

On the surface, being a little tired may not seem like a very big problem. Many drivers who feel tired after a long day at work or a bad night’s sleep simply stock up on coffee or energy drinks and go about their day. As many safety experts note, however, this attitude is extremely dangerous and may be leading to many car accidents in Homestead and across the country.

There are many reasons why fatigued driving may be just as dangerous as drunk driving in Homestead and other communities:

•A driver who falls asleep at the wheel has no control of the vehicle, which is not only likely to cause an accident, but in many cases the accident will be a serious one since the driver is asleep and cannot take steps to reduce or avoid the impact.
•Fatigue reduces reaction time, which can result in an accident.
•Drivers who are tired may fall asleep in tiny increments known as micro-sleeps. The driver may not even be aware that they have fallen asleep, but they are still at a greater risk of a crash.
•Sleepiness reduces concentration, alertness, and compensation, which can increase the risk of a collision.
•Sleepiness can affect motor skills, decision-making skills, and information processing, all of which can put a fatigued driver at a greater risk of an accident.

Many drivers simply ignore signs of fatigue. In some cases, they ignore the risks even though they know the dangers of fatigued driving. In other cases, drivers may dismiss sleepiness as a type of normal experience and go about everyday activities without fully understanding the dangers.

The truth is, fatigued driving in Homestead and Florida is a decision, and unfortunately it is a decision that costs many lives each year. Fortunately, there are many things that motorists can do to prevent accidents caused by fatigued driving:

1) Be aware of the risks. Knowing the risks of sleepiness behind the wheel is only the first step. Drivers also need to be aware of when they are most likely to be sleepy and in a fatigue-related crash:

•When doing shift work
•Between 2 am and 6 pm
•On long drives, especially if those drives are along monotonous freeways and highways
•Between 2 pm and 4 pm
•After a big meal
•After drinking alcohol
•When ill or taking certain types of medication
•After a long or difficult day at work
If you find yourself driving in any of these situations, you may want to assess your fitness to drive before getting in your vehicle.

2) Check for sleep disorders and other health reasons that may cause you to feel fatigued. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea may increase a person’s risk of an accident because they cause difficulties sleeping and may cause extreme fatigue during the day. These conditions can also be difficult to diagnose. If you find yourself getting tired easily or needing a nap during the day, speak to your physician to see whether there is a health problem.

3) Plan longer drives and at-risk drives carefully. If you do need to drive after shift work or need to take a long drive, for example, plan ahead. Consider getting a cup of coffee and getting a nap before you drive and break up longer trips with 15 minute breaks. If you do find yourself getting sleepy, pull over and stop in a safe place. Call for a ride or wait until you feel less tired before continuing on. If you are on a long drive, the best option is to stop at a motel or hotel overnight to catch up on sleep.

4) Avoid any substances that can contribute to sleepiness. Even small amounts of alcohol can make you more fatigued, so a drink when you are tired may put you at risk of an accident even if you are well below the blood alcohol limit. In addition, many over the counter and prescription medications can cause drowsiness. Always speak to your pharmacist about any new medication.

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Top Situations That Can Lead to Road Rage in Hollywood or Your Community

Published on: January 23, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

Avoiding road rage is an important part of avoiding Hollywood car accidents. Road rage leads to distraction, yelling, speeding, and other behaviors that can cause a crash. To avoid these issues and to reduce your risk of a collision, you might want to consider (and avoid) some of the common causes of road rage, which include:

1) Not merging correctly. To merge onto a freeway, you need to check for oncoming cars and then move into traffic in a way that does not disrupt traffic or cause an accident. Merging too quickly can cause a crash while hesitating too much is also dangerous as it creates traffic on the ramp and can cause a rear-end collision in Hollywood or your community. It seems fairly simple and merging is something covered in driver’s classes, but according to a recent study, just under 70% of motorists polled couldn’t identify a correctly-merging car on a highway. Obviously, there seems to be come confusion about how to merge correctly.

2) Not using signals. It only takes a second to turn on your signal before you try to change lanes or turn, but the simple gesture can save a life. It is the only way to let other drivers around you know of your intention to turn or change lanes.

3) Coming to an abrupt halt at a yellow light. On many roads, yellow lights are only a few seconds long – possibly not long enough for the car behind you to come to a stop. Stopping suddenly can easily lead to a crash, so always be aware of who is behind you. If there is another car following you, avoid slamming your brakes.

4) Drivers who match drivers’ speeds in the passing lane. When a car enters the passing lane to pass, the idea is that they should complete their pass safely and get back out of the passing lane. Cars who drift along in the passing lane fuel driver rage and box other vehicles in, which can easily lead to a car or truck accident in Hollywood or your community.

