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IDOT Reminds Drivers Of Work Zone Safety

by on April 24, 2012 in Accident, car accident, distracted driving, drunk driving, IDOT, texting while driving

This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week. The Illinois Department of Transportation along with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Illinois State Police, Local Laborers Union, Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association and others are participating in the awareness week in an effort to help reduce traffic-related crashes, injuries and fatalities in work zones.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation press release, speed and inattentiveness are the major contributing factors to work zone crashes. The coalition is working to remind drivers that when construction conditions are present, it is imperative to reduce speeds for the safety of all the workers as well as other drivers.

With lane reductions, lane closures, drop offs and heavy equipment moving next to traffic, if speeds are not reduced, the chance of having an accident greatly increases.

IDOT reminded drivers it is illegal to use a hand-held wireless device while operating a vehicle in a construction zone or operating any wireless device while operating a motor vehicle in Illinois is illegal.

IDOT said on average, there are more than 7,000 motor vehicle crashes in work zones yearly. Last year, 24 people were killed in work zone crashes. Twenty one of those killed were drivers or passengers, two were workers and one was a pedestrian.

Speeding in a work zone can result in a fine of $375 for first-time offenders and $1,000 for second-time offenders with a driver’s license suspension for up to 90 days. If a driver hits a worker, they face up to a $10,000 fine along with up to 14 years in prison.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a work zone crash, you may want to discuss your case with a Chicago car accident attorney who can help you decide your next step. Call the Law Office of Dwyer & McDevitt today for a free, initial consultation.

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NHTSA Recommends Regulating Use Of Distracting Electronics

by on March 21, 2012 in Accident, accidental death, cell phone ban, distracted driving, NHTSA, texting while driving

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is defending it’s proposal that automakers block drivers from using their GPS devices or Web searches while in motion.

According to the agency, 3,000 people died in distracted driving crashes last year, even though the data showed the most common distraction was other passengers and reaching for an item. Only three percent of those killed included distraction by an electronic device.

The proposal was posed in February, but some opponents of stricter regulation argue that locking a person out of the car devices would only encourage them to turn to their cellular phones more, in turn causing a higher rate of distraction than is seen currently.

If these guidelines are implemented, a driver would be prevented from sending or receiving text messages, browsing the Internet, tweeting or posting status updates, entering addresses into navigation systems as well as additional activities.

Studies have shown that even handheld devices don’t necessarily reduce the risk of a serious accident.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured by a distracted driver, it is imperative to speak to an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney immediately for a free consultation to review your case. Call us today.

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NTSB Recommends Full Ban On Cell Phones While Driving

by on December 13, 2011 in Accident, car accident, cell phone ban, National Transportation and Safety Board, NTSB, texting ban, texting while driving

A federal board meant to overlook safety on roadways across the country made an unprecedented recommendation Tuesday morning that all states should ban the use of non-emergency cellular devices of any type by all drivers.

The only exception was those designed to assist drivers, such as GPS devices.

This comes after the NTSB reviewed a multi-vehicle crash in Grays Summit, Mo. that occurred in August 2010 on Interstate 44. The accident involved two passenger vehicles and two school buses and left two people dead and 38 people injured.

Cell phone records of one of the drivers showed frequent text activity via cell phone and led the board to conclude that driver was likely distracted by texting at the time of the accident. Eleven text messages were sent or received in eleven minutes by the driver just prior to the accident. The driver was killed in the crash.

According to officials, the 19-year-old driver of the pickup crashed into the back of a tractor trailer. His truck was then rear-ended by a school bus, which was then rear-ended by another school bus.

If you or your loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you may have the basis for a personal injury case. Contact the Chicago auto accident attorneys at Dwyer & McDevitt, Ltd. today and we can help lay out your options.

NTSB Meeting Summary >>

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New PSA To Warn Teens Of Texting While Driving

by on November 29, 2011 in Accident, accidental death, car accident, teen driving, texting while driving

A new public service announcement geared toward teens and texting while driving is set to run in time for the holidays.

The United States Department of Transportation revealed the campaign “OMG,” Monday to help spread the message that texting while driving is not only dangerous, but can be deadly as well.

Two versions of the PSA are set to run. One will run in Regal movie theaters across the country, while a more somber one will run on 12,000 gas pump screens near busy roadways.

According to the government site, distraction.gov 5,474 people were killed in 2009 in crashes where a driver was distracted and nearly 50,000 were injured. Also, in June 2011, more than 196 billion text messages were sent, which was up nearly 50 percent in two years.

Research has found that sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field, blind.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured, or your loved one has been killed by a texting or otherwise distracted driver, our lawyers may be able to assist you. Contact the Chicago car accident attorneys at the law office of Dwyer & McDevitt, LLC today for your free, initial consultation.

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