St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Say goodbye to 2011 and give a big, welcoming hello to 2012. It's a New Year and it's time to start it off right. Let's all start off by making a New Year's resolution to be a better driver.

One of the most beneficial New Year's resolutions that a resident can make is to curb the distractions at the wheel. You may think that this is a resolution that only our young drivers should agree too, but you'd be surprised. According to St. Louis Today, more than half of all drivers are distracted by the use of a cell phone or a text messaging device.

Distraction-related car accidents in Missouri are an all too common occurrence that are unnecessary and completely preventable.

Our St. Louis car accident attorneys understand that a majority of drivers feel that talking on a cell phone or using a text message device while driving is extremely dangerous, yet most drivers still engage in the behavior. We're asking drivers to make one of their New Year's resolution to curb the distractions while operating a motor vehicle. It's a simple resolution and could end up saving lives on our Missouri roadways.

To help to get drivers to prevent distractions, Missouri state Representative Don Wells, R-Cabool and Missouri state Sen. Robin Wright-Jones, D-St. Louis, are both sponsoring bills in the upcoming sessions that could potentially extend Missouri's statewide ban to affect drivers of all ages from using text messaging devices. Current law only targets drivers that are under the age of 22. All drivers are still allowed to talk on cell phones at the wheel.

According to a recent AAA study:

-Drivers ages 18- to 24-years-old are most likely to text message behind the wheel.

-Roughly 10 percent of drivers ages 45- to 54-years-old text message while driving.

Missouri's current text message ban on drivers may be tough to enforce. During the first 25 months that the law was enforced, there were less than 130 tickets issued to drivers.

"We need to get back to the original premise of driving," said National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Deborah Hersman. "Keep your eyes on the road. You cannot do that if you are texting. It's impossible."

We're asking all drivers to be responsible at the wheel. By this we mean putting down the distractions and focusing on the roadway. Safer roadways start with you.

And it's not just our law firm that's pushing for safer roads. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is also pushing for distraction-free roadways through its anti-texting while driving campaign. State Patrol officers ask motorists to put down the cell phones to help make our roadways safer.

"Inattention is a leading cause of traffic crashes," said Colonel Replogle. "If you're focused on sending a text message, then you aren't paying attention to your driving."

Col. Replogle asks that drivers of all ages get in the spirit of Missouri's current law, only banning drivers under the age of 22 from texting, and to willingly curb distractions.

In 2009, there were nearly 1,800 car accidents involving cell phone-using drivers in the state of Missouri.

Continue reading "Our St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers Make Resolutions to Reduce Risks of Distraction-Related Accidents" »

As we are in the heart of the holiday season, Missouri will not only have to worry about hectic traffic but the dangers of winter weather conditions as well. During this time, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) would like to remind drivers to be cautious on our roadways. Even the smallest amount of snow can cause fatal car accidents in St. Louis and elsewhere if drivers aren't careful.

"We encourage drivers to slow down and to steer and brake gently in snowy areas," said Beth Wright, MoDOT state maintenance engineer. "Be certain to allow plenty of distance between your vehicle and those ahead of you."

Our St. Louis car accident attorneys would like to remind drivers to stay at least 100 feet away from slow plows that are out and about clearing the roadways, spreading salt and performing other duties to help clear the way for better travel conditions. Workers with MoDOT will be out at the first sight of snow working to clear the busiest highways of the state. Drivers are urged to be extremely cautious when driving near hills, curves in the roadways and bridges as cars can lose traction easily in these areas.

Drivers are also asked to stay informed with the latest road condition updates throughout the state by visiting Missouri Department of Transportation's website for its Traveler Information Map.

"One click on the map and you can see what's happening on the roads and determine your plan of action," Wright said.

Being aware of weather conditions can help you to avoid a potentially fatal car accident, which is proven to be some of the most dangerous times on our roadways. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), more than 285 people are expected to die as the result of car accidents during the Christmas holiday period. This period is defined by officials as the time from 6 p.m. on December 23rd to 11:59 p.m. on December 26th. Traffic accidents during this time are expected to injure an additional 28,500 people.

The NSC also predicts that another 295 people will die as the result of car accidents during the New Year's holiday period. This period is defined by officials as the time from 6 p.m. on December 30th to 11:59 p.m. on January 2nd. Traffic accidents during this time are expected to injure an additional 29,500 people.

During the holiday season, officers throughout the state will be on the hunt for dangerous drivers on our roadways. Please be cautious, alert and responsible at the wheel to not only avoid a costly traffic citation, but to avoid a potentially fatal accident.

