by Queener Law | Feb 13, 2018 | Auto Accident, Colorado, Kentucky, Tennessee
In reaction to distracted and inattentive driving, Mazda has patented a new driver assistance technology that would engage drivers to make the driving experience more fun. The idea behind the technology is that drivers may become bored while they drive, leading them to glance away from the road on their mobile devices or other electronics. The system would use cameras and sensors to determine when a driver was becoming inattentive and then actively engage the driver in order to draw his or her attention back to the road. Instead of artificial intelligence taking over the car, it would use things like speakers to amplify the engine noise or suggest alternate routes with curvier roads that would require people to keep their eyes on the road.
Mazda’s Driver Assistance Technology
The driver assistance technology that was recently patented by Mazda would encourage drivers to keep their focus on the roads by making the experience more fun. The technology would use cameras and sensory inputs to analyze when drivers were becoming inattentive or distracted by measuring reaction times and other factors. When the system senses that a driver is becoming inattentive, it will give tips to the driver about how to improve his or her driving skills. It might suggest ways to accelerate or to turn so that the driver has a better experience. The systems may also suggest more scenic routes that have curvy roads. This is because driving on these types of roads naturally forces drivers to pay more attention to what they are doing in order to remain safe. The technology also might be used to make the engine sound louder so they might be encouraged to slow down their vehicles.
The technology that has been patented by Mazda is only at the patent stage, and it is unclear whether the company has any plans to develop it. The system is an innovative way to tamp down driver distraction. Messages telling people not to text and drive have had little effect, so new technology that would focus on other aspects of the driving experience might be helpful to reduce driver distraction while increasing driver engagement.
by Queener Law | Jan 22, 2018 | Auto Accident, Tennessee
Economically disadvantaged people are much likelier to be killed in motor vehicle accidents than their more advantaged counterparts due to unsafe roads, inadequate safety features in older cars and hindered access to trauma care. This inequality between disadvantaged and wealthier people has grown over time. The largest decreases in deaths have happened among people who have the highest levels of education while the biggest increases in deaths have happened among people who are older than 25 and who have less than a high school diploma.
Fatalities Among Wealthy People Versus Poor
In a study that was published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers found that motor vehicle fatalities overall fell from 1995 to 2010. However, the poor were much likelier to be the victims of traffic accidents than were people who were wealthier. In 1995, disadvantaged people were 2.4 times likelier to be killed in a traffic accident than people who were wealthier. In 2010, the inequality had increased. Poor people were 4.3 times likelier to die in crashes than people who had more money.
The inequality has also been found in Nashville. From 2008 to 2012, the rate of deaths for pedestrians who lived in areas in which more than 25 percent of the population suffered poverty was 12.6 deaths per 100,000 people. For people who lived in areas with between 15 and 25 percent poverty, the fatality rate for pedestrians was 8.6 deaths per 100,000 people. Nationally, people who lived in areas with less than 15 percent poverty had pedestrian fatality rates of 3.6 per 100,000 people.
The Problem
People who are poor may live in areas with poor road conditions and that have fewer crosswalks, streetlights and other safety features. They are also likelier to own older cars that do not have modern safety features installed in them. Their cars may also be cheaper vehicles that have poor crash test ratings. Finally, poor areas have fewer trauma centers, and poor people may not receive treatment quickly enough after their collisions.
by Queener Law | Jan 16, 2018 | Colorado, Kentucky, Tennessee, Trucking Accident
Following an increase in truck accident fatalities over the past seven years, survivors and safety advocates are urging the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to finalize multiple safety regulations that have been placed on hold. Truck Safety Coalition members attended the nomination hearing of the new administrator of the FMCSA in Oct. 2017. They wanted to draw attention to the importance of a number of safety regulations in the hope that the FMCSA would finalize the rules and begin enforcing them. However, the anti-regulatory environment makes it less likely that the rules will be finalized in the next few years.
Safety Rules at Issue
Despite the push by lobbyists for another delay, the electronic logging device mandate went into effect on Dec. 18 as scheduled. Trucks must now have electronic logging devices installed that track when the trucks are moving. It is thought that the ELD mandate may prevent truck drivers from falsifying their logbooks to get around hours-of-service rules.
Other regulations have not been finalized or implemented, however. A proposed sleep apnea rule that would have required screening for sleep apnea that is similar to what is required of pilots was withdrawn by the FMCSA. Sleep apnea interferes with sleep patterns, causing people who suffer from the condition to feel fatigued. The sleep apnea rule was meant to reduce drowsy and fatigued driving by truck drivers.
Advocates have also been calling for an enhancement in driver training rules to require more hours behind the wheel. The proposed rule that would have required trucks weighing more than 26,000 pounds to have speed limiting devices installed has also not been finalized. The Trump administration is still considering it, and it is uncertain whether or not it will be enacted.
