Category Archives: Distracted driving

With Tougher Penalties for Distracted Driving, a Greater Chance for Safety

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A new New York State law with harsher penalties for texting while driving could help to increase safety on the roads.

A recent front-page article in the Elmira Star-Gazette delivered some excellent news; in fact, the headline says it all: “Tickets for Texting Soar.” Indeed, under a recent law, drivers caught using electronic devices while driving could face a $150 fine and three points on their driver’s licenses.

In the article, Barbara Fiala, commissioner of the state Department of Motor Vehicles, said, “We currently have one of the strongest anti-distracted-driving laws in the country.” Last July, a state law made texting a primary offense, meaning that a police officer could pull someone over if the officer suspected texting behind the wheel. And in a state where more than 570 tickets were issued in Chemung and Steuben County alone for cell phone and texting violations over the past 7 months, taking even greater measures to crack down on distracted driving will, true to Ms. Fiala’s words, help to better ensure our local status as having one of the “strongest”- and safest- “anti-distracted-driving laws in the country.”

As an accident attorney, I could not support this new law more. Cell phones- and the temptation to use them while driving- are a prevalent part of everyday life. This legislation and the penalties it will inflict are a wonderful reminder of just how important it is to drive safely and just how much one can stand to lose by driving distracted (and, as I see on a regular basis, it is a lot more than a $150 fine!).

The article included an especially poignant statistic: according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 5,400 people were killed and almost 450, 000 were injured nationwide in crashes involving distracted-driving in 2009. What these incredible statistics may not portray, however, is the depth of the suffering for those involved. The legislators behind the new texting and driving law made their decision about the specifics for the new law after hearing testimony from local officials and residents, including Jacy Good. Miss Good, of White Plains, lost her parents and the use of one arm in a 2008 Pennsylvania distracted driving crash. She missed her parents’ funeral because she was in a coma.

Please learn from Miss Good’s story. If hearing about the suffering of distracted driving accident victims is not enough, instead take heed from the potential penalties of this new law. It will save lives- and hopefully bring a sense of justice to people like Jacy Good.

 

Thanks, Christina

 _________________________________
Christina Bruner Sonsire, Esq.
NY & PA Injury & Malpractice Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William Street
Elmira, New York 14902-1338
csonsire@zifflaw.com
Office: 607.733.8866
Toll-Free: 800.ZIFFLAW (943.3529)
Web:zifflaw.com
Blog: NYInjuryLawBlog.com


NY Attorney Offers Advice on Technology that Helps Keep Teens Safe While Driving

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As an accident attorney, I could not help but laugh when I saw this Close to Home comic. Throughout my daily work, I meet many teenage victims of accident cases, so I understand the importance of not driving distracted. Therefore, while this comic is funny, it also got me thinking: is there a better way for parents to ensure the safety of their teen drivers— without going to the extremes of this mother and her driving gloves?

Recently, I have come to find a surprising source of comfort for the anxiety that having a teenage driver may provoke: technology. Indeed, those same cell phones that can cause so much potential for reckless and distracted driving can also be a powerful tool that can help keep young adults safe and accident-free.

Last November, my colleague Jim Reed wrote a blog post, which can be seen here, praising the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for banning texting while driving. Like Jim, as an accident attorney, I cannot say enough how much I agree with that decision. I am, however, also realistic in realizing that, like so many adults, teens are often glued to their cell phones. Even though there are laws in place banning texting and driving, the temptation is still there. That is why many parents may find a recent USA Today article, entitled “Devices Target Distracted Driving,” interesting; it cites cell phone apps or other forms of technology that can allow parents to stop their teen from texting, surfing the Internet, or even talking on their cell phones while they are driving.

Inspired by the USA Today article, here are three tools that can help keep your teens safe:

1. Cellcontrol- available for $7.95 a month for up to six phones, this in-car port stops drivers from gaming, searching the Internet, and receiving texts and phone calls while driving. You can see a video of how Cellcontrol works here.

2. iZup- a cheaper alternative to Cellcontrol, costing $20 annually, this blocks cell phone use while a car is moving, even disabling it at stop signs and red lights, often taking several minutes to disable after a car stops moving.

3. iCar Black Box App- In the event of an accident, this 99 cent app acts as a black box, recording a video during the accident that you can then access later.

Indeed, today the phase “There’s an app for that” can apply to so many varied topics, including everything from pet first aid to emergency flashlights when it comes to accident scenes. I deal with many families with teens who have been deeply affected by the terrible physical and emotional pain that car accidents can cause, and I can only hope that new technology can help prevent similar trauma in the future.

Even if these tools do not work best for you and your family, I encourage everyone with teenage drivers to stay safe, talk to your kids about their driving habits, and keep up to date with New York State teen driving laws.

No matter how you choose to protect your family while they drive, I hope that everyone stays safe this winter— preferably without having to wear “no-text driving gloves”! 

