IL Governor Quinn Signs New Cell Phone Ban Into Law

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 The Illinois legislature
and Governor Quinn continue their quest to protect drivers and pedestrians with
a new law that bans make
it illegal for drivers to make calls with a hand-held phone within 500 feet of
an accident scene where emergency vehicles have flashing lights, except for
reporting emergencies. It also bans sending picture and video messages while
driving at any time.   Supporters say it would reduce the risk of
careless drivers hitting accident victims or emergency personnel. Cell phone
use by drivers already is banned in construction and school zones. 
 It is also illegal in Illinois to text or email on your cell phone while
driving.

I do
not know the specifics or the genesis of this bill but I imagine it serves
several purposes. First, when drivers are passing by an accident they tend to
be distracted by the flashing lights and all of the commotion from the
accident. Banning cell phone use I believe is an attempt to prevent an already
distracting driving situation. Second, there may be some concern with blocked
lines and airwaves with emergency personnel and responders. Regardless, this
was necessary action taken by the legislature and will hopefully lead to safer
roads and less car accidents.

If
you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Chicago car accident or
Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant
for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website
www.blgchicago.com. style=”font-size: 12pt; font-family: ‘Times New Roman’, serif; “>

Are Chicago’s Pedestrian Safety Laws Protecting Walkers?

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I wrote last year
about Rham Emanuel’s pledge to make Chicago’s streets safer at crosswalks for
pedestrians.  The stricter ordinance enacted by the city required drivers
come to a complete stop when pedestrians are walking through a cross walk. This
was a significant step taken by the mayor and the city to help prevent
vehicle-pedestrian accidents.  Unfortunately, as the Chicago
Tribune, reported last month, the new law has not achieved the desired
results.  A spokesperson for the Chicago department of transportation was
quoted as saying, we’ve
seen a change in behavior.  A little bit. Somewhere less than 10
percent are usually stopping,” she said. It gets better, up to 30 or 40
percent, at places where police actually enforce the law.”

So
what will it take to force drivers to come to complete stops at crosswalks?
 I think this is similar to the problem with texting and driving. I
believe there must be stiffer penalties, especially when a pedestrian is
injured. I do no believe drivers change their habits until they know they face
stronger repercussions. Do the penalties need to be as strong as a first time
DUI (class A misdemeanor)? Probably not. But I don’t think the behaviors
will change until there are stiffer penalties such as higher fines. 

If
you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Chicago car accident or
Chicago vehicle-pedestrian accident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney
Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website
at www.blgchicago.com.  style=”font-size: 12pt; font-family: ‘Times New Roman’, serif; “>

Study Shows War Veterans More Likely To Be Involved In Car Accidents

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The Chicago
Tribune reported last month about a study done by USAA insurance
company about the frequency of auto accidents by veterans of the wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan.  The study revealed that war veterans are involved in 13%
more car accidents than the rest of the driving population in the 6 months
months after returning home.

USAA found that
soldiers took the driving style that kept them alive on the streets of Baghdad
and Kabul and applied it to the suburban roads at home.  The results were
most dramatic for returning members of the Army and Marines, whose accident
rates rose 23 percent and 12.5 percent, respectively. (Rates were up 3 percent
for the Navy and 2 percent for the Air Force).

USAA found
“objects in the road” to be the most cited of the 13 accident causes
it studied.  The insurer also found a direct correlation between the
number of deployments and the rate of traffic accidents — those deployed three or more
times had 36 percent more incidents, those deployed twice had 27 percent more
and those deployed only once had 12 percent more car accidents. A 2009 military
study found that, since 2001, deployments for reservists had averaged from 8 to
14 months in duration.  There was also correlation by age (soldiers under
22 were involved in more car wrecks than those over 29) and by rank (the more
senior a soldier the lower the number of accidents).

USAA stated in their
study that they have shared their study with the government and traffic safety
groups. USAA’s study also stated that they are taking steps to make veterans
aware of the safety risks of driving after returning home from war. USAA did
not actually state what steps they are taking or how they making veterans more
aware of accident risks when they begin driving at home.  I would be
interested in learning what specific actions USAA are taking.

This is another
example of difficult adjustments soldiers must take when returning from war.

If you or someone you love
has been seriously injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident,
then call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation
at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com.

Are Self-Driving Cars The Wave Of The Future?

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The Uk-Telegraph reported
today about an interesting development by auto-makers such as General Motors
who have announced that self-driving cars could be on the market within the
next ten years. Nady
Boules, General Motors’ director of electrical and controls integrated
research, stated that most of the requirements for semi-autonomous driving are
already in place. Those features include Radar, Lidar and camera systems, which
provide modern safety features such as blind-spot recognition, lane-departure
warnings and collision mitigation, could go most of the way to equipping a car
that could drive itself on motorways. Boules stated, “ If you combine these elements and take each of
them to an extreme, we could have a car that can’t crash and a car that can
drive itself.“

According
to Boules, fully autonomous self-driving cars could be in the market within the
next 10 years as well. Boules mentioned that the benefits of fully
autonomous self-driving cars are in easing congestion, eliminating traffic
lights and conventional road junctions, as cars will guide themselves through
while avoiding traffic, and the reduction of weight as these “crash-proof”
vehicles will not need crash-safety structures.  

