March 1, 2010

San Diego Marines Motorcyle Deaths Decline Due to Marine Corps Increased Safety Efforts

The number of local Marines killed while riding motorcycles decreased for the first time in three years. The decrease is the result of new safety classes made available to Marines at Camp Pendleton and Miramar Air Force Base. In particular, the Marines are targeting those who ride sport bikes which are lightweight, powerful and popular with younger riders. The course teaches practical skills and mental training according to Richard Stampp, who works with Camp Fox Professional Services which designed and delivers the new course. The Marines have made the new course more accessible, and riders don't have to wait to get into the course. At both Miramar and Camp Pendleton, riders can enroll very soon after signing up for it. As another means to promote safety, the Marines are encouraging more experienced riders to act as mentors for those with less experience. The mentors hold monthly rides and demonstrate safe riding techniques. Marine leaders are committed to training riders and helping them avoid injury and death.

Source: North County Times.

Walton Law Firm, a North San Diego County law firm, represents accident victims throughout San Diego, Orange and Riverside Counties and has recovered millions of dollars for individuals injured by car accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, uninsured motorist claims, defective products, construction accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bites, insurance disputes, and medical malpractice suits. Call (760) 571-5500 for a free consultation.

July 21, 2009

U.S. Study on Dangers of Cell Phone Use While Driving Suppressed

In 2003, researchers at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposed a long-term study to examine the risks posed by drivers who use cell phones while driving. Then, as know, it was believed that distractions caused by such use represented a serious safety risk to drivers on American roadways.

But because of politics, the study was never undertaken. According to reports, the NHTSA chose not to make public copious amount of research data for fear of angering members of Congress.

After discovering this fact, two consumer groups filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit to obtain documents, which will be published on the New York Times website (click here). The researchers estimate that drivers using cell phones account 240,000 in 2003, including 922 fatalities. The research also suggested cell phone users were four times more likely to cause an auto accident than other drivers, and that hands-free devices did not remove the risk of crashes, because it was the conversations that were distracting, not necessarily holding the phone.

According to news reports, the concerns was that the agency would use the information to lobby states to pass laws prohibiting cell phone use in the car, laws strongly opposed by the powerful cell phone industry.

California State Senator Joe Simitian, who tried to pass a hands-free cell phone law from 2001 to 2005 over industry objections, said the research data would have been helpful in moving hands-free legislation forward, “Years went by when lives could have been saved.”

Source: New York Times

The San Diego accident and injury lawyers at Walton Law Firm LLP represent individuals who have been injured in all types of accidents, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, construction accidents, pedestrian accidents, and all other accidents caused by negligence. Call (760) 607-1325 for a free consultation.

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