These Intersection Safety Tips May Help You Avoid an Accident

Statistics collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show 20 percent of all fatal traffic accidents in 2008 occurred at intersections. These roadways see a lot of traffic and may have other issues that cause accidents. For example, intersections may lack signals, or have blind spots that make it difficult for motorists to see oncoming traffic. U.S. Highway 69 and FM 326 in Angelina County is notorious for having a blind spot caused by a hill. The following intersection safety tips are examples of how you can take certain actions to reduce the chances of an accident.

• Watch for cross traffic: Before going through the intersection, quickly look left and right. Never assume that drivers will stop at red lights. In fact, thousands of fatalities are caused every year by drivers who run red lights at intersections and hit other motorists, cyclists or pedestrians.
• Stay focused: Phones, food, and other passengers can rob you of the attentiveness needed to safely traverse an intersection.
• Watch for blind spots: Blind spots that hide oncoming traffic are not always apparent. It is dangerous to make a turn on U.S. Highway 69 and FM 326, in part, because traffic coming from the left on Highway 69 is obscured by a hill.
• Be cautious of cyclists and pedestrians: Cyclists and pedestrians are much more difficult to spot, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. Other drivers may not spot cyclists or pedestrians, and slam on the brakes or swerve out of the way to avoid a collision. This is especially true with jaywalkers, who may unexpectedly cross the street and cause an auto accident.
• Do not rush yellow lights: Some intersections have traffic lights, but this does not make them immune to accidents. Always approach an intersection slowly, even if the light is turning yellow. Rushing through the intersection does not give you the time to avoid collisions or other obstacles.
• Use your turn signals: Intersections are sometimes packed with other drivers. Let these other drivers know your intentions by using your turn signals.
• Be careful changing lanes: Never change lanes in the middle of an intersection. This is not only illegal, it is dangerous.

One of the best ways to avoid an accident is to carefully inspect the intersection before crossing or making a turn. When it comes to intersections, expect the unexpected.

What Happens if You Get Hit Driving Across an Intersection?

You can do everything right at an intersection and still be hit by another driver. Unfortunately, not everyone puts safety first when driving. People may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, run red lights or hit you while texting. There are many possible scenarios where negligent or reckless drivers can endanger your safety.Depending on the circumstances, drivers may be held liable for causing accidents at intersections. Other motorists and cameras may witness or record accidents, which can become useful evidence during a personal injury lawsuit.The Texas car accident lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC can help accident survivors and their families explore options for holding negligent drivers accountable.

Will 2017 Be the Year Texas Gets a Distracted Driving Law?

Several months ago, we published a blog discussing how Texas is one of four states in the US without a universal ban on distracted driving. That may soon change. The 85^th Legislature recently convened in Austin, and lawmakers are filing bills by the hundreds. State Representative Tom Craddick is making a fourth attempt to pass a distracted driving law. If House Bill 62 is passed by Legislature and signed by Governor Greg Abbott, drivers reading, texting or sending messages could receive fines.There are existing laws that place restrictions on mobile phone use while driving, but they are limited. Cities and small towns have passed their own ordinances banning mobile phone use. Texas law bans motorists under 18 from using phones while driving except during emergencies. Bus drivers are also banned from using mobile phones while driving. Finally, you cannot use mobile phones in school zones in our state.Despite existing rules, Texas lacks a centralized law banning distracted driving for the majority of motorists.

Do We Need a Distracted Driving Law?

Statistics and news headlines make a powerful argument for preventing accidents caused by distracted driving – through state laws or other means. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,179 people died in distracted driving accidents in 2014. Another 431,000 suffered injuries that same year. Texas Department of Transportation statistics show 100,000 distracted driving accidents happen in our state every year, many of which are caused by mobile phone use.The stories of families who have lost loved ones to these accidents also make a powerful argument for preventing distracted driving.For example, the story behind Craddick’s legislation is a powerful example of how distracted driving can destroy lives. House Bill 62 is also known as the Alex Brown Memorial Act. In 2009, 17-year-old Alex Brown crashed her truck on the way to school. She was texting four friends when she crashed on a rural road at 70 miles per hour. Alex’s parents launched the Remember Alex Brown Foundation, and Craddick has, on multiple occasions, named his anti-distracted driving legislation after the girl. There are thousands of stories like this happening across the country every year.In many cases, distracted drivers or the people they hit suffer catastrophic injuries. Brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, disfigurement, burns and broken bones are commonplace.Opponents of a distracted driving law claim it would infringe on the personal freedom of Texas citizens. Other opposing arguments suggest the law’s fines would do little to stop distracted driving. In addition, opponents also claim other forms of distracted driving, such as applying makeup or using a GPS, are equally dangerous.Where do you stand on this issue? Let us know by connecting with the Texas car accident attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC on Facebook.

Can This New Auto Technology Prevent Car Accidents?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed regulations that will require V2V technology (vehicle-to-vehicle) in light vehicles. V2V technology uses high-tech radio communications that allow cars to share important data with each other. The data shared with other vehicles includes heading, speed, brake status and other important information. By sharing data with each other, vehicles can warn drivers or self-driving systems of impending collisions. If NHTSA’s proposal goes into effect, it will become a standard like antilock braking or airbags.

How Might V2V Technology Improve Auto Safety?