"It's about safety," said MoDOT's Jan Skouby. "Any steps that can be taken to reduce fatalities is something MoDOT will support in any way we can."

Continue reading "Boost in Traffic Over Holiday Week Brings Risks for Car Accidents in Missouri" »

New accident statistics have been released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Statistics show that more than 800 people died in car accidents in St. Louis and elsewhere throughout the state in 2010. While this is a small decrease in the total number traffic accident fatalities from 2009, there is still much more that needs to be done to make our roadways safe for everyone.

According to the newly released report, about 33,000 people died in car accidents in 2010 across the United States. While this is a decrease in the total number of traffic fatalities from 2009 to 2010, there were a few accident categories that experienced an increase, including fatalities among motorcyclists, large truck occupants, bicyclists and pedestrians.

St. Louis car accident attorneys understand that while the total number of 2010 traffic fatalities did in fact decrease from the 2009 totals, the number of accidents started to increase during the last part of the year. As the economy continues to recover, drivers will start driving even more, which will increase our risk for a traffic accident. Despite the reported decrease, drivers are asked to remain cautious and alert behind the wheel to avoid a potentially fatal collision.

Transportation officials point out that the 2010 totals are the lowest they've been since 1949. Again, while this should be positive news, the fact that accidents are increasing is alarming for transportation officials and for motorists nationwide.

"While we have more work to do to continue to protect American motorists, these numbers show we're making historic progress when it comes to improving safety on our nation's roadways," said U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary LaHood.

To help get a better look into accident trends in the U.S., the NHTSA has launched two new measures that are used to better target the most common accidents we see on our roadways. These two new measured include the "distraction-affected crashes" and "alcohol-related crashes." Distraction-related accidents took the lives of nearly 3,100 people in 2010, while alcohol-related accidents will account for about a third of all fatal accidents.

Key Findings of the 2010 Motor Vehicle Crashes Overview:

-Nearly 33,000 people died in traffic accidents.

-Nearly 2.25 million people were injured in traffic accidents.

-Fatal alcohol-related car accidents involving van drivers actually increased.

-The number of fatalities among vehicle occupants who were retained at the time of an accident experienced an increased.

-There were twenty states that experienced an increase in the total number of accidents.

-Fatalities among motorcyclists over the age of 50 increased, while the number of fatalities among riders under the age of 50 actually decreased.

-Accidents in urban areas increased significantly, while the number of rural-area accidents decreased slightly.

Drivers are asked to remain cautious and alert on our roadways. A significant number of these accidents are in fact preventable with responsible driving habits. Be safe and enjoy the remainder of the year.

Continue reading "NHTSA's Newly Released Data Illustrated Risks of Car Accidents in St. Louis, Nation" »

December is a popular time to gather with friends and family and to celebrate the holiday season, but it's also a deadly time on Missouri roadways. Recently, dozens of Highway Patrol Troopers and the families of drunk-driving accident victims launched the new "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign.

In 2010, there were more than 210 fatalities and nearly 900 injuries resulting from alcohol-related car accidents in St. Louis and elsewhere throughout the state, according to Connect Mid Missouri. Just between Thanksgiving and Christmas of 2010, there were nearly 70 fatalities that resulted from traffic accidents in our state. Twenty of these fatalities were the result of alcohol-related accidents. There were more than 4,600 injured on our roadways during this time as well, nearly 325 were related to alcohol-related accidents.

"We are stuck back in the day when our children were taken from us and the only way we can make any sense of it and be able to move forward is to stop this and help prevent this," said Pam Huggins, the mother of an accident victim and who is participating in the new campaign. The campaign will be sharing the stories of family members and friends of those who were killed in alcohol-related accidents. Troopers recently gathered at the state's capitol saying that they were going to increase enforcement efforts to bust drunk drivers and to enforce the state's laws.

Our St. Louis car accident attorneys understand that your risks for being involved in a drunk-driving traffic accident are drastically increased during the last quarter of the year. Friends, families and tourists travel all throughout the state to attend holiday celebrations. Many of these gatherings serve alcohol and unfortunately, many drivers get behind the wheel after having too much to drunk. Drivers are urged to be cautious on our roadways and remain sober to avoid a potentially fatal accident during the holidays.

According to Leanna Depue, the Highway Safety Director, the decision to drink and drive is the wrong one. Troopers statewide will be out during the holiday season and will be nabbing intoxicated drivers on our roadways.

