Illinois House And Senate Pass Pedestrian Safety Bill

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There is a good news out of Springfield this week as a new law recently passed by the Illinois General Assembly and now awaits Governor Quinn’s signature, that will give greater protection to pedestrians. The legislation that will require drivers to come to a complete stop for pedestrians and bicyclists in all crosswalks, regardless of whether they’re marked with stripes or signs or nothing at all. The bill will become law as soon as Gov. Pat Quinn signs off on it.

In mandating complete stops at all occupied crosswalks, the measure tightens up and clarifies previous laws that required drivers to stop and yield to pedestrians only when necessary.

Click here  to read the entire story from the Suburban Beacon Journal.

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

IDOT Launches “Start Seeing Motorcycles” Campaign

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I wrote the other day about the importance of wearing motorcycle helmets in the prevention of brain injuries . Illinois Governor Quinn announced that May is motorcycle awareness month and IDOT has jumped on board with their new campaign, called “start seeing motorcycles.”

IDOT is offering free courses for beginning and intermediate riders to reduce the severity and frequency of motorcycle crashes. In 2009, IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety trained 16,701 students in its Cycle Rider Safety Training Program (CRSTP), which is marking its 34th year in operation. For additional information on course locations and schedules, go to www.startseeingmotorcyles.org

“When you ride, be aware of your surroundings, others may not see you. Whenever there is a motor vehicle versus a motorcycle accident, most of the time the operator’s comment is, ‘I did not see the bike” said Larry Kolling, Gold Wing Road Riders Association’s IL District Motorist Awareness Coordinator.

“The Illinois State Police is committed to sustaining the downward trend of traffic crash fatalities in Illinois, and ensuring the safety of motorcyclists,” said Acting Illinois State Police Director Jonathon Monken. “Troopers throughout the state will continue to monitor speed limits, check license endorsements, and enforce “Fatal Five” moving violations.”

IDOT issued the following safety tips in promotion of their new campaign.

  • Although Illinois does not mandate wearing a motorcycle helmet, use of approved helmets, protective body wear, boots and gloves is strongly recommended.
     
  • Improve your visibility by wearing brightly colored clothing during the day and reflective clothing at night.
     
  • Don’t ride beyond 80% of your riding capabilities. To do so leaves no margin for the unexpected.
     
  • Don’t become fixed on what’s just beyond your front tire. Be aware of what’s ahead. Safe riders remain aware of developing situations 12-16 seconds ahead. This includes other vehicles, potholes, roadway obstructions, and other potential hazards. This allows time to plan and react in a controlled manner.
     
  • In the event emergency braking is required, remember motorcycles have far better stopping capabilities than cars and trucks. As you’re avoiding the hazard, scan for a safe escape route while watching for vehicles approaching from behind.
     
  • Before proceeding through an intersection, check left, check front, check right, and check left again. Checking left first is important because this is the first lane you cross. Continue to scan in the intersection in a clockwise pattern, checking traffic approaching in front, in case that vehicle turns left in front of you. 77% of motorcycle crashes  involving another vehicle happen in this manner.
     
  • Don’t drink and ride. Alcohol slows reactions and impairs function.

    • It is good to see Illinois promote motorcycle safety. We will see if the state pushes forward with the helmet legislation.

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

    Brain Injury Association Discusses Use Of Motorcycle Helmets

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    With all of the steps Illinois made in the past year to improve safety on the roads (including bans on cell phone use and texting while driving), it is interesting to me that we are one of three states that does not have a motorcycle helmet requirement. There is legislation pending in Illinois, which this blog will watch closely.

    The Brain Injury Association of America recently discussed the importance of wearing motorcycle helmets and how they can prevent serious injuries. According to the BIAA, research consistently demonstrates that helmet laws and helmet use reduce the fatality rate, the probabilities and severity of brain injuries , the cost of medical treatment, the length of hospital stay, the necessity for special medical treatments, and the probability of long-term disability. An estimated $13.2 billion was savedfrom 1984 through 1999 because of motorcycle helmet use. An additional $11 Billion could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets. If you or a loved one ever gets involved in an accident and suffer any injuries, don’t hesitate to get legal help from a professional personal injury lawyer. 

    The evidence is clear that helmets help prevent serious brain injuries . It will be interesting to see if Illinois follows the rest of the country and enacts some sort of helmet requirement.

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

    Metra To Install High-Tech Safety System

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    Metra announced last month that they are going to spend $100 million to install a Positive Train Control (PTC) to its’ systems. PTC is a complex system of computers, including a gps vehicle tracker, radios and other communications equipment intended to take over when a train is approaching another train.

