Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident Rates On The Rise in Charlotte
The city of Charlotte, North Carolina has seen an uptick in the number of vehicle accidents involving bicyclists and pedestrians. Whereas in 2005, 454 cyclists or walkers were struck by an automobile, that number increased to 522 last year. Officials attribute the rise in accidents to a similar rise in jaywalkers, distracted drivers, and roads… read more
Indiana Sees Fewer Pedestrian Fatalities in Early Morning Darkness
In 2006, Indiana made the move to observing daylight saving time across the state, a switch that was criticized by critics who though kids walking to school in the relative dark would be put at risk. However, the Journal Gazette examined data which showed the number of fatalities occurring in the dark morning hours declined… read more
Potsdam Increases Crosswalk Patrols to Improve Pedestrian Safety
In the town of Potsdam, New York, officials have initiated a campaign that aims to preserve pedestrian safety by increasing enforcement of crosswalk right-of-way laws. The Potsdam Police Department will be issuing citations to motorists who don’t yield to people on foot. Potsdam officials and the NYS Department of Transportation previously met to discuss how… read more
Dothan Police Sergeant Offers Tips Ahead of Alabama Texting Ban
Alabama’s new texting and driving law goes into effect on August 1. A sergeant with the Dothan Police Department noted that the law applies to any device that allows a user the ability to text and receive messages while driving. He stated that drivers should even program their GPS devices in advance so they are… read more
Report Offers Safety Tips to Outdoor Runners
The Lincoln (Illinois) Courier features a post containing safety tips for runners. Some of the tips concern general safety when one is near moving cars, such as running against traffic and wearing reflective gear and an identification tag. Other tips pertain to situations in which one feels threatened by strangers. Runners are advised to vary… read more
Noblesville Police Department Installs K-9 Heat Alarms on Cruisers
Indiana news station WISH-TV reports on a new high temperature alarm being installed in the cars of the Noblesville Police Department’s K-9 unit. The installations are a response to the recent death of a police dog in a hot squad car in Arizona. Although each alarm costs about $1,000 to install, the K-9 unit officers… read more
Police Crack Down on Distracted Drivers in Whitby, Ontario
In a recent crackdown on distracted drivers, police in Whitby, Ontario issued 84 citations over a four-day period last week. Police are hoping that the word gets out that distracted driving will not be tolerated. They believe that many drivers are still ignoring Ontario’s ban on using handheld communication devices while driving. Over half of… read more
Sunrise Indian Corn Candy Recalled Over Undeclared Milk Threat
There has been a recall issued for Mount Franklin Foods’s Sunrise Indian Corn Candy. The candy reportedly contains undeclared milk, which in some individuals may trigger a potentially life threatening allergic reaction. Information to contact Mount Franklin Foods is provided, and the item can be returned to the store for a refund. The recall involves… read more
Businesses Could Benefit From California Hands-Free Texting Law
California lawmakers have made hands-free use of electronics in order to text in a vehicle legal. The law is AB 1536. One assemblyman thinks the law can better help businesses conduct their affairs on the road in a safe way. He said California laws needed to be updated along with the technology. Automobile manufacturers are… read more
Poll Shows Distracted Walkers On The Rise, As Are Injuries
A recent poll from Consumer Reports shows that 85% of Americans had in the recent past seen an individual text or email while walking. 52% of those people reported that the distracted walkers were a danger to themselves and people around them. The number of pedestrian injuries due to distracted walkers seem to be on… read more
Study Shows Texting While Driving More Dangerous Than Talking
According to a study published in “Computers in Human Behaviour,” texting while driving is more dangerous than talking on the phone while driving because it is especially difficult for a driver to be performing two visual tasks at the same time. Eye tracking technology was able to show that it is very difficult to visually… read more
Texting Ban Fails to Dissuade Nebraska Teens
A law passed in Nebraska that banned texting while driving has not made much of an impact on teens behind the wheel of vehicles. The Youth Risk Behavioral Survey from the CDC showed that older high school students are more likely to engage in texting or chatting on a cellphone. 70% of 12th graders in… read more