Designated Driver Services Popping Up In Chicago Area

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The Chicago Tribune wrote an interesting article yesterday regarding designated driver services devoted to driving people to and from parties and/or bars. This is a new trend that appears to be timely considering the holiday season that is upon us. There are several components to this service that differentiates itself from a taxi or your typical “limo’ driving service. First is the price. These designated driving services appear affordable as they typically only charge $12.50 per hour or $25 if you have already arrived to your location. Second, is that the designated drivers use the client’s automobile to drive them to and from their destination. (This eliminates an often common worry about leaving your car somewhere away from home for the night and having to retrieve it the next day.) Third, if the client is going to a party, say in the suburbs, this type of service is much more accessible than trying to hailing or calling a cab to a subdivision.

Some of the new companies that have popped up recently include Paddy Wagon Services of suburban New Lenox, Booze Crews serving DuPage County and U Drink I Drive of Chicago.

This is a very enterprizing idea, and most importantly, can save lives and also avoid the hassle and stigma of being arrested for a DUI .  The Tribune article notes that  in 2009, there were 373 alcohol-related car crash  fatalities in Illinois. Nationally, more than 11,000 people are killed in alcohol-related car crashes  each year, accounting for one-third of all motor vehicle crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

If you or someone you know has been hit by a drunk driver, then call Chicago car accident attorney , Aaron Bryant, for a free consutlation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com.

NTSB Holds Forum On Elderly Drivers

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The New York Times reported last week that the National Traffic Safety Board (NTS would be holding a forum on the state of elderly drivers.

“This is the first time we’re spotlighting aging drivers,” said Bridget Serchak, a spokeswoman for the board. “We’re looking to see what can be done with highway design, vehicle design, state programs and policies — things that affect all of us as we age.”

The driving summit will include academic and medical researchers, industry leaders, law enforcement officials, safety experts and advocacy groups like AARP.  

This is an important subject that garners this type of attention. It will be interesting to see if any new legislation will be proposed from these meetings, including stricter testing requirements for aging drivers.

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.

Toyota Announces Another Recall

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I have reported several times the past year about numerous Toyota vehicle recalls regarding unintended acceleration problems. Toyota was back in the news last month when The New York Times reported that Toyota was announcing another recall, this time for break and fuel pump problems.

Toyota announced that they are recalling 750,000 cars in North America, including Lexus and Avalon models, and 599,000 cars in Japan.  About 140,000 cars in the rest of Asia and Australia, and 50,000 cars in Europe, also are being recalled.

Most of the vehicles in Thursday’s recall need to be fixed for a problem in the brakes’ master cylinder. The cylinder, which contains brake fluid, could leak if filled with a third-party fluid, causing a loss in braking power, he said. Toyota has also found an electrical fault with the fuel pump that could cause the engine to stall. That defect was concentrated in models sold in Japan.

The automaker has not reported any car accidents  linked to these problems,

Models affected in the United States include the 2005-6 Avalon; the 2004-6 nonhybrid Highlander and Lexus RX 330; and 2006 Lexus GS 300, IS 250 and IS 350 vehicles, according to a company release.

Owners will be notified by mailings beginning early next month, and dealers will replace part of the brake’s master cylinder free of charge, Toyota said.

In Japan, the recall includes the Crown, Crown Majesta, Harrier, Mark X, Alphard, Kluger, Lexus GX 350, Lexus IS 250 and Lexus IS 350.

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. />

The Silent Driving Hazard: Sleeping At The Wheel

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I have written in the past about numerous driving hazards such as texting and cell phone use, drinking and driving and the weather. Drowsy driving is another cause that is often ignored until this week, when a new study was released detailing the dangers of sleeping and driving.

AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety released a report on Monday that reported that falling asleep while driving results in 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and more than 100,000 accidents each year. The report states that these numbers may actually be light as the official 1,550 die in the United States because of driver fatigue. Such data rely on admissions from the driver, who may be unsure what caused the crash or who may not be forthcoming.

Not all drowsiness comes late at night. More than one in four drivers told AAA they had fallen asleep during the afternoon within the past year. And more than two-thirds of drivers who said they dozed off said they were unaware when they got into the vehicle that they might have a hard time staying awake.

