Zachar Law Blog

This App Turns Smartphones Into Safe Driving Tools

We know that cellphones and driving don’t mix. Despite the accidents and known risks, 89% of teens say they reply to a text message or email within five minutes, driving or not. So can the technology responsible for distracting many drivers, also serve to prevent roadway collisions and close-calls?

A new app called DriveScribe turns your phone into a “driving coach.” Aimed in particular at helping those new drivers learn the rules-of-the-road, the app monitors speed, and blocks all texts, updates and calls while the car is in motion. It uses GPS, social media, real-time voice feedback and a jamming function to block texts and calls. The app will tell drivers to slow down if they’re going too fast.

While driving, the phone can stay on the seat, in a cup holder or in another mount in the car. And there’s no need to handle the device once you’re on the road; just tap “start trip” before you being driving, then “end trip” when you’ve reached your destination. Parents of teens can sign up for updates that let them know if their teen has violated any roadway laws. Another incentive to drive well are the points drivers accru for being safe behind the wheel, which can eventually be used to buy giftcards.

“The ability to take the very device that is distracting most teen drivers and turn it into something that not only coaches them but offers a path to rewards is a game changer,” says Will England, founder and CEO of DriveScribe. “While the app limits distractions and monitors performance, it also guides and encourages teens to drive more safely by rewarding smart driving. It’s a win-win: Parents get peace of mind and teens get great stuff when they drive well.”

DriveScribe is available in iTunes and Google Play.

App makers have already jumped on the idea that if drivers aren’t willing to put down their cellphones, startups may be able to restructure the way people interact with phones while driving.

Other apps that serve to curb distracted driving include DriveOff by insurance company, esure. The free Android app can detect when drivers are traveling at more than 10mph, and will shut off other apps that could be distracting, as well as temporarily halt incoming calls and text messages. The app DriveSafe.ly reads your SMS messages aloud to you, so you don’t need to pick up your phone.

But it may not just be talking and texting that is distracting drivers. In a YouTube video, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood says his department is conducting research on whether or not GPS devices and hands-free headsets distract drivers by affecting cognitive abilities.

Texting and Driving is becoming one of the most common reasons for accidents across the nation today. There are enough distractions on the road as it is, so why add another by having a smartphone in the hands of drivers to only add to the chaos.

There have been Accidents in Phoenix, and across the nation where this app could have prevented the accident from occuring in the first place. This is a great idea. Now all we can do, is hope it catches on throughout the nation.

Teen Drivers: Drive Safe, Drive Smart!

Many teen drivers are still new to the public roads, and though now legal drivers, don’t always have all the tools needed in order to drive safely. Many times teens are distracted by the radio, friends, phone calls and even text messages while driving. (In a recent case in New Jersey, an injured party sued both the driver who was texting AND the girlfriend who was at the other end of the texts.)

Car Crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, constituting 36% of all deaths in this age group according to the Centers for Disease Control.  Each year over 5,000 teens, ages 16 to 19, die due to fatal injuries caused by car accidents.  About 400,000 drivers age 16 to 19 are seriously injured.  The risk of being involved in a car accident is higher for drivers aged 16 to 19 than it is for any other age group. For each mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are about four times (4x) more likely than other drivers to crash.  Teenagers are about 10 percent of the US Population, but drivers (both male and female) under age 24 account for 30% of the accidents. 

The risk of a crash is highest during the first year teenagers are able to drive.

Below are tips to help your teenager stay focused while on the road:

• Always wear your seat belt--and make sure all passengers buckle up, too.
• Adjust your car's headrest to a height behind your head--not your neck--to minimize whiplash in case you're in an accident.
• Never try to fit more people in the car than you have seatbelts for.
• Obey the speed limits.  Going too fast gives you less time to stop or react. Excess speed is one of the main causes of teenage accidents.
• Don't run red lights.
• Use turn signals to indicate your intention to turn or to change lanes, and make sure the signals turns off after you've completed the action.
• When light turns green, make sure intersection clears before you go.
• Don't drive like you own the road; drive like you own the car.
• Make sure your windshield is clean. At sunrise and sunset, light reflecting off your dirty windshield can momentarily blind you from seeing what's going on.
• Drive into your garage straight, not on an angle. (Surprising how many mishaps happen here)
• Make sure your car has gas in it. Don't ride around with the gauge on empty--who knows where you might get stranded.
• Don't drink and drive, and don't ride with anyone who has been drinking. Call parents or friends to take you home if you need a ride.
• Don't take drugs and drive. Don't ride with anyone who has been using drugs. Even some over the counter drugs can make you drowsy. Check label for warnings.