Truck Accident Increases
Truck accidents have increased over the last seven years. In 2016, there were 4.317 people who were killed in accidents involving large trucks. Many of these accidents were caused by some of the issues that the proposed regulations would address. Despite this, it is unlikely that the FMCSA will act to prioritize safety because of the anti-regulatory push in the administration.
by Queener Law | Jan 11, 2018 | Personal Injury, Tennessee
n Tennessee, the number of hit-and-run accident deaths has increased as more people are choosing to ride their bicycles or walk as a means of transportation. Drivers tend to flee the scene when accidents happen at night or in areas in which they are less likely to be caught. It is illegal for drivers to leave the scene of accidents, fail to report accidents, or fail to give aid to the victims. If hit-and-run drivers are caught, they may face severe criminal penalties. The victims of hit-and-run drivers or the families of people who are killed may also hold them accountable for their actions in civil cases.
Hit-and-Run Death Rates
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, deaths in hit-and-run accidents have increased by 62 percent since 2009. In 2016, 2,049 people in the U.S. were killed in hit-and-run accidents, and 68 percent of the deaths involved pedestrians or cyclists. During the same time period, more people are choosing to ride their bicycles or to walk to work.
When Hit-and-Run Accidents Occur
Hit-and-run accidents are likelier to happen at night or in areas where the drivers are less likely to be seen. A greater percentage of the accidents occur between midnight and 4 a.m. and on roads that have lower speed limits. More fatal hit-and-run accidents also happen in places that have a lot of foot traffic.
According to Jake Nelson, AAA’s director of traffic safety advocacy and research, smartphones are playing a significant role in the number of hit-and-run accidents. While Nelson suggests bike lanes and walkways that are protected by barriers as a solution, critics claim that these wreak havoc on parking and travel lanes for drivers.
Drivers who leave the scenes of fatal accidents may face long prison sentences if they are caught. Despite the potential penalties, the number of accidents has still increased. Drivers should make certain to watch for pedestrians on the sides of the roads who might cross. If pedestrians cross the road, drivers should slow down and stop even if the pedestrians aren’t in crosswalks. Drivers should also give cyclists enough room when they pass. Pedestrians and cyclists should watch for cars and take steps to avoid them.
by Queener Law | Jan 8, 2018 | Auto Accident, Tennessee
When a motor vehicle collision occurs in Tennessee, all drivers are required to exchange important information, but some drivers refuse to provide the required information despite the law. The refusal to exchange essential information can be considered a hit-and-run. Victims of car accidents in which the drivers will not exchange their information may be able to enlist the help of law enforcement, an auto accident attorney, or their insurance company to track down the other driver and his or her insurance information.
Why Do Drivers Refuse to Give Information?
Drivers may refuse to provide their information for several reasons. They might not have insurance or a driver’s license. They might also be driving stolen cars or vehicles they didn’t have permission to drive. Some drivers may also already have multiple accidents on their records and withhold information to avoid higher insurance premiums. Finally, some drivers may be reticent to provide their information because they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. No matter what the reason might be, it is best for people to avoid getting into a confrontation with the drivers and instead to take action to protect themselves.
What to Do When Drivers Refuse
When drivers refuse to provide their information, people should call the police. They should also remain calm and gather as much evidence as they can. Accident victims should also take photographs of the accident scene that clearly show the damage to both vehicles. Drivers should write down the license plate number, make and model of the other vehicle. If there are witnesses to the accident, they should write down their names and contact information. People should report the accidents to their own insurance companies. The companies may be able to identify the drivers from the license plate numbers and then obtain their insurance information. Even if the drivers will not initially provide their information, they may be more willing to give it when the police arrive. If the driver is uncooperative, people should simply do what they can to gather evidence and wait for law enforcement to arrive on the scene.
by Queener Law | Dec 27, 2017 | Auto Accident, Colorado, Kentucky, Tennessee
Because car manufacturers tend to design their vehicles to pass the existing safety tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently instituted new tests that rate cars for passenger safety. In the past, manufacturers had focused on driver safety since that was what the tests looked for. The IIHS asserts that it is important to improve passenger safety so that it is equal to the safety standards imposed for drivers.
IIHS Safety Tests
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performs tests each year on newly released vehicle models. The tests are influential and let customers understand how safe the different models are so they can make informed purchasing decisions. Because of the importance of these tests, vehicle manufacturers tend to design their vehicles to pass them. In the past, the tests have focused on the safety of drivers. Recently, however, the IIHS has been concerned about making certain that the manufacturers also design their vehicles to be equally safe for passengers. It added passenger-side front crash tests to its safety testing regimen this year.
Test Results
The IIHS tested 13 vehicles with its new passenger side 40 mph frontal crash test. Of the vehicles that were tested, 10 received good ratings from the IIHS. Out of the remaining three, the Volkswagen Jetta was rated as acceptable while the Chevrolet Malibu and the Volkswagen Passat received ratings of marginal. The IIHS recommends that manufacturers optimize the safety of their airbags and headrests to equalize the safety of vehicles for passengers as well as drivers.
While enhanced safety measures won’t prevent all motor vehicle injuries from occurring, they can help to minimize the risks of serious injuries or fatalities when accidents happen. The IIHS designs its tests so that consumers can use the results as one factor in their decisions about which vehicles to purchase. People who are in the market to purchase new cars may now have access to more accurate safety ratings due to the changes. Because car manufacturers are aware that consumers pay attention to IIHS ratings, they might be led to add enhanced features to their vehicles to make them safer for all passengers.
