Zachar Law Blog

Drivers in Coconino County can now get cited for using cellphones

Drivers in Coconino County will now be fined for using their cell phones without a hands free device.

The new law went into effect on Saturday as drivers who were "distracted driving" started to receive fines. The enforcement passed by the county's Board of Supervisors in April.

Drivers caught texting or talking on a cell phone without using a hands free device will be facing fines that range from $100 - $250.

Flagstaff did not adopt the full ban, instead just banning texting while driving. Sedona, Page and Fredonia adopted the county's entire ordinance, said Nathan Gonzalez, spokesman for Coconino County.

Sedona police will issue only verbal warnings to drivers until February.

Because there is no statewide law regulating cellphones while driving, Department of Public Safety officers patrolling highways in the county will provide education — not citations — to drivers who are stopped and thought to be distracted.

Those who try to sneak in a quick text while at a stop light or stop sign should know the ban also applies when the car is temporarily stopped.

The ban doesn't apply in emergency calls to police or fire departments, or to a hospital, doctor's office or ambulance service; if the driver is on private property, or if the driver has pulled over on the road and parked the car.

Sending or reading a text takes a driver's eyes off the road for 5 seconds, and at 55 mph, that's equivalent to driving the length of a football field, according to Distraction.gov, a U.S. government website for distracted driving.

Great move by Coconino county. The entire state of Arizona should follow suit and ban all use of cell phones while behind the wheel. It's just too dangerous.

 

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State Farm has been conducting an annual survey since 2009 that tracks the behaviors of drivers in relation to their cell phones.

The statistics show that talking on cell phones has decreased. Texting and driving has remained steady.  Surfing the web while driving has SKYROCKETED.

According to State Farm, the number of drivers who access the internet has doubled. What about those who read their email behind the wheel? That’s almost doubled as well.

Since 2007, 44 states and the District of Columbia have enacted bans on texting while driving.  Fourteen states and Washington, D.C., prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. There is no states that totally prohibit some cell phone use behind the wheel.

In fiscal years 2014 and 2015, Connecticut was the only state to qualify for distracted driving funding approved by Congress in the federal transportation bill. It was the only state to meet the strict requirements of the bill, such as progressive fines for repeat offenses and no exceptions for drivers who text while stopped at a traffic light.

With the alarming increases and no real laws to stop the internet usage from increasing while behind the wheel, what can be done?  Some drivers have taken it upon themselves to regulate when they use their cell phones. In fact, according to State Farm, 63% of drivers check their cell phones while at a stop light. That may seem safe, but not using a cell phone behind the wheel at all should be the goal for everyone.

Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that more than one-third of all crashes – 36% -- occur at intersections. Driver recognition and decision errors – which include things such as failure to see or recognize potential dangers from other vehicles – accounted for 84% of those crashes.

It is clear to all by now that the use of cell phone while in a vehicle poses an increased hazard to drivers on the roadway.  Can you avoid the temptation? 

It is hard, isn’t it?  Your phone buzzes while you are headed down the road.  Can you avoid looking at it?

You stop at a red light.  That is safe, right?  Nothing makes a red light turn green faster than trying to get through a few emails. 

Driving safety requires reason and common sense.  As long as you keep that in mind, and make good decisions, you should remain a safe driver on the road.

Now if we can just do something about all of the other drivers…….

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Tips For A Happy & Safe Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. YES!!!! It is my favorite day of the year. 

Football, turkey, stuffing and gravy, football, turkey, dessert, football and dessert (not always in that order).

DOES IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT????

However……..a little parade rain:

Did you know that Thanksgiving Day has more than double the number of home cooking fires than an average day?  It is true.  Each year, more than 4,000 fires occur on Thanksgiving Day. With all of the excitement and overindulgence, here are a few tips that can keep you and your loved ones safe:

COOKING SAFETY

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and related injuries.

Safety tips to follow:

• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the cooking area.
• Clean all cooking surfaces to prevent grease buildup.
• Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food. Turn burners off if leaving the kitchen.
• Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby. Use it to cover the pan if it catches on fire.
• Place turkey fryers outside and away from the house, deck and garage.
• Keep potholders and food wrappers at least three feet away from heat sources while cooking
• Set timers to keep track of turkeys and other food items that require extended cooking times
• Follow all manufacturer guidelines regarding the appropriate use of appliances
• Turn handles of pots and pans on the stove inward to avoid accidents

Keep a fire extinguisher close.  Check to make sure before the big day that it is current and charged.

TRAVEL SAFETY

Vehicles should be in good working order before heading out. Things to remember:

• Pack emergency supplies like blankets, water and snacks, flashlight and first aid kit.

• Fill the fuel tank, check air pressure in tires and top-off windshield fluid.

• Buckle up and obey all traffic signs.

• Avoid distractions while driving like using mobile phones to talk or text.

• Designate a driver who won’t be drinking whenever alcohol is served.

 Try to be careful about driving immediately after the big meal.  A full stomach can cause sleepy eyes, and drowsy driving is dangerous.