We will have to see if any new legislation will be introduced to help prevent this problem as has been done by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA this year proposed stricter regulations on airline pilots including a rule that would enable pilots to get more sleep.

Click here to view the entire AAA report.

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

Parent Teen Contracts Aimed At Promoting Safe Driving

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Driving contracts are a new trend among parents and their teenage children, which they hope will lead to safer driving. USA Today reported last week that the contracts, which have two key components: restrictions are modified as drivers gain experience and demonstrate responsibility, and penalties for violations are spelled out clearly. “It’s a way for parents and teens to engage with each other and agree on what the consequences are,” says Arlene Greenspan, a senior scientist with the Injury Center at CDC. “Writing it down clarifies for everybody what the rules are.”

Sample contracts are available through AAA and The Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Sunday marked the start of National Teen Driver Safety Week and a push by many traffic safety advocates to stress the importance of parental involvement for novices. The CDC, for example, this week is launching a “Parents are the Key” education campaign.

The contracts are often used as part of states’ graduated-driver-licensing programs, in which young drivers gain privileges as they gain experience.

Motor vehicle crashes are the No. 1 killer of youths 16-19, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That’s sobering news for the parents of young drivers.

This is positive step towards promoting safe driving for teens. I believe this is helpful not just because it promotes safe driving, but also requires young people to gain more driving experience before they are given more responsibilities and driving privileges.

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

Pitt Basketball Coach Deemed Hero After Aiding Car Accident Victims

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ESPN.com reported an amazing story last week about Pittsburgh Panther basketball coach, Jamie Dixon, and the efforts he made to aid car accident victims that flipped their car on an interstate. 

Dixon said he was driving home from a practice and film session when he saw the car strike a wall and roll over on Interstate 279 in Pittsburgh. He described the incident on Monday after speaking with police investigating the crash.

“I was driving home around 9:30 or 10 p.m. from the office after we practiced and watched film when I saw a car in front of me going in the fast lane and then veer to the right and hit the wall,” Dixon said of the crash. “It flipped a few times. There weren’t a lot of people on the road. I pulled over and ran to the car. There was smoke coming out, which I was later told by the firemen … was from the air bags being deployed,” Dixon said.

Officials said Dixon injured his hands while assisting the occupants, and in video footage seen on WPXI.com, he is seen being treated in an ambulance. He explained Monday that he cut his hands on the shattered windshield glass while trying to help the occupants out of the wreckage.   “A woman was trying to get out and was kicking at the windshield. I grabbed her by the feet and pulled her out. That’s when I cut my hands since the windshield was already broken,” Dixon said.

The local police and EMT workers are viewing Dixon as a hero.  Pennsylvania state trooper Erik Fisher said, “he was a Good Samaritan.  That’s the way people are supposed to be. By all accounts he did exactly what a decent person should do. It’s an interstate freeway and I’m sure countless other cars drove right past. He was one of the very few who pulled over.”

This is a truly remarkable story and testament that Jamie Dixon is not only an excellent basketball coach but a brave and selfless human being.

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 consutlation  on your case or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com.

 

BMW Announces Recall Due To Faulty Fuel Pump

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News outlets, including The Christian Science Monitor, reported today that German auto maker, BMW, is recalling 150,000 of their luxury automobiles for a faulty fuel pump.  The fuel pumps in question apparently can cause vehicles to lose power. The recall covers the 2007-2010 335i; 2008-2010 135i, 535i and X6 xDrive35i Sports Activity Coupes; and 2009-2010 Z4 Roadster sDrive35i.

BMW said it has had no reports of accidents or injuries connected to the recalls.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) closed its investigation in August 2008, citing 19 complaints and 8 reports of the fuel pump failure causing the vehicle to operate in “limp mode.” The auto safety agency said only a small percentage of warranty claims or complaints indicated engine stall.  NHTSA said in August 2008 that the closing of the investigation “does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.” It said it would continue to monitor future complaints.

BMW said owners would be notified of the recalls in the coming weeks and dealers would fix the vehicles. Owners can contact BMW Customer Relations at (800) 563-4269 or by e-mail: [email protected].