Let’s say you were driving along I-10 on your way to Houston. A vehicle further up the interstate suddenly activates its brakes to avoid colliding with piece of debris. Your V2V system would warn that the other driver had slammed on the brakes. Your car could communicate with this other vehicle from 1,000 to 1,500 feet away, depending on the conditions. This is only one example of how V2V could prevent a collision. According to NHTSA, V2V technology could help you determine whether it is safe to make a turn across the path of oncoming traffic, or if a vehicle approaching your intersection is on a collision course.V2V technology is also expected to help improve the safety of self-driving vehicles. Existing self-driving technology is limited by line of sight. For example, current radars used by self-driving cars cannot see around blind corners or past other obstructions hundreds of feet away. V2V will not have these limitations.A recent article published by Forbes argues V2V technology will improve the safety of self-driving cars. The article discusses a fatal car accident last year involving Tesla’s Autopilot. According to the article, the crash happened because Autopilot did not detect a semi-truck turning left in front of the Tesla Model S. V2V may have communicated with Autopilot or the driver, allowing the vehicle or motorist to avoid the collision.

What Impact Could V2V Technology Have on Public Safety?

According to NHTSA, its proposal could save $53 billion to $71 billion within 30 years of going into effect. NHTSA believes V2V and other similar technologies could prevent up to 80 percent of non-impaired accidents that occur at intersections or while changing lanes. The NHTSA estimates this will save 1,000 lives every year.If NHTSA’s proposal becomes finalized after a public comment period, all light trucks and vehicles could use the technology by 2023. It’s an exciting development, because it is another step towards preventing human error from causing car accidents. Our roads may be much safer in the next decade.The Texas car accident lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC encourage you to drive safely and stay informed on vehicle recall information.

How Can Following the Texas Move Over Law Save Lives?

Law enforcement and emergency personnel performing traffic stops or responding to auto accidents are at risk of being struck by passing motorists. Most states have move over laws to prevent these types of accidents. In 2003, former Governor Rick Perry signed the Move Over Act into law. The law’s language is simple to understand and it is not difficult to follow.

How Does the Texas Move Over Law Work?

Transportation Code 545.157 requires drivers to perform certain actions near emergency vehicles that have come to a stop and have their lights activated. There are two options. Drivers can vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle (if the road has multiple lanes in the same direction), or they can slow down to 20 miles per hour under the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or more. For example, if the speed limit is 45 miles per hour, this means the driver must slow down to 25 miles per hour.This statute applies to vehicles such as police officers, emergency medical services, fire trucks, tow trucks and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicles. The statute added tow trucks in 2011, and TxDOT workers in 2013.Drivers who fail to abide by this law can face fines of up to $2,000 depending on the circumstances. If a driver causes injuries because they failed to follow the move over law, they can face a Class B misdemeanor.

What Happens When Drivers Ignore Move Over Laws?

Despite the existence of Texas’ move over law, roadside accidents continue to happen. Statistics collected by the Texas Department of Public Safety show that in 2015, 11 state troopers were hit by drivers who did not follow Texas’ move over law. TxDOT also claims 13 of its workers have died performing roadside work within the last decade.An accident in Huntsville can also show us how frequently drivers ignore this law. A Texas state trooper suffered injuries while responding to the scene of an accident. A passing driver lost control and slammed into his patrol car. According to the trooper, who has since recovered from his injuries, this is not the first time it has happened.This law enforcement officer also told the local press in Huntsville that he lost a fellow trooper to one of these collisions. A drunk driver slammed into the trooper at 80 miles per hour while he was working on the side of the road.The consequences of ignoring Texas’ move over laws can extend beyond fines or criminal penalties. Drivers may also be held accountable for causing deaths or catastrophic injuries. Victims of drivers ignoring this law may decide to sue for damages.The Texas car accident lawyers at Mike Love & Associates, LLC can hold negligent drivers accountable when they injure or kill other people.

Can We Prevent Car Crashes Caused by Apps?

Distracted driving has become a major cause of car crashes across the United States. Recent statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggest smartphone use is partially to blame. Fatal car crashes increased by 10.4 percent in the first six months of 2016, compared to the same period last year. According to NHTSA, distracted driving caused 3,477 traffic fatalities last year, an increase of 8.8 percent since 2014. Recent news has highlighted how apps are responsible for many distracted driving crashes.Drivers using apps like Facebook Live, Snapchat and Pokémon Go have caused high-speed car crashes. Some of these crashes have resulted in fatalities or serious injuries.In one case, a motorist taking selfies with Snapchat’s speed filter feature crashed into an Uber driver at more than 100 miles per hour. The Uber driver suffered a severe brain injury. Another case involving the speed filter resulted in five fatalities. The responsible driver was travelling at 115 miles per hour, when he slammed into a Toyota minivan carrying a mother and her two children. The at-fault driver, his passenger and the mother and her two children died in the collision.Snapchat’s speed filter feature is a perfect example of how apps are causing serious car accidents. The speed filter allows users to record how fast they are going while taking selfies. When users post these selfies or videos to their profiles, the app displays the speed for their friends. Snapchat has defended its speed filter by claiming it comes with a warning that it should never be used while driving. Unfortunately, it appears several users have ignored the warning. This is the crux of the problem. Users can just ignore the warning and use the app while driving.

Can Smartphone Manufacturers Prevent Distracted Driving Crashes?

NHTSA recently caused a controversy for asking phone manufacturers to lock apps for drivers. Phones would work with vehicle infotainment systems to prevent apps from working.Ideally, this means the infotainment system could identify the driver and prevent certain features on their phones from working. Passengers could still use their phones. Some vehicle manufacturers have already installed similar features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work with infotainment systems and limit app usage. Despite the criticism that NHTSA is overstepping its mandate by asking phone manufacturers to lock phones, these would be voluntary guidelines.NHTSA’s request for a “driver mode” could become an important step in reducing distracted driving crashes nationwide. Other technologies, such as self-driving vehicles, automatic brakes or V2V systems may also help save lives.The Texas personal injury attorneys at Mike Love & Associates LLC encourage safe and responsible driving. Depending on the circumstances, distracted drivers can be held liable for car accidents.