Why are Traffic Fatalities So High? Preliminary data suggests that traffic deaths in the United States dropped slightly in 2022 versus 2021. But, both numbers and rates remain high compared with prior years. That’s bad news, but standing alone it’s not especially useful. Solving the problem on a larger scale and individual steps to protect …
A recent report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA) shows that traffic deaths from wrong-way collisions are on the rise in the United States. And, recent news reports suggest that the situation is even worse in Massachusetts. AAA looked at data from two consecutive four-year blocks of time, specifically involving fatal wrong-way …
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) can happen in a variety of ways. Some of the most common include unintentional falls, motor vehicle accidents, violence, and being struck accidentally with an object. All of these types of head injuries can be very serious, and potentially even fatal. However, automobile accidents can be particularly dangerous. Massachusetts TBI Data …
At the end of April, a Littleton couple celebrated the third anniversary of being hit by an intoxicated driver by thanking the paramedic who saved their lives. The couple was walking their dog in April of 2018, when the driver hit them and continued on to plow his vehicle into a bank building. Though the …
Heartwarming Pedestrian Accident Story Also Highlights Dangers Read More »
2020 was the year of staying home. Across the United States, miles traveled on both local roads and highways dropped as millions of people worked from home instead of making their daily commutes, schools shifted to remote learning or cut back the number of school days, and bars, restaurants, and other common destinations shut down …
Massachusetts Road Fatalities Hold Steady, Despite Lower Miles Traveled Read More »
Every state has different rules for when the police must be called after a motor vehicle accident. Both Massachusetts and New Hampshire are fairly liberal in their reporting requirements. While some states require certain types of accidents to be reported to the police immediately, both Massachusetts and New Hampshire allow for reporting in writing. Submission …
Should You Always Call the Police After a Car Accident? Read More »
How Dangerous is Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana? Recreational marijuana use has been legalized in Massachusetts and decriminalized in New Hampshire. Recently, neighboring Maine joined Massachusetts in decriminalization. Several surveys conducted over the past few years demonstrate that most Americans favor legalization. But, a study published by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA) …
How Dangerous is Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana? Read More »
“Traffic crash” brings to mind a collision between two or more vehicles, but that isn’t always the way it plays out. In fact, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that about 40% of fatal motorcycle crashes involve only one vehicle. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the rate …
Tailgating is dangerous, but all too common. It’s especially risky at higher speeds, and in crowded traffic conditions where even a relatively minor rear-end collision can touch off a chain reaction. You undoubtedly see other drivers following too close or accelerating right up behind another vehicle all the time. But, do you do it yourself? …
A study released this month by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA) suggests that one simple problem has a significant impact on the number of traffic fatalities and other crashes on U.S. roads–when it comes to driving, our actions aren’t consistent with our beliefs. In other words, many drivers acknowledge that certain behaviors are …
Actions Speak Louder than Words in Traffic Safety Read More »
Traffic in the Northeast and around the country has been unusually low this spring. Coronavirus-related shutdowns and a large-scale shift to working from home meant far fewer cars on the road. You might reasonably assume that would make the roads safer, but data shows something else. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), nationwide motor …
Road Usage is Down, but Traffic Fatalities Climb Read More »
A few weeks ago, I wrote about a new Massachusetts law that prohibited most hands-on device use by drivers in the state. The law took effect on February 23, but Massachusetts drivers got a bit of a grace period. Until the end of March, drivers caught violating the law were only issued warnings. A fatal …
Violations of Massachusetts Hands-Free Law are Common–and Deadly Read More »
In late September, Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker issued a temporary ban on the sale of vape-related products in the Commonwealth. The ban, with minor modifications, survived legal challenge, and the sale of most vaping-related materials is currently prohibited. But, just weeks after the ban took effect, the Department of Public Health reported that the death …
Vape Ban Comes Too Late for Middlesex County Woman Read More »
The season of ice and snow is upon us. It won’t come as any surprise to most drivers that in cold-weather states that winter weather can create risky driving conditions. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHA), 24% of weather-related crashes each year occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement. These …
When you’ve been in an automobile accident and it was somebody else’s fault, that other person is generally legally responsible for your injuries. In other words, the driver who caused the accident will typically be liable for your medical bills, repairs to your automobile, wages you lose because of your injuries, and other damages. Of …