Depue offers these safety tips to help avoid a run in with the law or a fatal car accident:

-Go out and celebrate with a plan, a plan on how to get home safely.

-Make sure that you always have a designated driver.

-Call a cab if you're drinking and looking to get home.

-Stay at a friend's house if you can't get a safe ride.

-Get a hotel room if you cannot find a safe place to stay.

-If you're hosting a party, remember to offer nonalcoholic beverages as well.

The state's highway patrol will be conducting its first sobriety checkpoints from the 5th of December to the 12th.

"Our message is simple. No matter what you drive - a passenger car, pickup truck, sport utility vehicle or motorcycle - if we catch you driving impaired, we will arrest you," said Colonel Ronald Replogle, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Continue reading "Officers Increase Patrols to Reduce Risks of Alcohol-Related Car Accidents in Missouri through Holidays" »

There were more than 1,500,000 reports of distracted driving-related car accidents in St. Louis and elsewhere in 2009. To help reduce the risks of these types of accidents, the U.S. Department of Transportation has updated its "Faces of Distracted Driving" campaign. The government agency is adding even more stories to the campaign to remind drivers to be cautious and alert on our roadways during the upcoming holiday season. Distractions contribute to far too many fatal accidents every year.

According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the distracted driving campaign was launched in November 2010 and has been viewed more than 100,000 times. The campaign offers real-life stories through a video series from families who have lost a loved one because of the carelessness of a distracted driver.

Our St. Louis car accident attorneys understand that distracted driving contributes to about 20 percent of all accidents on U.S. roadways. These types of accidents took the lives of more than 5,400 people in the United States in 2009. These accidents injured nearly 500,000 more. Nearly 1,000 of the fatalities were the result of an accident involving a cell phone-using driver. Although drivers under the age of 20 are most likely to be involved in a distracted driving-related traffic accident, drivers of all ages are guilty of the irresponsible behavior.

Every day, motorists are killed on our roadways because of distracted drivers. LaHood reminds motorists that no text message or phone call is worth the risks. Too many lives are lost because of needless distractions.

"I thank all of the families of distracted driving victims who have bravely chosen to share their stories of loss with the world," said LaHood.

Drivers who use a cell phone behind the wheel are four times more likely to be involved in an accident. As a matter of fact, using a cell phone gives a driver the same reaction time as someone who is legally drunk.

Missouri is one of the few states left that has no restriction on drivers and cell phone use. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, the only restriction that is placed on drivers is that those who are under the age of 21 are not allowed to text while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Everyone else is free to do as they wish.

While distracted driving is oftentimes used to describe making phone calls and text messaging behind the wheel, it can also refer to a number of other activities, including messing with the radio, using a GPS, applying makeup, talking to other passengers, eating, smoking, drinking, grooming, reading, etc.

Drivers are asked to make responsible decisions behind the wheel to curb the distractions. By practicing alert and focused driving, we can all help to save lives on our roadways. Driving requires your undivided focus and attention.

Continue reading "DOT Campaign Shares Stories of Fatal Distracted-Driving Car Accidents in St. Louis and Elsewhere" »

Drowsy drivers contribute to one out of every six fatal car accidents in St. Louis and elsewhere. To help prevent these types of accidents, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has joined forces with the National Sleep Foundation to help educate drivers with the new Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. This campaign has been taking place all this week and ends Saturday. During this time, the two organizations and other safe-driving advocates around the country have been sharing tips and giving information about preventing this dangerous driving habit.

According to a recent study from AAA, about a third of drivers confessed to having driven while drowsy in the last month. This statistic is odd because more than 95 percent of surveyed drivers reported that they felt like this driving behavior was completely unacceptable. Maybe these drivers have a "do as I say, not as I do" attitude, meaning maybe they expect other drivers to be cautious on the roadway. Perhaps these types of drivers feel indestructible on the road because their driving skills are "advanced."

According to St. John's Health System, drowsy driving contributes to more than 1,500 traffic fatalities every year. More than 70,000 people are injured in accidents with sleepy drivers. If you total it all up, drowsy drivers cause more than 100,000 vehicle accidents each year.

Our St. Louis car accident lawyers understand that while everyone is at risk for getting sleepy behind the wheel, there is one age group in particular that is most likely to experience fatigue while driving. Male drivers age 16 to 24 experience more of drowsy driving accidents that any other age group. Still, drowsy driving is causing too many serious accidents among all age groups.

"Many don't realize that driving while drowsy is also very dangerous. If you're so tired that you can hardly keep your eyes open, you could fall asleep for just a few seconds and not realize it," says David Cloud, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation.