    In an emergency, the system also could override an engineer who may be distracted or otherwise miss or ignore a warning signal to slow down, such as when a train crosses a switch or a track crossover, or when it exceeds the speed limit.

    Basically this is a computer system that aims to eliminate human error. Is this too little too late? Critics say that rail lines should have installed such systems long ago. The National Transportation Safety Board called for positive train control as far back as 1990.

    The NTSB cited the lack of such a system in the deadly crash on Metra’s Rock Island line in 2005, the second such derailment on the same line. In December 2006, the safety agency issued an urgent recommendation to Metra to install an automatic system to warn engineers.

    Regardless, this is a positive step towards making Metra trains safer.

    If you or someone you know has been involved in Chicago car aacident , Chicago truck accident  or Illinois Metra accident , then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation  at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at
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    Track Crews To Blame For Illinois Train Accident

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    A terrible tragedy took place last week in University Park, Illinois, where an Amtrak train struck an SUV, leading to the death of a 26 year old Naperville dance instructor.

    Investigators have now said that track crews inadvertently turned off the gates and warning lights, which led to the collision. A video camera aboard the four-car Amtrak train night corroborated the preliminary findings, officials said. 

    Canadian National crews had been working on a signal system related to switching trains from one track to another within a mile of the University Park crossing, investigators said. The work on the signal system was unrelated to the crossing signals, but it delayed the raising of gates and the shutdown of other safety devices at the crossing after a train had passed, said an official close to the investigation.

    As a result, the barriers, lights and bells activated properly before the approach of a train, but the warning devices continued to operate for an extended period after trains cleared, blocking traffic, several railroad sources said.

    Canadian National crews tried to fix the problem and thought they had remedied it, officials said. But they actually deactivated the warning system, creating an unprotected crossing that provided motorists no indication of oncoming trains, officials said.

    “This was human error. Track circuits and crossing circuits overlap. They got their wires crossed,” an investigator said.

    This is a terrible tragedy that could have been avoided and will more than likely lead to a wrongful death  lawsuit. To read the entire article in the Chicago Tribune, click here.

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

    New Guidelines For Drivers With Alzheimers

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    Rightly or wrongly, we have all gotten upset or pointed the finger at ederly drivers. It is an issue that has received a lot discussion.  The American Academy of Neurologists (AAN) recently addressed this issue and they released new guidelines for drivers with Alzheimers and dementia.   

    The guideline recommends doctors use the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale to identify people with dementia at an increased risk of unsafe driving. The CDR provides a tool for clinicians to integrate information from caregivers and from direct examination of the patient to develop a comprehensive view of the dementia severity.

    Evidence shows driving skills deteriorate with increasing dementia severity. “While patients with mild dementia, as a group, are higher-risk drivers, more recent studies report that as many as 76 percent are still able to pass an on-road driving test and can safely drive,” said Iverson. “Faced with these facts, we needed to provide guidelines for doctors caring for these patients to identify those people at higher risk of unsafe driving, without unnecessarily restricting those who are safe drivers.”

    Caregivers and family members play a role in identifying warning signs from unsafe drivers with dementia. These include: • Decreased miles being driven • Auto Collisions  • Moving violations  • Avoiding certain driving situations, such as driving at night or in the rain • Aggressive or impulsive personality traits

    “It is important that the decision to stop driving be directed by a doctor who is trained and experienced in working with people with dementia and their families,” Iverson said. “Doctors should be aware that assessing driving ability is a complex process. More than one source of information is needed to make a judgment. In some situations, a dementia specialist may be needed.”

    Doctors, patients and caregivers must also know their state laws, since some states require that doctors report any medical conditions that may impact their ability to drive safely.

    The guideline is an update of the 2000 American Academy of Neurology guideline on driving with dementia.

    I will be watching the Illinois legislature closely to see if they adopt these new guidelines. Click here  to read the AAN’s complete press release.

    If you or someone you know has been involved in a Chicago car accident  or Chicago truck accident , then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation  at 312-588-3384.

    Consumer Report Call The Lexus GX 460 Unsafe

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    Toyota continues to face struggles as Consumer Report recently rated their Lexus GX 460 as unsafe. The magazine gave the SUV vehicle a “do not buy” label in its’ latest report, which is the first time its has done so since the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Limited.