Distractions cause many accidents for both new and experienced drivers. Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds, could have disastrous results. 

Here are some tips to avoid distractions:

- Don't eat in the car.  Fumbling with food, dropping food or trying to drive with one hand can cause problems.

- Avoid fiddling with controls such as radio, heaters, AC, and mirrors while driving. Better to pull over and adjust them, then return to the road.

- For new drivers, don't drive with friends in the car.

- Don't use cell phones while driving. Pull off the road in a safe place to make calls.

- Check your vision. If you need glasses, be sure to wear them while driving.

- Wear sunglasses when driving in bright sunlight. Sun glare can also be a distraction.

- Avoid playing the radio too loud, the distraction could keep you from hearing sirens from emergency vehicles.

- If something falls on the floor, don't try to pick it up while driving. Wait until you are parked.

- Driving is not the time to check your email, read the paper or a book.

- Don't respond to a text while driving--or even stopped in traffic.  No message is worth getting into an accident for. 

- Always keep your eyes on the road and be aware of what other drivers are doing.

- Cell phones are a huge distraction now that there is text messaging.  Avoid it.

I am in the (presently) fortunate position that I don’t have any teen drivers in my household.  However, this situation will change drastically in the next couple of years. 

I recall as a teen, an article that appeared in a Dear Abbey column.  It has stuck with me for all these years, and I believe that it should be MANDATORY reading for any teen before they are allowed to get their license (and perhaps, daily after that). 

It is called “Please God, I’m Only 17”, but applies to everyone.  Here it is:

The day I died was an ordinary day. How I wish I had taken the bus! But I was too cool for the bus. I remember how I wheedled the car out of Mom. "Special favor," I pleaded. "All the kids drive." When the 2:50 p.m. bell rang, I threw my books in the locker . . . free until tomorrow morning! I ran to the parking lot, excited at the thought of driving a car and being my own boss.

It doesn't matter how the accident happened. I was goofing off -- going too fast, taking crazy chances. But I was enjoying my freedom and having fun. The last thing I remember was passing an old lady who seemed to be going awfully slow. I heard a crash and felt a terrific jolt. Glass and steel flew everywhere. My whole body seemed to be turning inside out. I heard myself scream.

Suddenly, I awakened.  It was very quiet. A police officer was standing over me. I saw a doctor. My body was mangled. I was saturated with blood. Pieces of jagged glass were sticking out all over. Strange that I couldn't feel anything.

Hey, don't pull that sheet over my head. I can't be dead. I'm only 17. I've got a date tonight. I'm supposed to have a wonderful life ahead of me. I haven't lived yet. I can't be dead.

Later, I was placed in a drawer. My folks came to identify me. Why did they have to see me like this? Why did I have to look at Mom's eyes when she faced the most terrible ordeal of her life? Dad suddenly looked very old. He told the man in charge, "Yes, he's our son."

The funeral was weird. I saw all of my relatives and friends walk toward the casket. They looked at me with the saddest eyes I've ever seen. Some of my buddies were crying. A few of the girls touched my hand and sobbed as they walked by.

Please, somebody -- wake me up! Get me out of here. I can't bear to see Mom and Dad in such pain. My grandparents are so weak from grief they can barely walk.  My brother and sister are like zombies. They move like robots. In a daze. Everybody. No one can believe this. I can't believe it, either.

Please, don't bury me! I'm not dead! I have a lot of living to do! I want to laugh and run again. I want to sing and dance. Please don't put me in the ground! I promise if you give me just one more chance, God, I'll be the most careful driver in the whole world. All I want is one more chance.  Please, God, I'm only 17.

Please everyone, drive safe and drive smart. Car Accidents in Arizona are a growing problem. You already can see the stats nation-wide. Arizona can do something about these accidents and help keep our young drivers safe.