5) Tailgating. Driving too closely behind another vehicle can easily lead to a collision. It is especially important to leave extra room when driving around big trucks – as these take longer to come to a complete stop – or when driving in bad weather.

6) Changing speeds often. Drivers who speed up, slow down, then speed up again are often distracted drivers who are simply not paying attention to their speedometer. Unfortunately, all those changes in speeds can lead to an accident if other drivers on the road cannot keep up with all the changes.

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The Facts About Elderly Drivers and Car Accident Risks in Miami and Other Cities

Published on: January 21, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, senior citizens across the country account for 17% of fatal pedestrian accidents and 14% of all traffic accident deaths, even though they amount to only 9% of the population. While some claim that elderly drivers are unsafe on the roads, though, many studies show that drivers under the age of 85 are in fact safer than teen drivers. However, according to Carnegie Mellon University researchers and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drivers 85 and over have four times the fatal accident rate of teen drivers.

The issue, most experts agree, is not age but rather cognitive function and physical ability. The problem is that all drivers age differently. Some may remain sharp and physically active well into their 80s and beyond – including staying safer behind the wheel – while other motorists may start to experience dementia and other dangerous conditions well before their 70th birthday. It becomes a huge challenge for law enforcement and legislators to find a way to prevent car accidents in Miami and other cities by keeping unsafe drivers off the road while not limiting the freedoms of safe drivers.

In some cases, the decision to limit or take away one’s ability to drive is highly fraught. Families may want to prevent a loved one from being in a serious car or truck accident in Miami but may not be sure when to act. Or, they may not want to argue with a loved one and may hope that doctors or law enforcement make the decision about driving safety.

A big problem for families is that it is not just about driving and about preventing traffic accidents in Miami and Florida. It is about independence. Elderly loved ones who can no longer drive may have a harder time getting around and taking care of everyday tasks such as grocery shopping. They may face more isolation and a declining quality of life, which medical experts agree leads to declines in mental and physical health.

According to safety experts, there are a number of warning signs that families may need to step in and discuss hanging up the keys of an elderly driver:

•Signs of minor accidents, such as scrapes or dings on the car or an elderly loved one’s property
•Instances where an elderly driver has gotten lost, even in places they know
•Vision difficulties that make it hard to see the road signs, the road, and other vehicles
•A number of near-misses or minor accidents
•Difficulty estimating gaps in traffic at exit ramps and at intersections
•An elderly loved one getting confused while driving or experiencing road rage, causing aggressive driving or honking from other motorists
•Slow response times
•Difficulty using the gas and brake pedals – confusing the two, for example, or having a difficult time moving from one to the other
•Problems focusing on driving
•An elderly loved one getting multiple warnings or tickets from law enforcement
•Difficulty physically moving around to check blind spots
Of course, everyone has a bad experience driving or some difficulty once in a while, but if you notice one or more of these signs in yourself or a loved one, consider limiting driving and visiting a doctor and a driver-improvement or driving rehabilitation class. A doctor can help determine whether there are health barriers to safe driving while a qualified driver rehabilitation course can help a motorist drive more safely even with physical challenges.

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Is Your Teen Driving Around Homestead? Their Biggest Risk of an Accident May be in the First Month Behind the Wheel

Published on: January 16, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to a new study released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, teenage drivers are at an increased risk of a car crash in the first month that they are on the road unsupervised. In fact, researchers concluded that new teen drivers are 50% more likely to be in an accident in the first month behind the when compared with their risk after a year of unsupervised driving. When compared with the crash risk after two years of driving, teens are twice as likely to be in an accident in the first month.

The study was conducted by using in-car video cameras in the cars of 38 new teen drivers. The cameras remained in the car during driver training and during the first six months the teens were driving solo. Researchers found that of the car crashes that occurred in the first month of driving, 57% were caused by just three factors: inattention, speeding, and failure to yield. In the first few months of driving, teens were also more likely to be in a left-hand turn collision.

Researchers concluded that teens need more training to learn certain maneuvers (such as left-hand turns) and more instruction about right of way. The study’s researchers also found that part of the problem seemed to be that teen drivers drove differently when they were supervised than they did when they drove alone. When driving with parents, teens tended to drive in simpler driving conditions, along streets they knew, and the new drivers were also more likely to use caution. When driving alone, though, teens were more likely to talk with passengers and engage in other risky behaviors – such as texting and driving or running red lights. They also tended to drive along unfamiliar routes when driving alone or with friends.

According to the AAA Foundation and other safety experts, there are several things that parents can do if they have new drivers at home and want to reduce the risk of their child being in a car collision in Homestead or any community:

1) Limit the number of passengers your teen is allowed to take in the car. A few studies have shown that teens who drive with teen passengers may be more distracted and may take more risks than teens who drive alone or with adults. The more young passengers in the car, the greater the risk of a car or truck accident in Homestead or your city.