    The magazine came to this conclusion after a test of the vehicle’s performance during unusual turns, the rear of the vehicle slid until it was nearly sideways before the electronic stability control system kicked in.  Consumer Reports said in real-world driving, such a scenario could cause a rollover accident.

    “In a real world situation, by that time, the car can hit the curb or the side of the road and that’s the situation where, in a vehicle like that, it could cause it to roll over,” said Gabriel Shenhar, senior auto test engineer at Consumer Reports, who was one of four testers to experience the problem.

    Toyota responded by stating that it is concerned with Consumer Reports’ findings, adding that its engineers will try to duplicate the magazine’s tests to determine its next steps. “Please keep in mind that the 2010 GX 460 meets or exceeds all federal government testing requirements,” the automaker said. “We take the Consumer Reports’ test results seriously.”

    Toyota continues to face problems. First it was the unintended acceleration problems with its’ Prius vehicles among others and now the roll-over problem with its’ high-end Lexus SUV line. It will be interesting to see if its’ testing results differ from Consumer Report’s conclusions.

    If you or someone you know has been involved in a Chicago car accident, Chicago truck accident or roll over accident, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

    Red Light Camera Tickets Being Dismissed For Chicago Employees

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    I have written about the controversy of red light cameras in the past. There have been mixed reviews on their effectiveness. I have received one of these tickets and I have had numerous clients call me about taking care of these traffic violations. Unfortunately there is not a lot anyone or an attorney can do as they are a non-moving violation.  Although, one can request an administrative hearing to challenge the ticket. This is an uphill battle as they are facing videotaped and photographed evidence of the violation.

    Now more controversy surrounds the red light cameras in Chicago. The Chicago Sun Times reports that a large portion of red light camera tickets issued to city employees have been dismissed.

    Since January 2007, 2,685 red-light-camera tickets have been issued to vehicles registered to city departments. At $100 a pop, that should have generated $268,500. Instead, only $77,167 has been collected.

    1,830 of those tickets were dismissed for reasons that include the municipal code exemption for emergency vehicles. Not all of those vehicles were responding to emergencies with lights flashing and sirens blaring. Some police vehicles were working undercover. Some were vehicles assigned to city departments not typically considered emergency departments.

    I would like to see a better breakdown as to why some of these tickets are being dismissed. Click here to read the entire Sun Times article.

    If you or someone you know has been involved in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago Accident attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

    Traffic Fatalities Caused By Elders Trending Down

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    We have all been guilty (sometimes fairly so) of getting upset with elder drivers while on the road. It is often asked whether stricter restrictions should be placed on drivers over a certain age. Regardless, statistics show that auto accidents and specifically, traffic fatalities, have decreased the last several years among elder drivers. This issue was looked at closely by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as they issued a study on what is causing this trend.

    According to the study, fewer older drivers died in car crashes and fewer were involved in traffic fatalities during 1997-2006 than in years past. Car crash deaths among drivers 70 and older fell 21 percent during the period, reversing an upward trend, even as the population of people 70 and older rose 10 percent.

    The study believes that the decrease in auto accidents is due to elderly self-limiting the amount they drive.  Researchers from the study followed drivers 65 and older in 3 states as they renewed their licenses between November 2006 and December 2007. In the first of several planned interviews, more than 9 in 10 of these drivers said that driving themselves is their primary way to travel. Fewer than 1 percent said they’d been advised by family, friends, or a doctor to give up driving.

    This may be a smart approach by many drivers as they age and they face different impairments such as vision, mobility and memory. It will be important to follow these statistics in the next few years as the number of baby boomers become 65 and older.

    If you or someone you know has been involved in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago accident attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

    NHSTA Issues $16 Million Against Toyota

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    Toyota, who has been receiving criticism from both the public and federal government for several months, received another thorn in its’ side. National Highway Safety and Transportation Administration (NHSTA) Secretary, Ray LaHood, announced yesterday that they were issuing a $16 million fine against Toyota for its’ sudden acceleration and sticky pedal problems. This comes on top of hundreds of wrongful death, personal injury and class action lawsuits filed throughout the country.

    “Toyota failed to live up to its legal obligations,” said Transportation Secretary LaHood.

    “Worse yet, they knowingly hid a dangerous defect for months from U.S. officials, and did not take action to protect millions of drivers and their families.”

    This is not good news for Toyota, which seems to be facing scrutiny on a daily basis. The good news is that Toyota will hopefully take the steps to correct the acceleration and sticky pedal problems in their vehicles.

    Read the entire article from the New York Daily News here.
     
    If you or someone you now has been involved in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago accident attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.