Auto Insurance Tips: Uninsured Motorist Dangers

You are driving down the road one day and unfortunately end up in an auto accident. The driver who hit you tells you that they do not have insurance coverage on their vehicle. What do you do?

The Insurance Research Council (IRC) reports that more Americans than ever, now one in six drivers, have no vehicle insurance whatsoever.

In the state of Arizona, auto insurance is required by law to all Arizona drivers. Unfortunately, there are still a few drivers that do not have car insurance.

This is a depressing result of recessionary times, which lead to increased unemployment, car payment, insurance, and vehicle operating costs.

It is now more important than ever to purchase uninsured motorist insurance (UM) sufficient to full protect all drivers in your family.

UM protection kicks in when another driver at fault in an automobile collision has no insurance coverage. It can cover lost wages, medical costs, and other expenses associated with serious accident injuries.

Talk to your insurance agent about UM and underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) that safeguards you if injured by a negligent driver who has only minimal insurance.

According to the IRC, the average claims payment for accidents involving underinsured drivers averages $11,000.

Adding these two options to your policy will not only give you a little more peace of mind when on the road, but it will also give you the assurance that you and your loved ones are protected in case of an unfortuante car accident.

As always, please contact an experienced Phoenix car accident lawyer if you are involved in any auto accident.

Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyer: The steps to stay safe while on the road

A person is injured every 10.5 minutes a day in Arizona due to car accidents. If these numbers broke down into a year, we would have 33,195 injuries that resulted because of car accidents.

There are many ways you can keep your family and loved ones safe in a vehicle while you are on the

road. 

Be Alert! – Not only should you always keep your guard up while driving, but keeping your full attention on the road at all times is a must. Don’t drive if you are tired or you feel that you will not be able to handle the vehicle correctly.

Don’t Drink and Drive! – This is the easiest rule to follow. There are no exceptions to this. In Arizona alone, there were more than 5,489 alcohol related accidents. Don’t be another statistics and make the dumb decision to drive drunk.

Drive the Speed Limit! – There are posted speed limits signs all throughout Arizona for a reason. It’s not to slow you down and cause traffic, but they are there to keep you safe while you drive through our busy streets. Don’t go above the speed limit, getting to your destination a few minutes earlier doesn’t out weigh the risk of getting a ticket, causing thousands of dollars if you end up in an accident, or even much worse.

Avoid Distractions! – When you are on the road you should only focus on your surroundings as you drive. Not the changing the radio, and surely not texting or talking while you drive. You would be surprised how much safer our roads would be if everyone followed this step. Is a simple text message really worth an accident? NO!

If you follow the above steps, you will not only feel a lot better when you are on the road, but your loved ones will also take these simple rules into consideration while they drive which eases your stress as a parent, guardian, etc…

Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyer, Chris Zachar of Zachar Law Firm is an expert in Car Accidents in Arizona. With the growing population, it only makes sense to stay focused and safe while you drive.

If you feel you need even more tips while on the road, please be sure to download our car accident lawyer safety glove box card. Get tips and steps on what to do in case you are in an unfortunate accident. These steps will help protect your rights and you can always have these tips handy in your glove box by downloading our card HERE. An Attorney in AZ can protect you, but also give you options that you might already know in a case.

Left Hand Turns: The Dangers That Come With Them

When an accident occurs due to a left handed turn, the damages and injuries can be very severe. In almost every case, a high rate of speed is almost always the reason for such a high injury and damage

rate when a driver is attempting a left hand turn.

When an accident occurs due to a left hand turn, phoenix car accident lawyers know that these can be very complex in nature. Without the help of eye witnesses an accident can be hard to determine which party is truly at fault for the accident occurring in the first place. This is why it is very important to seek an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help determine and protect your rights should you ever be in an unfortunate accident.

The Arizona statute on left turns is ARS § 28-772. It states:

“The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle that is approaching from the opposite direction and that is within the intersection or so close to the intersection as to constitute an immediate hazard.“

It DOES NOT matter what color the light is when the accident occurred. The driver is not allowed to make a left hand turn if the approaching vehicle can cause a collision should the turn be made.