When drivers are sleepy behind the wheel, their driving abilities are hindered. Sleepiness can affect a driver's reaction time, vision, judgment time and their ability to process information. As a matter of fact, a person who has been awake for 20 consecutive hours has the same reaction time as someone who is legally drunk.

Another side effect of being sleepy behind the wheel is that drivers can fall into small periods of micro-sleep. During this time, a driver can fall asleep for 3- or 4-second time frames without ever knowing it.

You may be driving drowsy if:

-You have difficulty focusing.

-You're blinking excessively or rubbing your eyes.

-You yawn a lot.

-You keep daydreaming.

-You feel restless.

-You feel irritable.

-You're missing your exit, turns or traffic signs.

-You're swerving in and out of lanes.

-You can't remember the last few miles driven.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you're urged to pull over in a safe area and take a break from driving. Take a nap or get out and stretch, walk or run around. The most common and most dangerous mistake that a driver can make is attempting to power through any of these symptoms.

Continue reading "St. John's Health System Supports Drowsy Driving Prevention Week to Help Curb Car Accidents in Missouri" »

A 2012 Ford Focus could be yours if you join the fight against distracted driving-related car accidents in St. Louis and elsewhere throughout Missouri. The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety recently announced that it will be teaming up with Joe Machens Ford and KRCG-TV for this year's "Focus on the Road" safety campaign.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), you can enter the drawing by visiting the "Focus on the Road MO" Facebook page before 11 p.m. on Dec. 14. All drivers licensed in Missouri are eligible to enter the contest, however employees and family members of MoDOT, Joe Machens and KRCG-TV are ineligible. Thirteen finalists will be announced on Dec. 16, and each will receive a random car key three days later. One of those keys will start the Ford Focus. The contestant who holds that key will drive away in his or her new car!

Our St. Louis car accident attorneys understand the importance of distracted-driving campaigns. More and more accidents are being caused by distracted drivers. Every day, there are some 8,000 traffic accidents in the United States. Statistics show that nearly 5,500 people were killed in distracted driving-related accidents in 2009.

Contrary to popular belief, distracted driving involves more than just talking on a cell phone behind the wheel. It can also mean eating, smoking, applying makeup, playing with a map or GPS system, talking with passengers, messing with the radio and sending text messages. Keeping our attention on the road is ultimately a lot more important than any of those diversions. Plus, with the holiday season approaching, we'll have more and more drivers on our roadways.

"The most important task when you are behind the wheel is staying focused on driving safely," said MoDOT Highway Safety Director Leanna Depue.

Depue is hoping that the appeal of a new car will help to get drivers to curb distractions when they're behind the wheel, especially among teen drivers. It only takes a few seconds to dial a phone number or to send a text, but during that time a car can have traveled hundreds of feet.

Tips from MoDOT to help you stay focused behind the wheel:

-Never text while driving. This means no checking e-mails either!

-Turn off your cell phone or put it on silent before you get into your car.

-Create a voice mail message to alert callers that you can't answer because you are driving.

-Pull your car over and stop if you have to pick up or make a call. This includes sending and receiving text messages.

-Ask passengers to make a call for you if needed.

-Know Missouri's state laws. Texting while driving on our roadways can earn you a $200 fine if you're 21 or younger.

-Look at maps and GPS devices before you start to drive.

-Make sure that children and pets are properly restrained before hitting the gas.

-Focus on driving!

Continue reading "Chance to Win a New Car for Raising Awareness of Distracted Driving Accidents in Missouri" »

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, a teen driver was recently killed in a car accident in St. Louis County. The accident happened when the teen driver slammed his vehicle into the back of a tractor-trailer on Highway 67. STL Today reports that the teen collided with the trailer when it was slowing to take a left-hand turn. The young driver was taken to Alton Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Our St. Louis, MO car accident attorneys understand the risks that young drivers face. Many of these individuals are handed an unrestricted license before gaining adequate driving experience. For this reason, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has conducted an extensive study into the risks of teen drivers and released its findings just in time to coincide with National Teen Driver Safety Week. Parents are asked to review this information and share it with the young driver in their life. Supervised driving and strict driving rules may be some of the most beneficial things we can do to help save our young drivers.

Car accidents continue to be the number one cause of death for teens in the U.S. According to AAA, teens are more likely to die in an accident during their first 30 days than they are during their first year of unrestricted driving. They're also twice as likely to get into an accident during these 30 days as during their first two years of unrestricted driving.

