Modern Hazards'

As drunk driving is on the decline, other trends of hazardous driving practices are becoming prevalent. Much of the new hazards' relate to overworked, and sleep deprived commuters and travelers, who neglect safety in a careless attempt to increase efficiency. During the fast paced hustle and bustle of the typical American workweek, many often 'hit the road' in the morning, without getting a full 8 hours of sleep, as recommended. Most think nothing of drowsy driving, but in reality, it is an impairment which presents a severe risk of danger, and costs lives. A U.S. News and World Report article outlined statistics from a survey taken by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. In this study, 41% of respondents admitted that they had fallen asleep at the wheel at least once in their life, while 11% indicated that this happened to them in the last year. Further, Men are 61% more likely than women to be involved in a collision resulting from drowsy driving. Finally, among all fatal car collisions, 16.5% involved drowsy driving.   http://health.usnews.com/health-news/managing-your-healthcare/articles/2010/11/08/health-highlights-nov-8-2010

Other variables which contribute to dangerous driving conditions are unnecessary and self made distractions. Very often, these also involve individuals trying to multitask. Common examples of this type of behavior include, talking on a cell phone, applying makeup, shaving, reading, as well as, possibly the most common and dangerous hazard: text messaging.  According to a study conducted by The center for Cognative Brain Imaging at Carnegie Mellon University, a driver's brain power decreases by 40% when merely listening to music or a casual conversation. http://www.cmu.edu/news/archive/2008/March/march5_drivingwhilelistening.shtml

Further, according to a University of Utah study of drivers who engage in cell phone use while driving; drivers who merely talk on their mobile device when driving, are more impaired than drivers with a .08 blood alcohol level. This shows that any of the aforementioned distractions could put drivers at substantial risk of harm.http://unews.utah.edu/old/p/062206-1.html

Another unsafe driving practice which most are guilty of, is speeding. In the last 20 years, highway speed limits have increased by as much as one third. Despite the increased capacity for speedy travel, it is still very common for drivers to travel at speeds 10, 15, and 20 miles in excess of posted limits. This practice is inherently dangerous, and the consequences are grave. According to a Consumer Reports study, released on July 22, 2009, more than 1,000 deaths per month are attributable to drivers speeding.  http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2009/07/speeding-and-the-speed-limit.html

Finally, the statistics show that roads in California, are some of the most dangerous, and lethal in the United States. In Fact, a study from the Howard Scripps News Service found that 50% of America's most dangerous roads are located here, in California. The shocking statistics from 2009 are as follows: On I-5, in San Bernadino, there were 834 accidents in which 1,069 people lost their lives. I-10 in Riverside had 440 accidents, with 515 fatalities. 494 individuals died in the 434 accidents which took place on I-5 in Los Angeles. In San Diego, I-5 saw 348 accidents with 382 deaths. On I-8 in San Diego there were 257 accidents in which 297 died; and in Kern County, 283 fatalities occurred in the 230 motor vehicle collisions on I-5. 27.7% of these fatalities involved alcohol, 52.4% involved speeding, and 42% involved drivers or passengers who failed to wear seat-belts. http://www.scrippsnews.com/content/20-most-dangerous-roads-grouped-county

 All of the unsafe driving practices mentioned above would indeed fall under the definition of negligent behavior. Reckless driving is defined as driving with a willful disregard of the safety of other people or property. Negligent driving can carry penalties ranging from suspension of one's driver's license and fines, to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense. A conviction for reckless driving will have even more severe penalties. Moreover, victims of negligent drivers may be able to recover their losses from the offender's insurance policy, or even directly from the driver's personal assets, through civil litigation. The attorneys' at the Law Offices of Drivon, Turner, & Waters are experts in the fields of personal injury and medical malpractice. If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver, please contact us by phone at (209)644-1234, or via email@http://www.drivonlaw.com/

Modern Hazards'

As drunk driving is on the decline, other trends of hazardous driving practices are becoming prevalent. Much of the new hazards' relate to overworked, and sleep deprived commuters and travelers, who neglect safety in a careless attempt to increase efficiency. During the fast paced hustle and bustle of the typical American workweek, many often 'hit the road' in the morning, without getting a full 8 hours of sleep, as recommended. Most think nothing of drowsy driving, but in reality, it is an impairment which presents a severe risk of danger, and costs lives. A U.S. News and World Report article outlined statistics from a survey taken by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. In this study, 41% of respondents admitted that they had fallen asleep at the wheel at least once in their life, while 11% indicated that this happened to them in the last year. Further, Men are 61% more likely than women to be involved in a collision resulting from drowsy driving. Finally, among all fatal car collisions, 16.5% involved drowsy driving.   http://health.usnews.com/health-news/managing-your-healthcare/articles/2010/11/08/health-highlights-nov-8-2010

Other variables which contribute to dangerous driving conditions are unnecessary and self made distractions. Very often, these also involve individuals trying to multitask. Common examples of this type of behavior include, talking on a cell phone, applying makeup, shaving, reading, as well as, possibly the most common and dangerous hazard: text messaging.  According to a study conducted by The center for Cognative Brain Imaging at Carnegie Mellon University, a driver's brain power decreases by 40% when merely listening to music or a casual conversation. http://www.cmu.edu/news/archive/2008/March/march5_drivingwhilelistening.shtml

Further, according to a University of Utah study of drivers who engage in cell phone use while driving; drivers who merely talk on their mobile device when driving, are more impaired than drivers with a .08 blood alcohol level. This shows that any of the aforementioned distractions could put drivers at substantial risk of harm.http://unews.utah.edu/old/p/062206-1.html

Another unsafe driving practice which most are guilty of, is speeding. In the last 20 years, highway speed limits have increased by as much as one third. Despite the increased capacity for speedy travel, it is still very common for drivers to travel at speeds 10, 15, and 20 miles in excess of posted limits. This practice is inherently dangerous, and the consequences are grave. According to a Consumer Reports study, released on July 22, 2009, more than 1,000 deaths per month are attributable to drivers speeding.  http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2009/07/speeding-and-the-speed-limit.html

Finally, the statistics show that roads in California, are some of the most dangerous, and lethal in the United States. In Fact, a study from the Howard Scripps News Service found that 50% of America's most dangerous roads are located here, in California. The shocking statistics from 2009 are as follows: On I-5, in San Bernadino, there were 834 accidents in which 1,069 people lost their lives. I-10 in Riverside had 440 accidents, with 515 fatalities. 494 individuals died in the 434 accidents which took place on I-5 in Los Angeles. In San Diego, I-5 saw 348 accidents with 382 deaths. On I-8 in San Diego there were 257 accidents in which 297 died; and in Kern County, 283 fatalities occurred in the 230 motor vehicle collisions on I-5. 27.7% of these fatalities involved alcohol, 52.4% involved speeding, and 42% involved drivers or passengers who failed to wear seat-belts. http://www.scrippsnews.com/content/20-most-dangerous-roads-grouped-county

 All of the unsafe driving practices mentioned above would indeed fall under the definition of negligent behavior. Reckless driving is defined as driving with a willful disregard of the safety of other people or property. Negligent driving can carry penalties ranging from suspension of one's driver's license and fines, to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense. A conviction for reckless driving will have even more severe penalties. Moreover, victims of negligent drivers may be able to recover their losses from the offender's insurance policy, or even directly from the driver's personal assets, through civil litigation. The attorneys' at the Law Offices of Drivon, Turner, & Waters are experts in the fields of personal injury and medical malpractice. If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver, please contact us by phone at (209)644-1234, or via email@http://www.drivonlaw.com/