I have not read any reports of car accidents  or serious injuries due to this defect but I am sure the media and the NHSTA will keep a close eye on this issue.

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.blgchchicago.com.

Study Shows October Is The Most Dangerous Month For Teen Drivers

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A new study prepared by State Farm Insurance has revealed that October is the most dangerous month for car crashes  by teens. The study shows that teen car accidents  increased by 15% in October compared to other months. The study used numbers from 2003 through 2009. State Farm says that 70% of U.S. states show that October is the most dangerous month.

“Car crashes remain the number one killer of teens and October continues to be our single biggest battleground month,” said Ann Baughan, Vice President of Operations at State Farm. “While promoting teen driver safety requires a year-round commitment, the fall time frame is critically important. As teens return to school, attend homecoming and begin managing very busy schedules, we want them to keep safe driving practices at the top of their minds because our data shows this is one of the most dangerous times of year for teens to be on the road.”

As a result, State Farm has worked with Congress and Philadelphia Children’s Hospital to name the third week in October as National Teen Driver Safety Week.  The week serves as a time set aside for parents, teens, educators and legislators to shine a spotlight on teen driver safety and ramp up conversations about solutions for the high rate of car crashes involving teens. Across the country this week, hundreds of State Farm agents and employees will be participating in teen driver safety activities in their local communities.

Although I often disagree with State Farm’s practices and treatment of injured accident victims, there is not doubt that they are committed to promoting safe driving.

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

Illinois Secretary Of State And AAA Team Up To Promote Safe Driving For Teens

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Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White, was out and about this week promoting a new website that is focus on safe driving for teens. The website, which was built with partner AAA (Illinoisteendriving.com) interactive site helps parents and teens manage the complex coming-of-age process by providing users with specific information based on Illinois laws and where they are in the learning process – from preparing to drive (pre-permit) through the learner’s permit and solo driving.

“Parents and teens alike have many questions about all aspects of the learning-to-drive process,” said Brad Roeber, AAA Chicago Regional President. “AAA has partnered with Illinois‘ foremost leader on teen driving, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, to combine the resources of his office with AAA’s to provide a comprehensive, best-in-class tool before, during and after teens learn to drive.”

The website will provide information about Illinois‘ graduated driver licensing (GDL) system, selecting a driving school and choosing the right vehicle for their teens. Parents will also learn more about some of the common risks associated with teen drivers. Among other topics, teens can take interactive quizzes to prepare for the driving exam, learn the real costs of owning a car, and learn the Illinois laws and fines.

“I am pleased and encouraged that the number of teen crash fatalities continues to drop since my Teen Driver Safety Task Force issued recommendations that led to the strengthening of Illinois‘ graduated driver licensing (GDL) program,” said Secretary White. “Since the stronger GDL program took effect in 2008, teen driving deaths have dropped by over 50 percent. This Web site acts as a wonderful compliment to the GDL Parent-Teen Driving Guide my office developed and will further help parents and teens steer safely through the driving process for years to come.  I commend AAA Chicago for their ongoing commitment to highway safety.”

This is an excellent initiative by Secretary White and we will see if this will help contribute in the overall decrease in serious car accidents  around the state that we have seen the last few years.

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

Study Shows Texting And Driving Has Drastically Increased Amount Of Distracted Driving Accidents

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A recent study from the University of North Texas revealed that the total number of distracted accidents has dramatically increased since 2001, the year text Messaging began.  The Chicago Tribune recently reported that the study showed that if text Messaging had never been invented, there would have been 1,925 traffic fatalities  per year due to distracted driving between 2002 and 2007. But in real life, they rose from 4,611 in 2001 to 5,988 in 2007. Below are some other startling statistics from the study:

  • The percentage of all traffic deaths  caused by distracted driving rose from 11% in 1999 to 16% in 2008.
  • Distracted-driving crashes are more common in urban areas. Overall, 40% of all crashes happened in urban areas in 2008, up from 33% a decade earlier.
  • Only one-third of Americans had a cellphone in 1999. By 2008, 91% of us did.
  • The average monthly volume of text messages was 1 million in 2002. By 2008, it was 110 million

    • 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