To gather this type of information, the Foundation installed cameras into the cars of teen drivers in North Carolina and analyzed hours and hours of footage. Researchers found that nearly 70 percent of all of the accidents were caused by three common mistakes: speeding, failing to yield and driver inattention. The study illustrated that the most common accident scenario witnessed in the first few months of unrestricted driving was accidents that involved left-hand turns.

Researchers also concluded that as teens gained more driving experience, their risks for traffic accidents involving speed gradually decreased.

"We know that young drivers' crash rates decrease quickly as they gain experience," said AAA Foundation President and CEO Peter Kissinger.

With all of the information that AAA collected, the best advice to parents is to continue to ride along with young drivers long after they've received an unrestricted license. Parents and guardians may be some of the most influential people in a teen driver's career. Keep safe driving habits as a frequent topic of conversation within your household, and consider creating and enacting your own parent-teen driving contract to help create and enforce safe driving rules.

That's the theme of this year's National Teen Driver Safety Week -- parent involvement. According to Teen Driver Source, parents should at least put in at least 50 hours of supervised driving time into the learning process of their teen to help him or her to learn how to handle dangers on our roadways. A good driver comes from a good supervising passenger. Your teen's learning process is the perfect time to instill good driving habits.

Continue reading "National Teen Driver Safety Week and AAA Work to Reduce Risks of Teen Car Accidents in Missouri, Nation" »

A recent deer-car accident in Hannibal injured another motorist. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the 18-year-old driver was heading west on Paris Gravel Road when he spotted a deer, swerved to avoid contact and was sent off the left side of the road. The vehicle ran over a road sign, was thrown into a ditch, flipped over and came to rest upside down, according to the Quincy Herald-Whig.

Both the Hannibal Rural Fire Department and the Marion County Sheriff's Office reported to the scene of the accident. The driver was transported to Hannibal Regional Hospital.

Our St. Louis car accident attorneys would like to point out that it's the beginning of the most dangerous time on our roadways for deer-related car accidents. According to State Farm, animal-related accidents (mostly deer) accounted for more than 1 million accident reports from July of 2010 to June of 2011.

These accidents are hurting drivers in more ways than one -- they often seriously injure motorists and cause costly damage to vehicles. The insurance provider reports that this type of accident typically costs about $3,000. Injury accidents can be much more serious and may even be fatal, particularly in cases when an accident occurs as a vehicles is attempting to swerve to miss a deer.

October to November see the most deer strikes each year -- the next six weeks are deadliest.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, these types of accidents cost approximately $4.5 billion in 2009. Nearly $4 billion went to repair vehicle-related damage while the other $1 billion was handed over to pay for medical treatments and other out-of-pocket costs.

"Almost all of the damage is front-end related, mostly radiators, grills, hoods, front fenders," said Current River Ford manager Chuck Aldrich.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that there were nearly 3,500 car-deer accidents reported in 2010. In these accidents, two people were killed and nearly 400 were injured.

Because recent traffic trends suggest we'll see an increased number of these accidents in the upcoming months, Missouri state troopers would like to urge drivers to be on the lookout for deer on our roadways, especially during dawn and dusk.

According to state data, there was a steep increase in the number of deer-related accidents in October, November and December of 2010. In these three months, there were nearly 2,000 accidents. Only about 1,600 were reported from January from September of the same year.

Missouri was recently ranked as the 19th most dangerous state in the U.S. for deer-car accidents, according to ABC 8.

To avoid a car accident with a deer:

-Be extra cautious when driving when it's dark out. A majority of these accidents occur during dawn and dusk.

-Be careful if you see a deer by the roadway as they're likely to travel in groups.

-Drive slow enough so that you'd be able to stop or safely avoid an accident with a deer.

-Never swerve into other lanes of traffic if you come in close contact with a deer.

-Keep your headlights on to make deer more visible, especially with the reflection of the light in their eyes. Use your high beams when no other vehicles are near.

Continue reading "Deer-Car Accident in St. Louis Risks Drastically Increase Through Remainder of Year" »

The state of Missouri currently has no law restricting the use of cell phones or text messaging devices for any driver over the age of 20. There is only one law that prohibits drivers who are 21-years-old or younger from texting while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. The lack of laws regulating these distracting behaviors may be one of the main reasons for fatal car accidents in St. Louis and elsewhere.

This could soon change if the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) gets its way. The Board recently made a recommendation to ban commercial truck drivers from using hands-free and hand-held mobile phones while operating a large commercial vehicle, according to CNN.