What
I want to know is whether this will it lead to less car accidents. Also, are
people willing to give up the thrill and enjoyment of driving even if it is
safer to let the computers take over.  I think the answer to this is probably not.
Further, GM and other auto makers need to consider the aesthetics of these
vehicles. I think people take more pride in the car they drive and the way it
looks versus the novelty a mini-machine that is run by computer chips. Regardless,
this is an interesting development to follow, especially any research involving
road safety and vehicle accidents. 

Another issue to consider is what would happen if something in the computer system fails, which causes a traumatic car crash that leads to serious injuries that is of no fault to the driver? Most likely, the auto-makers would be on the hook for the damages based on a product liability claim. Would the auto-makers try to point the finger at the driver in these situation? No doubt this could become an issue and a claim could be tied up in Court while the injured party is left waiting to be compensated for his or her injuries. 

If
you or someone you love has been involved in a Chicago car accident or Chicagotruck accident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney, Aaron Bryant for a
free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at
www.blgchicago.com.  style=”font-size: 12pt; font-family: ‘Times New Roman’, serif; “>

Illinois Dept. Of Transportation Lists Chicago 20 Most Dangerous Intersections

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The Chicago Tribune recently
published an article regarding Illinois Department of Transportation’s list of
the 20 most dangerous intersections in the Chicago metro area. That list can be
viewed here.  

The obvious theme at all of these
intersections is clear: The more traffic at each of these intersection equates
to more traffic accidents. The question remains as to what can be done to
improve the safety at each of these intersections. There doesn’t seem to be a
clear consensus by experts or lawmaker.  “There’s a whole host of factors
that need to be studied before any changes can be made,” , Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman
Guy Tridgell . “If you’re adding existing controls or signals
at one intersection, you could see negative impacts elsewhere.”

“The No. 1 thing a motorist can do is obey the speed limit,
traffic signs and signals and just always be aware of the presence and
vulnerability of pedestrians and cyclists, everywhere in the city,” said
Amanda Woodall, policy expert with the Active Transportation Alliance.

In 2007, red light cameras were installed to help make the
intersections safer. As I have discussed on this blog in the past, there are
mixed reviews on the red light cameras.  The city of Chicago has claimed
that car accidents are down on areas where the cameras have been installed.
Independent studies have said the opposite. Their studies conclude that
intersection with red light cameras are actually more dangerous than before.

At least the data is available and the department of
transportation can study what is making these specific intersections more
dangerous than others (other than the heavy volume of traffic). Hopefully
positive changes can be made.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a Chicago caraccident or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney,
Aaron Bryant, for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm
website at www.blgchicago.com.

Chicago City Council Passes Speed Camera Ordinance

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The Chicago Trubune reported this week that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s controversial speeder camera law was finally passed by alderman. The vote was approved 33 to 14. The law did not pass without a few changes by Emanuel, who had received criticism by the press and by constituents, who suggested the cameras were money making opportunity by the city. Emanuel, who has claimed from day one that these were aimed to save children’s lives, made a few changes to the law before the vote. First, the cameras hours of operation will be limited from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, near schools and parks. Second, the fine for speeders driving 6 to 10 mph over the speed limit will see a fine of $35 rather than $50.

Most interestingly here is that Emanuel admitted that the research initially used by his office was faulty. He admitted it was “error-ridden” and should not have been released. Specifically, the Chicago Tribune previously reported that the cameras would show a 26% decrease in accidents rather than the 60% suggested by the mayor’s office.
I hope this idea works and people are mindful when driving near schools and parks. I can predict right now that my office is going to be flooded with calls from people who receive these tickets asking if there is anything to dispute the fine. A small portion of my practice is dedicated to criminal and traffic defense and I am certain I will receive calls from people asking if there is anything can be done to fight the ticket. The answer is no. These tickets are not traffic violations and they do not go on your driving ticket. These are more comparable to a parking ticket. The fines have to be paid (or risk having your drivers license suspended) but there is not effect on ones driving record or insurance.
Let’s hope we see the elimination of vehicle-pedestrian accidents outside of schools and parks in Chicago.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a Chicago vehicle-pedestrian accident or Chicago car accident, then car Chicago personal injury attorney, Aaron Bryant, for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com. 

Are There More Fatal Car Accidents On Tax Day?

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The middle of April is
stressful time of year for a lot of people (including for small business owners
like yours truly) because it is the time of year when taxes are due.
 Increased stress can lead to many unhealthy outcomes, and according to
some researchers, more car accidents.  I ran across and interesting
article in the Chicago Tribune, which stated that history shows
there is a higher number of deadly car accidents on tax day. According to   Dr. Donald Redelmeier,
a research and physician from the University of Toronto,  30 years of data and found 6,783
traffic-related deaths on Tax Day, or 226 per day compared 213 per day on one
day a week before the deadline day and another day a week after.  The researchers analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration. The results appear
in Wednesday’s Journal of the American Medical Association. 