Arizona places the burden on the driver who made the left turn. This is why it is important to pay attention to the approaching traffic and wait for the vehicles to make a complete stop before attempting the left turn. Waiting a few extra moments can be life changing ordeal.

One might argue that the cars behind you are honking while you wait an extra moment before making a left hand turn, this is why it is important to consult with an experience phoenix auto accident attorney to help ensure that you are protecting your rights should you find yourself in a situation like this.

Left hand turns are one of the most dangerous maneuvers daily drivers make. Not only can they be very damaging, but can even be fatal in some situations. Please be sure to make sound decisions when you are attempting a left hand turn and always use caution with every turn. 

How to Stop a Car That Accelerates Out of Control (advice and video)

A colleague recently sent me this important and informative video from Consumer Reports, which discusses what to do and what not to do if your car suddenly accelerates beyond control.

This is a timely topic given the recent news about Toyota's mechanical problems, but this video is meant for drivers of ALL CARS, regardless of make or model.  

This is something that I have shared with my family and friends, and I encourage you all do do the same.  The video is short, and hopefully this is information you'll never have to use.  But in the unlikely chance that it does, you'll know the simple steps to regain control of your automobile.

I have worked on many cases in Arizona in which a vehicle defect caused a serious accident.  I can tell you from firsthand experience that many of those victims--and yes, their attorneys--wished that they had the ability to prevent or mitigate their accident.  

After all, the best type of accident is the one that never occurs.

I wish you all safe travels and cautious driving, and, if this helps someone, just one person, then it has served its purpose. As other important safety tips evolve, I will be sure to share them with you.

Motorcycle vs Car & Cellphone

 

Do you see the motorcycle?

Now do you see it?

 

 

The Honda crotch rocket

rider was traveling at approximately 85 mph. The VW driver was talking on a cell phone when she pulled out from a side street, apparently not seeing the motorcycle. The riders reaction time was not sufficient enough to avoid this accident. The car had two passengers and the bike rider was found INSIDE the car with them. The Volkswagen actually flipped over from the force of impact and landed 20 feet from where the collision took place.  All three involved (two in the car and the bike rider) were killed instantly.

This graphic demonstration was placed at The Stockholm Motorcycle Fair by the Police and Road Safety Department.Pass this on to car drivers or soon to be new drivers, or new motorcycle owners AND ESPECIALLY EVERYONE YOU KNOW WHO HAS A CELL PHONE!!!!!

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Wake up people , Stop talking on cell phones and texting while trying to drive. Put your cell phone in the back seat !!!

 

Get Teens Talking to Help Keep Them Safe on the Road

For those of you who read my blogs you know I have a special interest in keeping kids safe. I have three of my own, one who will be driving in a few years. Accordingly, I was glad to here about AAA Arizona’s teen driving public service announcement contest.

Teens interested in entering the contest must create a 60 second public service announcement, designed to build awareness on the biggest issues facing teen driving behaviors. Topics addressed can include: driving while impaired, distracted driving, aggressive driving, seat belt use, speeding and others.

The contest is only part of a larger campaign initiated by AAA. The campaign was created to encourage teens to talk about driving, therefore, making them aware of the issues and what they can do about them, and finding out how they feel about all of this.

AAA also launched an interactive social website in July. All of you who have teenage drivers should visit the site at www.aaateendriving.com. Make sure to introduce your teen driver to the site as well.

I applaud the AAA and any entity that strives to educate our children in hopes to keep them safer. Considering that 6,000 teens die and 300,000 are injured in the United States every year in car accidents, we can use all the help we can get.

According to police, echoed throughout the driver’s education community, the biggest problem seen in teen drivers is inattention. The only thing that can help with this is experience. Obviously, we can’t do anything to speed up time, but we can do lots of things to help teens get the experience they need behind the wheel. Driver’s education classes are so important----please make sure your teen enrolls and is active in a program. The more time behind the wheel the better, so having your teen get a driver’s permit, and allowing him/her to practice with you in the car before being allowed to get a license is priceless.

I would be happy to never again have to represent an auto accident victim who was injured or worse killed in a car accident that could have been prevented with a little preparation and education.

**If you have any questions or comments please visit my website at www.ZacharLaw.com or email me directly at CZachar@zacharlaw.com.