Our St. Louis car accident lawyers understand that this is the most extensive recommendation that the NTSB had made thus far. In recent years, the NTSB proposed regulations for banning novice drivers and bus drivers from using a cell phone. The new regulation is different because it covers the use of all phones for those who are operating a commercial vehicle. We would like to point out that this recommendation is not yet a law. The recommendation has been passed on to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The FMCSA isn't new to all of this. It previously prohibited all commercial truckers from using text-messaging devices while driving. If these drivers are busted texting at the wheel, they can potentially face $2,750 in fines.

The recent recommendation comes after yet another fatal trucking accident that was believed to have been caused by a distracted trucker. The accident happened in Kentucky and took the lives of 11 people.

After investigating the accident, officials reported that the driver's phone records showed that he made nearly 5 cell phone calls just seconds before the accident. It happened when the trucker drove the large vehicle over a 60-foot medical, over a barrier system and into the path of oncoming traffic. The truck crashed head on into a van that was carrying 12 people. Ten of the van passengers and the trucker died.

"Changing behavior can start right now, for drivers of big rigs, but also for the rest of us," said Safety board Chairman Deborah Hersman. "When you are at the wheel, driving safely should be your only focus."

The NTSB reports that its research proves that phone hands-free and hand-held devices serve as a dangerous distraction to all drivers.

If this proposal is taken into law, then all drivers that are driving in a truck under a commercial driver's license will be prohibited from using the devices. All in-state and interstate drivers who use that type of license will be covered as well.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that there were about 4,000 traffic fatalities in the U.S. in 2009 that were the result of an accident that involved a large truck. Many of these accidents and fatalities could have been prevented if there were stricter laws governing distractions for these drivers.

Continue reading "More Regulations Proposed to Help Reduce Risks of Distracted Driving-Related Car Accident in St. Louis, Nation" »

In Missouri, a teen can start driving on our roadways at the age of 15 with a supervising, licensed driver over the age of 21. This is all a part of the state's Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) program.

The GDL program aims to introduce driving scenarios to young drivers through a number of restrictive stages in an effort to reduce their risks of a car accident in Missouri. The problem with this system, according to CNN Health, is that new studies are proving that it's creating higher risks of accidents for 18-year-old, fully licensed drivers.

Our St. Louis teen car accident attorneys understand that new data, collected from 1986 to 2007, reveals that 16-year-olds face 26 percent fewer accidents in states with strict GDL programs. The problem with this is that 18-year-old drivers in these same areas experience a 12 percent increase in the number of fatal accidents compared to those with less strict programs.

"Right now, we're not getting the net effect across all teens that we're hoping for," says Scott V. Masten, Ph.D., an author of the recent study that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

In Missouri, there were nearly 200 teenagers killed in car accidents in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Researchers believe that this increase among our 18-year-old drivers has to do with the restrictions that were placed on them when they were younger drivers. These restrictions, researchers believe, kept the young drivers from obtaining a thorough and realistic driving experience.

There are GDL programs in every state, but restriction vary from one to another.

Missouri GDL program:

-Instructional Permit, 15-years-old: Under this license, a driver must complete a written driver's exam at a Missouri State Highway Patrol exam station. Once passed, a teen can then drive with a parent, a legal guardian or a certified instructor through a Federal Residential Job Training Program. Parents are to make sure that their young driver completes at least 40 hours of driving practice with at least 10 of these hours occurring during the nighttime. Seats belts must be worn by all passengers riding with this driver.

-Intermediate License, 16-years-old: To get this license, a driver must have held the instructional permit for at least 6 months. The student must have completed the supervised driving time before obtaining this license. A clean record of alcohol-related offenses must be obtained within the 12 months before this license. A clean record to traffic convictions must also be obtained for 6 months prior. A driver must pass a road sign and vision test. The teen must complete another 40 hours of supervised driving during this stage. For the first 6 months, there can be no more than 1 passenger under the age of 19 in the vehicle at a time.

-Unrestricted License, 18-years-old: The teen must have one-full year free of alcohol-related offenses before applying. All prior requirements must be met. A vision and a road sign recognition test must be passed again.

Regardless of which stage your young driver is in, it is important to keep safe driving habits and skills as a frequent topic of conversation. No driver is ever experienced enough to avoid a car accident. Reiterate the rules of the road and the importance to safe habits to your teen long after they've graduated from the GDL program.

