Tomorrow begins National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and law enforcement officials in Somerset County as well as other communities will step up efforts to ensure motorists keep their eyes on the road. (1) Distracted driving is defined as engaging in any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from the…
Articles Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Data: Safety Restraint Laws Do Save Lives
The number of motor vehicle fatalities across the country has steadily been declining. (1) New Jersey is in line with these national statistics, having experienced a record low 544 fatalities in 508 crashes last year. For children birth through 8 years of age, this represents a 43% reduction in fatalities…
Despite Stiff Penalties, Distracted Driving Continues at Alarming Rate
Recently a California woman was charged with speeding and distracted driving for wearing the newly-designed Google Glass (headgear that enables the wearer to view a computer screen) while behind the wheel. Those charges were dismissed last week only because it could not be proven that the computer device was operating…
Efforts Being Made to Ensure Pedestrian Safety
In recent months much attention has been given to pedestrian safety and now it is garnering even more attention. The death rate of teenage pedestrians has risen 25% over the last five years, according to statistics released this past summer. Many of those deaths have been attributed to distracted walking.…
Should Drivers Face Jail for Carelessness? Supreme Court to Decide
Careless driving charges are the most common charges drivers face, but should they warrant jail time? That’s a question facing the State Supreme Court and its decision could establish a guideline for municipal courts who commonly hear such cases. (1) The Supreme Court is set to review the case of…
When It Comes to Driving, How Slow is Too Slow?
Drivers know that if they drive too fast they risk getting a ticket or, even worse, may cause a traffic accident. It would be safer to drive below the speed limit, right? Wrong. Driving below the posted speed limit could be just as dangerous as driving above it. In fact,…
School Is Open – Safety Is a Two-Way Street between Pedestrians and Motorists
By now, children throughout the State are back in school which means more pedestrians and motorists are on the roads at the same time. In order to keep New Jersey roads safe pedestrians and motorists alike need to take extra care. A nationwide program entitled Safe Routes to School (SRTS)…
Court: Text Sender Needn’t Be Present to Share Liability for Accident
By now, most New Jersey drivers are aware of the stiff penalties associated with texting and driving, particularly if that action results in an accident. What they might not know is that you don’t even need to be in the car to be held liable. August 27, 2013, a New…
Proposed Law Would Allow Police to Search Cell Phones at Accident Scene without a Warrant
“License, registration and cell phone,” are words New Jersey motorists may soon hear from police responding to the scene of an accident if a newly proposed bill wins approval. The bill seeks to give police the right to look through the phone’s call and message history without a warrant in…
Rules Are Intended to Provide Safe Trails for ATV Enthusiasts
One Hunterdon County man was killed and another critically injured when the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) they were riding ran off the road in upstate New York last weekend. Tragic incidents like this highlight the need for the safety rules and regulations established for those who enjoy the sport of riding…