 Thanks, Christina

_______________________________
Christina Bruner Sonsire, Esq.
NY & PA Injury & Malpractice Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William Street
Elmira, New York 14902-1338
csonsire@zifflaw.com
Office: 607.733.8866
Toll-Free: 800.ZIFFLAW (943.3529)
Web:zifflaw.com
Blog: NYInjuryLawBlog.com


UPDATE: More Elmira Pedestrian Accidents …. It’s Time for Drivers to Wake Up and Watch Out for Walkers and Bicyclists

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Two accidents involving pedestrians in the last 24 hours in Elmira serve as a stark reminder of the dangers facing pedestrians from inattentive or distracted drivers!

First, a mother and her 1-year-old child were injured, then a 17-year-old girl was struck 45 minutes later!

In the Elmira/Corning area where I live, there seems to be a growing trend of cars and trucks hitting pedestrians and bicyclists. I think this is a combination of more walkers/bikers and more cars/trucks sharing the roads together with a huge increase in the number of distracted drivers on the road.

These drivers are distracted by phones, radios, texting — or they are simply not paying attention.

In both Elmira pedestrian injury cases, the pedestrians were crossing the four-lane Clemens Center Parkway, which is a nightmare for pedestrians because they have to move quickly to get across safely before the light changes.

How many times have we seen pedestrians stranded unsafely in the middle of an intersection, waiting for the light to change again? This problem is especially obvious on a road like the Clemens Center Parkway, where the road is four lanes wide and there is a higher speed limit.

BUT REMEMBER:  NY LAW REQUIRES A MOTOR VEHICLE TO YIELD TO A PEDESTRIAN!  So regardless of the color of the light, if you see a pedestrian on the road, follow the law and give them a safe distance.

In one of the accidents, a mother and her 1-year-old child in a stroller were struck. They suffered minor injuries, police said.

According to news reports, the first accident occurred at about 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Clemens Center Parkway and East Fifth Street, Elmira, NY. The mother and child were transported to Arnot Ogden Medical Center and the driver of the pickup truck accused of striking them, Clayton Stevens of Lowman, was charged with Failing to Yield and Driving with a Suspended License.

A 17-year-old girl was hospitalized with internal injuries and possible broken bones after a second accident 45 minutes later involving a pedestrian at the Clemens Center Parkway and South Avenue on Elmira’s Southside. She is being treated at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre. Police said the investigation continues.

See the news reports from WETM-TV and the Star-Gazette.

Remember the 17-year-old girl, and the mother and her 1-year-old child, the next time you’re driving on Clemens Center Parkway and SLOW DOWN. As you approach intersections, even if you have a green light, scan both sides of the road for pedestrians. Remember there may be people still trying to cross the road!

Finally, FOCUS ON THE ROAD — not your text messages or your missed phone calls or talk radio or talking with your passengers.

Someone else’s life may depend on you paying attention to the road!

Thanks for reading.

Thanks, Jim

_________________________________

James B. Reed
NY & PA Injury & Malpractice Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com
Office: (607)733-8866
Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)
Web: www.zifflaw.com
Blogs: NYInjuryLawBlog.com and
NYBikeAccidentBlog.com

 


Maps Of Road Fatalities A Reminder Of Toll Of Distracted Driving, Says NY and PA Accident Lawyer

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Check out where fatal accidents have occurred in your community in recent years.

A United Kingdom transportation company has created a website that allows anyone to track road fatalities in the United States by location, including in Elmira, Corning and the Twin Tiers.

You can find the exact scene of an accident that led to a death between 2001 and 2009. I drilled down to the local fatalities in Elmira, Horseheads, and Corning and learned that I handled a large number of the wrongful death cases displayed on the local map.

I have worked on many cases in the last 26 years, and each of the little dots is a reminder of what I know to be devastated family and friends. … The 14-year-old cyclist mowed down by a hit-and-run driver, the elderly pedestrian hit by a driver who admitted she was busy adjusting her radio and on and on ….

It’s very unsettling and sad.

But it’s important that everyone take a look at the map of their community. Notice where people died when you look at the map of Chemung County — Lower Maple Avenue in Elmira, County Route 64 in Big Flats, Interstate 86 and the Miracle Mile (Corning Road) in Horseheads. Look at the grouping of fatalities, on I-86, Route 352 and Route 64. Those are high-traffic areas where everyone should be their most vigilant. Those should be no-distraction zones, and that means turning the radio or CD down, too!

Some of the fatalities were pedestrians, some were drivers or their passengers, and some were on motorcycles or bikes. Yes, it’s important to know where the most dangerous spots are in Watkins Glen and Southport and Pine City, then south to Towanda, Sayre and Athens, Wellsboro and Mansfield.

But there is a larger lesson here.

The maps serve as a stark reminder to all of us to SLOW DOWN and PAY ATTENTION TO THE ROAD. Shut off the cell phone. Cut down the chatter. Be vigilant. Live in the present.

Respect the lives of others, and be mindful of the dangers around you. Distracted driving kills. Next time you’re on the road, think of the people lost in accidents on that map.

Please have a safe and joyous holiday season free of heartbreaking accidents.

Thanks for reading.

Thanks, Jim

_________________________________

James B. Reed
NY & PA Injury & Malpractice Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
Mail to: jreed@zifflaw.com
Office: (607)733-8866
Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)
Web: www.zifflaw.com
Blogs: NYInjuryLawBlog.com and
NYBikeAccidentBlog.com