Continue reading "State GDL Program Questioned: Reducing Risks for Car Accidents in Missouri?" »

New temporary rules have been released by the Missouri Department of Transportation regarding farmers; those needing to transport their livestock because of our recent and severe weather conditions are given certain concessions. And more tractors, wagons and grain trucks are expected to be on the road through the fall harvest season.

The permit is only temporary and will expire on December 31st of this year. The Department of Agriculture recently requested that the Missouri Department of Transportation make this change and waive current fees for oversize permits. This change affects trucks with loads of 12 feet, four inches wide that met the weight, length and height requirements.

Missouri farming accident attorneys understand that these changes affect all motorists on our roadways. As farmers will be pushing to transport their livestock and crops before the deadline, motorists will need to be extra cautious for these slow-moving farm vehicles clogging our roadways. Although these vehicles typically travel at low speeds, an unknowing motorist can slam right into one and be seriously injured.

Farm vehicles operate much differently than our passenger vehicles. Motorists are urged to be cautious around farm equipment and to get familiar with the workings of the machinery to avoid an accident with farm machinery in Missouri. Motorists are never to follow too closely behind these slow movers.

The new permit will waive the $64 fee for farmers and will allow them to transport through the evening hours. Farmers are still required to use an oversized load sign that is reflective and to use lights instead of just flags on their vehicles.

"We appreciate MoDOT's continued cooperation and support of Missouri's agriculture industry throughout these severe conditions," said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler.

As a number of roadways are currently undergoing construction efforts, drivers are asked to review the route of their trip and to research road restrictions before venturing out.

This temporary permit comes as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) releases its decision to leave guidance regarding farm machinary state governments. The FMCSA says that it will not be taking the responsibility of imposing new farm equipment regulations on the industry.

The Administration is leaving the enforcement of rules that regulate the use of farm vehicles by farmers, farm employees and their family members to state officials.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood says that the FMCSA has no intention on hindering the efforts of our hardworking farmers, who provide fresh crops and produce to our country and who help fuel our economy.

As farm equipment and vehicles are temporarily free to roam our roadways, motorists are asked to be cautious while traveling during the upcoming farming season.

Continue reading "Increased Risk of Car Accidents in Missouri with More Farm Machinery Clogging Roadways" »

Missouri officials are going to need more than a law on record to stop drivers from texting or from using a cell phone behind the wheel. A recent report, conducted by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), studied more than 350 scientific papers that looked into distracted driving trends and car accidents in Missouri and elsewhere over the last decade.

Our St. Louis car accident attorneys believe this report may be useful to Missouri lawmakers, who have only banned texting for drivers 21-years-old and younger. We currently don't have a state law banning cell phone use either, so if you're over the age of 21 you're allowed to text, update you facebook and even tweet behind the wheel.

"You know, that part isn't really surprising," said Barbara Harsha, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association. "We have known all along that just passing a law by itself isn't going to make a difference."

This theory has been proven time and time again as laws enforcing seat belts and battling drunken driving were backed by highly visible enforcement. Only when enforcement efforts are increased do we see a higher rate of compliance by local drivers.

The GHSA report has been titled "Distracted Driving: What Research Shows and What States Can Do" and is meant to help state decision-makers take the best route of action when they decide to create and enforce texting or cellphone bans.

This information isn't finalized though. There aren't a ton of absolutes regarding this new epidemic.

"Despite all that has been written about driver distraction, there is still a lot that we do not know," Harsha said. "Much of the research is incomplete or contradictory. Clearly, more studies need to be done addressing both the scope of the problem and how to effectively address it."

The GHSA report encourages Missouri police to start keeping more detailed information and records regarding driver distractions.

Aside from enforcing laws that our state already follows, the report suggests that Missouri:

• Use pavement "rumble strips" to alert drivers when they start to drift out of their lane. Luckily, Missouri is one step ahead of this suggestion as we already use these strips.
• Encourage all employers to develop policies and programs that discourage distracted driving on the job and in company vehicles.
• Evaluate distracted driving laws and programs from other states. Looking over how others are doing it will help to provide us with information we can use to create effective countermeasures.
• Enact a texting ban for all drivers.
• Make it illegal for novice drivers to talk on cellphones while driving.

According to Distraction.gov, there were nearly 5,500 people killed on U.S. roadways because of traffic accidents that reported the involvement of a distracted driver in 2009. Another 448,000 people were injured in these accidents. With the proper traffic laws and effective enforcement to back them up, we can help to save lives on our Missouri roadways.