2) Limit night driving. Many car and pedestrian accidents in Homestead occur due to poor lighting and poor visibility at night. You may want to limit night driving until your teen shows that they have mastered driving in better lighting conditions.

3) Encourage more supervised driving. This will discourage risky behavior and will ensure your teen builds driving skills before heading out solo.

4) Get more training for your teen driver. Additional training with a professional instructor is a great way to build skills and confidence. It is a smart investment in your child’s safety.

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How Texting Increases Your Risk of A Car Collision in Hollywood and Florida

Published on: January 14, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

A new study from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute examined cell-phone use in real-world driving conditions and concluded that for younger motorists especially, certain cellphone activities can be especially risky. According to researchers, texting, reaching for a phone, or dialing can all increase the risk of a near-accident or car crash. However, the same study also found that simply talking on the phone did not increase the risk of crashing as significantly as some earlier studies had suggested.

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study relied on GPS devices, in-car cameras, sensors, and other tracking technology in cars to test 109 adults and 42 new teen drivers. The study did not look at the difference between hands-free devices and handheld devices.

The researchers concluded that teens who were reaching for a mobile device or dialing a phone had a sevenfold increase risk of a collision or near-miss. The risk of an accident for these drivers also rose if they were eating, looking at something outside the car, or were reaching for other items in the car. For adults with twenty or more years of experience with driving, dialing a cellphone increased the risk of a near-miss or car accident. The study’s findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Other researchers, however, including David Strayer of the University of Utah, went on record as saying that the studies is at odds with many other studies about distracted driving. Many of those studies suggest that talking on a cell phone does increase the risk of a collision, and some studies have gone so far as to show that hands-free devices may not be much safer simply because talking is a distracting activity – whether it is done with a handheld phone or not. According to Strayer and others, the sensors in the test cars in the study cannot gauge cognitive distraction, which can lead to car accidents but may not be easily tracked by wandering eyes or other signs that in-car cameras can capture.

In other words, despite the new study, most safety experts agree that drivers who want to avoid a car collision in Hollywood or any community would do best to put away their mobile devices and focus more on the road. The new study examined fewer than 200 subjects and it is possible that a larger study might reach different conclusions. In the meantime, most safety experts agree that many truck accidents in Hollywood and across the country are caused by distracted driving and by cell phones and other devices. Even if the exact level of risk is unknown, the risk of a serious head injury, spinal cord injury, or Hollywood tragedy is just not worth it.

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Things You Want to Keep in Your Car In Case You Are Ever in a Car Accident in Hollywood or Florida

Published on: January 9, 2014 | By Flaxman Law Group

No one wants to think that they will be in a serious car or truck accident in Hollywood or their community, but the longer you drive the more likely it is, statistically, that you will eventually be in a crash. It pays to be prepared in any event, to ensure that you are as protected as possible. In addition to having good defensive driving skills and good insurance, you can protect yourself by having a few things in your car:

1) Basic maintenance and repair tools. If you are ever in a single-vehicle collision, you will want to be able to help yourself. For this, you will want to have on hand your car’s manual, a tire inflater and sealer, a spare tire, jumper cables, duct tape and WD-40, contact information for roadside assistance or a mechanic in the area, and a tire pressure gauge.

2) Safety kit. If you are in a hit-and-run accident in Hollywood or your community and no one stops to offer you help, you may be on your own for a while and you will want to have supplies that can help you survive. You will want to have a first aid kit, a flashlight, a blanket, radio, a multi-purpose tool that includes a knife and other gadgets, matches, a cell phone, energy bars and water, maps, flares or reflective signs, and maps. Another good item to keep in your glove compartment is a glass cutter, which can help you if you are ever trapped in your vehicle after a car accident.

3) After-accident convenience items. If you are ever involved in a traffic accident in Hollywood or your community, it can be handy to have items on hand to make the process immediately after the accident easier. For example, having a camera on hand or a cell phone that can take photos makes it easier to document evidence at the scene. Having a notebook and pen can also be handy for taking down contact information of any witnesses and the other driver. It is also useful to have insurance information handy as well as a list of local attorneys, medical clinics, hospitals, and other important information. Finally, if you are ever in a serious accident, it can help emergency responders if emergency contacts and any medical or allergy information is listed with your insurance information in the glove compartment.

4) Items that can reduce your chances of being in a car accident. Having a fold-up kennel in your car is a big convenience if you transport dogs or pets, as it ensures that pets are never roaming free all over your car, posing a distraction. Having sunglasses and sunscreen can also be important if you want to protect yourself from the sun and the glare of a bright Florida day. In fact, anything you need that can make your driver more pleasant and less distracted can be a big help.

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