What has caused this
trend on tax day and is it an anomaly? Answers vary but the most researchers
concluded that there are more drivers on the road on tax day and that increased
stress in many of these drivers can increase the chances for car accident.

Typically I would say
that this is an anomaly but the research did cover a 30 year period and the
numbers are hard to ignore. I guess the lesson here (at least for my-self) is
to finish your taxes before April 15.

If you or someone you
know has been involved in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident,
then call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation
at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com. 

New Illinois Bill Would Outlaw Use Of Cell Phones In Vehicles

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The Daily Eastern News reported recently that Illinois
Representative  John D’Amico, from
Chicago, introduced a new bill that would outlaw the use of cell phones while
driving. Robert Bates, the health studies department chair, teaches
several safety-related classes: Advanced Driving Maneuvers, Accident Prevention
in Schools and Industrial Safety.  Bates said texting while
driving overloads the physical and mental aspects of the body.  “The
driver must make thousands of decisions in a short period of time. Any errors
can result in harm to one’s self or others,” Bates said in an email. “Research
in driving simulators have indicated significant impairment when texting and
driving.”

It
should be pointed out that revisions to the bill would not pertain to people
using “hands-free or voice-activated mode” while driving, but recent research
conducted by the University of Utah questions whether even those options should
be permitted at all.  If the bill passes, Illinois would be the 10th state in the country to implement such a ban.

There
have been discussions by the NHTSA and
others on the national level about a federal ban on cell phone use in vehicles. As I have stated before, I
believe the most effective way to deter this activity would be to stiffen
penalties of those caught texting and
driving. Specifically, increase the penalties on those who cause a car accident
or injuries by texting and driving.
An argument could be made these offences should be treated as a Class A misdemeanor with
the same level of penalties and fines when someone is convicted of drinking and
driving.

If you
or someone you love has been injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truckaccident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the
firm website at www.blgchicago.com.  

BMW Recalls 1.3 Million Vehicles Due To Electrical Issue

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According to Forbes online
and many other news outlets, BMW is recalling 1.3 million cars
worldwide because the battery cable cover in the trunk might be incorrectly
mounted. Based on this defect, BMW says the electrical system can
malfunction, meaning the vehicle could fail to start, or in the worst cases,
the system could char or catch fire.

The BMW car recall affects 5-series and 6-series
models built between 2003 and 2010, the company said. BMW says fewer than 1
percent of those cars have encountered a problem, and it doesn’t know of any
accidents, injuries or fires.

This has been a trend the past few years with
many foreign car makers. Toyota, of course, issued a massive recall due to
issues with a faulty accelerator.  Lexus also had a smaller sized defect
recall a year ago.

If you or someone you know has been injured by a
Chicago auto defect or Chicago car accident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm
website at www.blgchicago.com.

Studies Show Speed Related Accidents Have Increased

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Consumer Reports magazine published an article this month
about a study prepared by the Governors Highway Safety Associated (GHSA), which
concluded that speed related car accident fatalities have been on the rise the
past seven years. Despite substantial decreased in alcohol related fatalities
(down 24% since 1985) and traffic fatalities due to not wearing a seat belt
(down 57% since 1985), traffic fatalities due to excessive speeding has been on
the rise since 2005.  According to the study there have been 12,000 traffic fatalities due to speeding over the last 10 years.

This is an area of
traffic safety that I have not discussed on this blog very much in the past.
The main focus by the government (and this blog) over the past few years has
been on distracted driving and state and federal bans on texting and driving.
Has the government dropped the ball on the dangers of excessive speeding. In
Illinois, I would have to say not entirely. It is important to point out that
starting in 2011 in Illinois if a driver plead guilty or was convicted for
speeding 30 miles per hour over the speed limit, it was considered a
misdemeanor and Court supervision was not allowed. These tickets are often
amended to make them supervision eligible, but regardless, Illinois has made
some steps to curb excessive and dangerous speeding.

What does the GHSA
recommend to decrease speeding related traffic fatalities?  Below is a
list of recommendations:

States should: 

  • Look into speed concerns through aggressive driving
    enforcement, since the public believes it’s a more serious threat to
    safety. 
  • Target speed enforcement in school and work zones, as
    this has higher public support and viewed as less controversial.


NHTSA should: 

  • Sponsor a national high-visibility enforcement campaign
    and support public awareness efforts to address speeding and aggressive
    driving.
  • Promote best practices in automated enforcement
    strategies. Only 14 states allow automated speed enforcement and only two
    allow it everywhere in the state.
  • Sponsor a National Forum on Speeding and Aggressive
    Driving to bring experts together to develop a plan and share information.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a Chicago car accident or a Chicago traffic death then call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com.