posted on August 27, 2012 by

Fewer PA Traffic Deaths Show the Possibility of Progress

Around the country, a little over 87 percent of employees drive to work, and most of them (77 percent) drive alone, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. While the vast majority of people on the road make it to and from their destination without incident, accidents are a daily occurrence. Although fender benders are most common, fatal crashes and serious injuries are reported each day around the country, leading to heartbreaking results for families.

Despite this bleak reality, there is good news for Pennsylvania residents. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has released the latest statistics regarding highway deaths in 2011. Overall, the state documented 33 fewer deaths than in 2010. This impressive drop made 2011 the least deadly year on the road since the 1940s, thereby proving that with the right education and prevention, highway deaths do not have to be an inevitable tragedy.

PennDOT says in Pennsylvania credited the drop to ongoing safety programs. These programs include improving roads, and increasing police surveillance of speeding or seat belt violations. While these changes have had a marked improvement on safety, it is important to note that further improvements can only come from a change in driving behavior. In fact, according to the DOT, 90 percent of accidents are caused by driver behavior.

This comes as no surprise, especially considering the increased usage of cell phones.

A third of drivers admitted in a HealthyDay Poll to receiving texts while driving. At least 5 percent of drivers talk on their phones while on the road. It has been shown that at least 995 deaths across the country in 2009 were directly related to cell phone usage. This number may be higher since phone usage can be difficult to track. Experts point out that talking on the phone can slow one’s reflexes significantly, and looking down to text can distract a driver for the distance of a football field.

The impact of distracted driving is palpable, especially since the number of fatalities among teenagers defied the statewide reduction, rising from 19 to 29 in 2011. Teenagers are more likely to talk on the phone and text while on the road. In order to reduce these statistics, drivers are encouraged to focus while driving. Common distractions include phones, food, drinks, music devices and GPS systems. A new law went into effect in Pennsylvania on March 8, 2012 to prevent texting while driving, and more stringent laws are expected to follow. The old handheld law in Philadelphia prevented the use of mobile devices while driving, unless a headset or Bluetooth was used. In Philadelphia alone, police had given drivers who disobeyed the law 31,000 citations. In the new law, police can stop drivers it they suspect that drivers are texting, but not if dialing or talking on a phone. It seems to be a bit of a backward step, with many law enforcement officials expressing frustration because it is hard to prove that a driver was actually texting, rather than dialing their phone.

For those who have been in an accident where distracted driving has been a factor, contacting a Personal Injury Attorney in Philadelphia may be the best first step.

After being hit by a distracted driver, the injured victim should call the police and gather the contact information from the other driver and witnesses to the accident. If possible, the victim should take photos of the vehicles, any injuries, and the crash location. In many cases the victim will also need medical attention, and after receiving that, they should call an experienced personal injury attorney in Philadelphia. The attorney may be able to access phone records as proof that the driver was distracted right before the accident occurred. The personal injury attorney may also look at the vehicles and police reports in an effort to prove liability.

Sue McCrossin is a freelance writer working with Stuart A. Carpey, an experienced personal injury attorney Philadelphia, with a proven track record of holding distracted drivers liable for the accidents they cause. To learn more about Philadelphia personal injury lawyers, visit Carpey Law today!

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posted on August 24, 2012 by

The Role of Alcoholics Anonymous in Michigan Drivers License Restoration

Article by Mark Langschied

Before we can answer the question of the role of Alcoholics Anonymous in restoring licenses, it’s helpful first to briefly review the Michigan license restoration process and what you must prove.

You will ultimately have to convince a hearing officer to grant you driving privileges. A hearing is similar to a trial where evidence is submitted and you will be required to testify. Witnesses may also be called to testify.

Your Michigan license attorney must prove that you are never going to drink again. If there’s any doubt in the hearing officer’s mind about this, you will lose. The bar is set high. When considering Michigan license restoration attorneys, I would urge you to get one that focuses on license restoration. Your attorney can help you through each step of the license restoration process.

Now let’s talk about the role of Alcoholics Anonymous in restoring licenses in Michigan.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a structured support group. There’s no doubt that Alcoholics Anonymous helps many individuals successfully overcome significant alcohol problems. The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous provide strategies that individuals can use to effectively deal with their alcohol problems. Further, an AA sponsor can work with the individual to provide additional support. A sponsor will typically help you work the 12 steps.

Hearing officers recognize that Alcoholics Anonymous can be extremely important in providing a support network so that an individual does not start drinking again. Remember, one of the key things that must be proved in order to regain your license is that you are never going to drink again. Because of this, Alcoholics Anonymous can help prove that your alcohol problem is under control and will remain that way in the future. This is why Alcoholics Anonymous can be very helpful to winning your license back.

Before your hearing, you will be required to get a substance abuse evaluation by a qualified substance abuse counselor. The evaluator will determine whether or not you have any alcohol problem such as alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence. One is considered an alcoholic if they are diagnosed as alcohol dependent. A person diagnosed with alcohol abuse is not an alcoholic and therefore, AA may be less important to regaining driving privileges. Conversely, if you have been diagnosed as alcohol dependent, AA may be more important to regaining your license.

