Articles Posted in Car Accidents

Like most states, speeding is a common denominator for Boston car accidents and traffic accidents elsewhere in Massachusetts. Speed limits are established for the safety of drivers but the warning signs posting the speed are often ignored. Drivers need to accept the responsibilities of following the law and the speed limit signs that are posted on the state’s highways and byways this holiday season.

In 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported a total of 9,478 fatal crashes as a result of speeding. Massachusetts was responsible for 68 of the fatal crashes where speeding was involved. In the United States, one third of traffic fatalities in 2009 were a result of a speed-related crash. Massachusetts had a total of 76 of those fatalities.

According the NHTSA, Suffolk County had a total of 4 fatalities for crashes involving speed in 2009. This was a new low over the last 5 years and substantially lower than the 12 fatalities reported in 2007. Of course, heavy traffic plays a role. And the issue is chronically under-reported when factors like speed too fast for traffic conditions, tailgating and other related causes are taken into account.

Suffolk County has had a significant decrease over the last 5 years in fatalities per 100,000 people killed in speed related crashes. In 2005 there were 1.83 fatalities per 100,000 people where as in 2009 there were only .53 speed related fatalities per 100,000 people. In fact, Suffolk County had the lowest fatality rate per 100,000 people in 2009, with the exception of Franklin and Nantucket counties where no fatalities were recorded for that year.

Speeding is detrimental to driving for a couple of reasons. Speeding makes it difficult to control your vehicle around sharp corners or S curves. It is also much more difficult to stop your vehicle quickly. The higher the velocity of speed, the farther you travel when slamming on the brakes to avoid something in the road like an animal, another vehicle, or worse yet a pedestrian.

Speed also exponentially increases the seriousness of a resulting crash.

Safe driving tips for Massachusetts drivers include:

-Stay within 5-10mph of the cars driving on the roadway with you.

-Refrain from driving in the fast lane when you have the chance to move over into the next lane.

-If your vehicle has cruise control, set it to a speed that is appropriate with the traffic flow.

-If you tend to drive at a pace slower the speed limit, stay in the far right lane.

-Don’t swiftly change lanes or cutting off other drivers to get out of the way Continue reading

Our Boston personal injury lawyers urge you to speak with older drivers about the importance of safe-driving habits this week during Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. Family and friends can help by staying aware of their loved ones driving skills as they age each year.

As we age our body changes and some of these changes can affect our ability to drive safely. The National Institute on Aging highlights some issues facing older drivers.

-Hearing changes will affect your ability to hear warn sounds like sirens or horns. More importantly, strange sounds from your car indicate a mechanical problem that you need to hear.

-Reaction time in a vehicle is very important. There are times drivers need to think and act fast. As we age reflexes get slower, muscles are weaker and we may not think as fast as we use to.

-Eye diseases like cataracts and glaucoma affect the elder driver’s sight. Having trouble seeing at night can become a problem. Glare from the sun, street lights and headlights will present difficulties. It may become harder to read street signs and seeing people and objects outside your vehicle.

-Weakened muscles and stiffer joints may make turning the steering wheel or braking quickly more difficult. Also you may have a harder time turning your head, lessening your ability to see all that is around you.

As we get older our health changes and medications are needed to keep our bodies functioning properly. Elder drivers should be aware of medication side effects like drowsiness or lightheadedness which can affect your driving ability. This applies to all drivers not just the elderly.

Some states have special requirements when senior drivers renew their license. Some require a road test or a vision check so renewals can’t be done by mail or online.

As we reported in July on our Boston Car Accident Lawyers Blog, the state’s new law banning drivers from text messaging also includes a provision requiring drivers over the age of 75 to have their vision tested and to renew their license in person, rather than online.

Aging affects us all differently so there isn’t a way to determine when everyone should stop driving. But here are some clues that might suggest you put away those car keys for good.

-Are you having fender benders?

-Are you getting lost in previously familiar places?

-Are drivers blowing their horns at you?

-Do you find yourself drifting out of your lane?

-Have you been told by loved ones to stop driving?

-Are you worried about your own driving?

-Do you ever confuse the brake and the gas pedal?

-Do objects and people suddenly appear in front of you?
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Boston is among one of the most historical and cultural cities in America. Due to the history and the fact that it is home to three of the most prominent sports teams, Boston rates among the top tourist areas in the country. However, Massachusetts car accidents in rarely occur with the vast number of tourist driving on urban roadways.

In fact, a 2008 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states rural fatalities account for 56% of all traffic fatalities in the United States. However, from 2005 to 2009, the entire state of Massachusetts had 1,808 urban traffic fatalities and only 194 rural fatalities.

The NHTSA reported that in 2008, Massachusetts had the 3rd lowest rural fatalities at 36. Only the District of Columbia (2) and Rhode Island (13) had fewer. In addition, Massachusetts falls short of the national average of passenger vehicle deaths per miles traveled. In 2008, Massachusetts had .6 deaths per 100,000 miles travel, nationally that number was 1.26. Considering the size of this state, it’s pretty remarkable how low these numbers are.

It’s possible that with the convenience of mass transit also helps keep the number of urban traffic fatalities down each year in Boston. However, the city and all it has to offer will always be a constant attraction for those out-of-state tourists who travel on unfamiliar urban roadways to take in a little piece of history year after year.

A helpful tip to tourist visiting Massachusetts or the Boston area, check out the visitor information centers located throughout the state. They are there to offer help with driving and hot spots located throughout the state. These centers are open seven days a week during peak times of the year but many have reduced operating schedules during the less traveled winter months.
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