Thanksgiving is one of the best family and friends days of the year.  There is a lot of travel before and after the big day, and more cars on the highway. 

Give yourself a little more time to get to where you are going, and stay aware of the cars around you.  Safety is the REAL key to a fun and happy holiday.

HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!!! 

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Semi-truck driver arrested in fatal wreck on I-17

The driver of the semi that rear ended 4 vehicles on the I-17 in Phoenix Wednesday morning, killing one man and injuring others, has been arrested for driving impaired.

 

The accident led to back-ups for miles and casuing congestion in both directions. 

 

Police say Brian J. Knoll had been driving a tractor trailer with a load of concrete pavers when he rear-ended four vehicles stopped for freeway congestion on northbound I-17. The first vehicle burst into flames.

 

The semi then crashed into the concrete median, where the bulk of the pavers fell off the trailer and landed in southbound lanes.

 

A DPS officer pulled a driver, who was later identified as 22-year-old Paul Troupe, from his burning vehicle and began chest compressions on him, according to a DPS statement.  

 

Troupe was pronounced dead at a hospital.  Several people were taken to hospitals for injuries; one of them had life-threatening wounds, the statement said.

 

Can you say “SCAREY!!!!!”?

 

The biggest vehicle on the road, carrying concrete pavers and the driver is impaired??!! 

 

On a Wednesday morning??!!

 

All drivers beware:  This will cost the driver everything he has, including his liberty.   This is the cost of driving impaired and causing such harm to innocent people.

 

Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. 

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Booster Seats: The dangers of not having one

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Booster Seats: The dangers of not having one

It's a common question: What are the booster seat requirements in Arizona?

The state of Arizona passed a law that required children between the ages of 5 and 7 and that were shorter than 4 feet 9 inches tall are required to be in a child-restraint system (booster seat.)

In a study released by AAA, there are hundreds of children that are injured and killed on Arizona's roads as a result of improper use of a safety seat, or in some cases no use of a safety seat at all.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, proper use of a seat restraint can reduce a child's fatality risk by up to 71 percent. 

People drive much more than they used to, and kids spend a lot more time in cars than they did before car seats were used.

While the number of motor vehicle injuries and deaths has declined with increased seat belt and car seat use, millions of crashes still occur on U.S. roads every year and are the leading cause of death in children over the age of 3.

Booster seats have proven time and time again that they save lives. Why wouldn't you have one for your child? Those who don't, are subject to very stiff fines.

The updated law passed by Arizona makes not using a booster seat a primary offense. That means you can be pulled over for violating this law. 

There are many different kinds of booster seats that you can purchase from various retail stores.

The price of the seat is worth every penny when you consider just how many injuries and fatalities actually occur in Arizona every year.

With the state constantly growing in population, and more and more drivers on the road, you should take every precaution to keep you and your loved ones safe while on the road.

 

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Drunk Driving vs. Distracted Driving. Which is worse

We use our phones every day. In fact, we use them so much that we’ve been relying on them more than any other piece of technology that’s out.

We use them in almost every facet of our lives. From checking work email to taking pictures to even paying for things with them.

But what happens if you get behind the wheel while using your phone? It changes everything.

Drunk Driving has always had a social stigma. You’ve seen campaign after campaign both on TV and even on billboards telling of the dangers that come with drinking and driving.

You’re impaired, and you can’t focus on driving.

Wait. That sounds a lot like someone who’s using their cellphone behind the wheel too.

Could you tell the difference in someone driving drunk and someone driving distracted? Probably not.

Here are some scary statistics:

20% of high schoolers say they have ridden with a drunk driver at one time.

50% of ALL adults and teens say they have ridden with someone who was texting and driving.

Here are the facts.

Drunk Driving has been on the decline. In fact, it’s been declining for quite some time now. The number of drunk driving fatalities per person decreased by 28% from 2005 – 2012.

In that same time frame, distracted driving or “visibly manipulating” phones while driving increased 650%.

The number of distracted driving fatalities increased 28% between 2005-2008, alone.

Drivers are putting themselves in danger while using their phones behind the wheel.

In a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers under the age of 25 are 3 times more likely to text while drive.

Most states have a ban against texting and driving. The only ones who don’t are Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi, and yes, Arizona.

But drinking and driving is illegal in ALL states.

Why? They are both equal as far as the danger meter goes.

Why isn’t distracted (texting) driving treated as harshly as drinking and driving?

Take notice. A change is needed. 

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Drowsy Driving Involved In 21 Percent Of Fatal Car Accidents

AAA has released a new study regarding “drowsy driving”.

When people think of impaired driving, they automatically think of either drinking, drugs, cell phone and/or texting. But what about drowsy driving?

This is an epidemic that continues to grow. According to the AAA report, more than 21 percent of all fatal accidents involve drowsy driving.

Even more startling is that 6,400 deaths a year are caused because of drowsy driving.  You hardly hear about these types of accidents because there are vastly under-reported.

Compared to drinking and texting, drowsy driving has a wide discrepancy in its statistics. Simply put, it’s harder to prove. 