Hearing officers also know the difference between simply attending AA and participating. Full participation would involve frequent attendance and step work in coordination with a sponsor. The quality of your involvement can also be important.

When searching for Michigan drivers license restoration attorneys or Michigan drivers license appeal attorneys, I would recommend you find an attorney that specializes in license restoration.

About the Author

Mark Langschied is a Michigan license attorney who handles Michigan license appeal, Michigan OWI, traffic ticket, and license reinstatement cases.

Use and distribution of this article is subject to our Publisher Guidelines whereby the original author’s information and copyright must be included.



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posted on August 21, 2012 by

Florida Graduated Drivers License Guide

Article by Kristin Stancato

The fact is that the crash rate for 16-year-old drivers is 15 times that of those with 4 to 8 years of more driving experience. For this reason, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) developed a graduated driver’s license system.

Graduated licensing is a system that consists of three stages wherein young drivers must meet certain expectations before graduating to the next stage. The purpose of putting young drivers through a staging process is to ensure they are eased into difficult driving situations slowly, as their experience and maturity grow. From a learning permit to full licensure, the teen driver is moved progressively to each stage as they demonstrate responsible driving behavior.

The components and requirements of each licensing stage are determined separately by each state. Not all states have graduated licensing laws, and some that do only have two stages in their system. Florida is one of 13 states that currently has a three-stage graduated licensing system.

Florida’s Graduated Driver’s License program became law in July 1996, and in 1997 alone, Florida saw a 9% reduction in fatalities and injury crashes for teen drivers between 15- and 17-years-old. Thus, the benefits of Florida’s GDL program are obvious.

Florida teen drivers must progress through three licensing stages: Learner’s License, Operational License, and Full License.

To obtain a Learner’s License, the driver must do all of the following:

be at least 15 years old;provide a Social Security Number;show proof of completion of a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course, or a license from another state, county, or jurisdiction;have a legal guardian sign the Parental Consent Form in the presence of the driver license examiner; andpass the required written test covering road rules and signs, a hearing test, and a vision test.The holder of a Learner’s License may not drive alone, regardless of age, and if under 18, must hold the license for 12 months before advancing to the next stage. The driver is restricted from driving after dark for the first three months, and after 10 p.m. from months 4-12.

The next stage of licensing is the Operator’s License. To receive an Operator’s License, the driver must:

be 16- to 17-years-old;have held a Learner’s License for at least 12 months without any traffic convictions;show parent or guardian certification that the driver has had at least 50 hours of experience behind the wheel, 10 of which must have been at night;successfully perform a behind the wheel test in the presence of the driver license examiner.The 12-month requirement above starts over at any point the driver receives a traffic conviction on their record.

Drivers with an Operator’s License, who are 16-years-old, may only drive between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., with two exceptions. If the driver is going to and from work, or has a licensed driver who at least 21-years-old in the front passenger seat, he or she may driver outside the restricted times.

Drivers with an Operator’s License, who are 17-years-old, are restricted from driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., with the two exceptions listed above.

The Full License is the end goal for young drivers. Once a driver reaches age 18, they may apply for a Full License. For those already holding an Operational License, the driving restrictions will merely fall off. No new testing will need to be completed.

18-year-olds who have never held a driver’s license may apply for a Full License as long as they provide:

two forms of identification;a Social Security card, if they have one; andproof they completed a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course.

Therefore, if a young driver adheres to Florida’s zero tolerance for alcohol policy, and keeps their driving record free of any traffic convictions, they will be eligible for a Full Class E Driver’s License at age 18.

About the Author

Lowest Price Traffic School provides DMV approved Florida driver education courses required to obtain a Florida learners permit designed for both teens and their parents.

Use and distribution of this article is subject to our Publisher Guidelines whereby the original author’s information and copyright must be included.

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posted on July 11, 2012 by

PennDOT Seeks Help With Survey

Once again the Pennsylvania DOT is requesting your help to complete their survey on driving and license related matters. You can stay anonymous so they don’t need to know if your driving with a suspended license or forgetting to put on your seat belt!

 

Harrisburg – PennDOT is asking Pennsylvania motorists to help the department of transportation monitor its highway safety efforts by sharing their opinions on traffic safety enforcement and driving behaviors through an online survey available through July 27 at www.JustDrivePA.com.

The 22-question survey focuses on highway safety issues, including seat belts, impaired driving, speeding, license issues, motorcycles and distracted driving. Pennsylvania drivers completing the survey may remain PennDOT driver's license surveyanonymous, but are asked to provide their gender, age and ZIP code.
More than 3,500 people responded to last year’s driver’s license and roadway safety survey. Last year’s notable results included that, in the previous 60 days, nearly 77 percent of respondents had not driven a motor vehicle within two hours after consuming alcoholic beverages. Also, 93 percent of drivers indicated they used a seat belt all or most of the time.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires states like Pennsylvania to conduct this survey annually.

Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews.

Filed Under: Uncategorized
posted on April 8, 2011 by

Blog post number 2

If this works the way I think it will, this post should show up after the first at the top of the page.

If this were to be filled with good license suspended information, then I would be telling you all about license suspended problems and solutions right now.

Filed Under: License
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