Continue reading "Governors Highway Safety Association Targets Distracted Driving Car Accidents in Missouri" »

A new crash study is looking for volunteers. The Naturalistic Driving Study, the world's largest study of its kind, is looking for 3,100 drivers to participate in a study to collect data by recording driving behavior during crash and near-crash situations, according to Forbes.

Researcher will be using two years of this data to then develop countermeasures intended to save lives before a car accident in Missouri or elsewhere occurs.

"Collision prevention is the central goal of the study" said Ken Campbell, chief program officer overseeing safety for the Strategic Highway Research Program, which is part of the non-profit Transportation Research Board. "And the driver is the key to prevent collision."

Our St. Louis car accident attorneys understand that this type of study may just have the power to stop car accidents before they happen. This study is different, because researchers will be using monitoring equipment to document how drivers interact with a number of traffic conditions and roadway designs. Previous studies have only focused on countermeasures used to protect drivers and passengers after collisions happen. This study is looking at the driver, who is the primary cause of most accidents.

During this two-year study, researchers will install recording equipment into 3,100 vehicles. These cameras will tape forward and rear views and the driver's face and hands. This data will be held in a storage box, which is about the size of a text book, and will be retrieved by researchers every four to six months.

"You can't just look at collisions or near collisions to know what risk factors are. It's that comparison with what the driver is doing when there is not a safety-related event that tells you what the risk factors are," said Dr. Campbell.

Researchers will then use this data to aid the development of safety improvements in a number of safe driving concerns, including road design, cars and driver training programs. The first area of focus in this study will be on accidents at intersections and accidents where the driver runs off the road.

So where is this study being held? The Transportation Research Board is looking for study participants in Buffalo, Seattle, Tampa Bay, Durham, central Pennsylvania and Bloomington. Drivers can either participate for one or two years. They will receive $500 for each year they participate. Participants must have a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and an approved vehicle.

"This study is long overdue and has the potential for providing the most comprehensive look at why highway crashes occur," said Peter Kissinger, president and chief executive of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a nonprofit research and educational organization that provided technical advice for the study. "It is unprecedented in its scope and approach. It will be a wonderful supplement to other ongoing and planned traffic safety research efforts. My only disappointment is that the transportation research community didn't initiate the study several years ago."

Continue reading "New Crash Study Aims to Prevent Car Accidents in Missouri Before they happen" »

The Fourth of July is the number one holiday for alcohol-related fatal car accidents, according to MSN.

Missouri law enforcement, including the Springfield police, will be teaming up with a number of agencies to aim their enforcement efforts towards drunk drivers over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to Ozarks First. Officers will be setting up a number of DWI checkpoints throughout the area from July 1st to July 4th to bust those who drive under the influence of alcohol.

Police are joining forces to help keep motorists safe on our roadways and to reduce your risks of being involved in a car accident in Missouri over the holiday weekend.

Our St. Louis car accident attorneys understand that holidays are a deadly time to be on our roadways. It is estimated every year that hundreds of Americans die because of alcohol-related traffic accidents. This upcoming holiday, Independence Day, has continuously ranked as the top holiday for deadly accidents. It's has even proven to be deadlier than New Year's Day.

"Driving while intoxicated is simply not worth all the consequences," said Captain Ronald S. Johnson, commanding officer of Troop C of the Missouri Highway Patrol. "Our message is simple and unwavering, You Drink and Drive, You Lose."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and 25 years of research, Fourth of July almost always tops the list for the most dangerous holiday on our roadways. Statistics over the past 25 years show that, on average, about 50 percent of all fatal traffic crashes on the Fourth of July were related to alcohol.

Back in 2008, which are the latest statistics available, nearly 500 people died in car accidents during the three-day Independence Day weekend. Out those fatalities, more than 40 percent died as a result of alcohol-impaired driving.

When people think of drunk driving and holidays, they may think of New Year's Day, or late on New Year's Eve. For this reason, a number of motorists stay off the roadway. However, most people don't associate drunk driving with the Fourth of July. And with millions of people expected to be on the roads this Fourth of July weekend, the risk of an accident is real.

"Drunk driving is a major public safety threat that still claims thousands of lives every year," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, in a recent media release. "Many states continue to step up their efforts to get drunk drivers off our roads, but the numbers tell us we have to do more."

These types of accidents can obviously be devastating because of the injuries, or fatalities, involved. But what is equally frustrating is how preventable they are. Please drive safely and designate a driver or stop someone you're with from driving if they are intoxicated. Paying a few dollars for a cab, train or sub ride is worth it to save someone's life.

Continue reading "Fatal Springfield Car Accidents Common on Fourth of July " »