If you know you are going to be on the road for awhile and if you feel tired, don’t get behind the wheel.  

It’s not worth it. These types of accidents continue to grow and are most commonly seen among the trucking industry.

How do you prevent drowsy driving? Here are a few steps to take to make sure you are okay to drive.

- If you’re traveling for a long amount of time, take breaks. There are rest stops for a reason.

- If you feel that you are getting tired, have someone else drive. Don’t take a chance.

- Make sure you’re well-rested before getting behind a wheel.

- Stay focused on the road. Don’t let yourself get too comfortable while driving. Driving alert and aware is extremely important

These tips might seem pretty basic, but people obviously are not getting the 

the message.  How do we know?  6,400 death and thousands of more injury accidents says so. 

Don’t drive drowsy. The consequences are simply not worth the risk

Car Accidents Send 2.5 Million Americans To The Emergency Room Every Year

According to a new federal government report, more than 2.5 million Americans are sent to the emergency room every year because of motor vehicle collisions.

That breaks down to roughly 7,000 people a day heading to hospitals around the U.S.  The most common victims are teens, young adults and drivers over 80.

According to the CDC, these accidents cost in excess of $18 million in expenses over a lifetime.

Though accidents overall have decreased over the last 10 years, traffic accidents are still hailed as the primary cause of injury in America.

The key causes of these accidents:

-Drowsy driving

-Distracted driving

-Drunk driving

-Reckless driving

-Running red lights

-Running stop signs

For teens and young adults, alcohol plays the biggest role in traffic accidents.

The statistics show that drivers between the age of 15-20 that die because of car crashes have a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher.

In fact, the CDC claims that teen deaths because of drunk driving is 3x that of adults. Alcohol related fatalities cost the United States more than $50 billion each year.

Scary. Isn’t it? What can we do to stop these senseless strategies?

Lower the legal limit for drivers? Harsher laws for drunk drivers?

Wishful thinking, but not likely to help.  Honestly, if people don’t get it by now, what is there?

One answer perhaps: Education in the schools.  The penalties are not helping.  You can make the penalties extremely harsh and it won’t stop the drunks from getting behind he wheel. 

Education, plain and simple. 

It will not stop these from occurring, but possibly will decrease the frequency amongst teen drivers.

The Four Way Stop. Who has the right of way?

There are hundreds upon hundreds of four way stops throughout Arizona.

They might seem simple, yet accidents occur almost daily. Why?

Simply put, four way stops can be tricky. There are many variables involved when you arrive at a stop.  Many drivers don’t know the right of way rules.

Just one person can cause an accident, so how do you make sure you are safe when you arrive at a four-way stop? Here are a few tips.

- Timing is crucial. Generally, the first vehicle to come to a complete stop at the intersection has the right of way.

- If there are two vehicles that arrive at the same time, the driver making a left hand turn will yield to the other driver opposite of them.

- If two vehicle arrive at the same time and are at 90 degree angles to one another, the vehicle on the right has the right of way.

Make sure you follow these rules the next time you come to a four way stop. Now, keep in mind that attention and reason must always be the rule of thumb. 

No one wants to get in an accident, and the “he’s at fault” argument means little difference when your car is wrecked and you are injured. 

Also, if there are no independent witnesses, these collisions often turn into a “he said, she said” argument.  Regardless of who “gets there first”, good driving suggests:

1. Make eye contact with the other driver;
2. Signal as needed so both drivers are sure of who is doing what;
3. Proceed cautiously to assure no miscommunication causes an accident;
4. Acknowledge courtesies of other drivers. 

Discuss these rules with your teen drivers often.

Remember, the best accident is the one that never happens!

Connected Cars: The end of car accidents?

 

We've seen it many times on the movie screen. Smart cars. Cars that can drive themselves, but that can also "talk" to other cars and keep drivers safe. 

Those vehicles are no longer just for the movies, but they are heading to the masses and quickly.

University of Arizona's researchers are working to make the future of "connected cars" safer than any other vehicle on the road today.

In fact, GM plans on releasing the first fully connected car by 2017.

Professor Larry lead and his team of PhD students are testing ways to make these connected cars the safest vehicles on the road.

“We are communicating with the traffic signals. We can manipulate the signals’ timing to allow a bus to get through the intersection without having to stop,” said Head.

Connected technology lets drivers be hyper aware of their surroundings, but also picks up the slack if they take their eyes off the road.

“Suppose I did get distracted looking down here, and I started rolling forward. Well the vehicles talking to each other would stop my car,” said Head.

The team is also researching an app that pedestrians could download on their smartphones that would let vehicles send signals to the pedestrians so they are made aware of their surroundings.

“We’ve developed a little pedestrian app that runs on a smart phone," Head told FoxNews.com. "A pedestrian can walk up to an intersection and push a button so the intersection now knows you’re there."

Does this mean the end of car accidents? In a perfect world, yes. There's still alot of testing that needs to happen before these vehicles actually make it to the road, but our hope is that one day this is a reality. 

What do you think? Are "connected cars" the way of the future as far as safety goes?