Passenger Vans Require Special Care

Passenger vans are inherently dangerous for a number of reasons. The driver of a passenger van carrying young children owes a special duty of care to transport the children safely and without incident. A three-vehicle accident in Memphis on Friday shows just what can happen when the driver allows himself to be distracted.

Facts about what happened are somewhat sketchy in the local media report but the comment of a 6-year-old male passenger tells the story. The young man said that the driver wasn’t paying attention, that he was just driving along talking on his cell phone when the accident happened. None of the children were hurt but occupants of the two other cars were transported to local hospitals.

Federal regulations prohibit commercial drivers from talking on cell phones when in motion, but I think this driver has bigger problems when his employer reviews his actions.

The lesson here, is that cell phone use distracts a driver and a cell phone distracted driver, according to studies, is a just as distracted as a legally drunk driver. Put the phone down and if you need to take or make a call, pull over and get out of traffic.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee traffic accident involving a passenger van contact the experienced Nashville personal injury lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates. Call 615-356-2000.

Distractions Kill

National Transportation Safety Board

Office of Public Affairs

December 13, 2011

Following today’s Board meeting on the 2010 multi-vehicle highway accident in Gray Summit, Missouri, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for the first-ever nationwide ban on driver use of personal electronic devices (PEDs) while operating a motor vehicle.

The safety recommendation specifically calls for the 50 states and the District of Columbia to ban the nonemergency use of portable electronic devices (other than those designed to support the driving task) for all drivers. The safety recommendation also urges use of the NHTSA model of high-visibility enforcement to support these bans and implementation of targeted communication campaigns to inform motorists of the new law and heightened enforcement.

“According to NHTSA, more than 3,000 people lost their lives last year in distraction-related accidents”, said Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. “It is time for all of us to stand up for safety by turning off electronic devices when driving.”

“No call, no text, no update, is worth a human life.”

On August 5, 2010, on a section of Interstate 44 in Gray Summit, Missouri, a pickup truck ran into the back of a truck-tractor that had slowed due to an active construction zone. The pickup truck, in turn, was struck from behind by a school bus. That school bus was then hit by a second school bus that had been following. As a result, two people died and 38 others were injured.

The NTSB’s investigation revealed that the pickup driver sent and received 11 text messages in the 11 minutes preceding the accident. The last text was received moments before the pickup struck the truck-tractor.

The Missouri accident is the most recent distraction accident the NTSB has investigated. However, the first investigation involving distraction from a wireless electronic device occurred in 2002, when a novice driver, distracted by a conversation on her cell phone, veered off the roadway in Largo, Maryland, crossed the median, flipped the car over, and killed five people.

Since then, the NTSB has seen the deadliness of distraction across all modes of transportation.

In 2004, an experienced motorcoach driver, distracted on his hands-free cell phone, failed to move to the center lane and struck the underside of an arched stone bridge on the George Washington Parkway in Alexandria, Virginia. Eleven of the 27 high school students were injured;

In the 2008 collision of a commuter train with a freight train in Chatsworth, California, the commuter train engineer, who had a history of using his cell phone for personal communications while on duty, ran a red signal while texting. That train collided head on with a freight train – killing 25 and injuring dozens;

In 2009, two airline pilots were out of radio communication with air traffic control for more than an hour because they were distracted by their personal laptops. They overflew their destination by more than 100 miles, only realizing their error when a flight attendant inquired about preparing for arrival.

In Philadelphia in 2010, a barge being towed by a tugboat ran over an amphibious “duck” boat in the Delaware River, killing two Hungarian tourists. The tugboat mate failed to maintain a proper lookout due to repeated use of a cell-phone and laptop computer;

In 2010, near Munfordville, Kentucky, a truck-tractor in combination with a 53-foot-long trailer, left its lane, crossed the median and collided with a 15-passenger van. The truck driver failed to maintain control of his vehicle because he was distracted by use of his cell-phone. The accident resulted in 11 fatalities

In the last two decades, there has been exponential growth in the use of cell-phone and personal electronic devices. Globally, there are 5.3 billion mobile phone subscribers or 77 percent of the world population. In the United States, that percentage is even higher – it exceeds 100 percent.

Further, a Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study of commercial drivers found that a safety-critical event is 163 times more likely if a driver is texting, e-mailing, or accessing the Internet.

“The data is clear; the time to act is now. How many more lives will be lost before we, as a society, change our attitudes about the deadliness of distractions?” Hersman said.

If you or a loved one is seriously injured or killed in a Nashville auto accident caused by a distracted driver contact the experienced Nashville personal injury accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates. Call 615-320-2000.

Avoid Distracted Driving

During the holiday season I can’t say enough about avoiding driving distractions. Nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involved some form of driver inattention within three seconds before the event. The only way we are going to change the culture of distracted driving is for each one of us to commit to making a conscious effort to avoid multi-tasking when we drive.

Multi-tasking is a fact of life – we all face constant demands for our time, and we all have to juggle more than ever before. Unfortunately, many people try to multi-task while driving, which is NEVER a good idea. In fact, a recent study by the University of Utah has reconfirmed that our brains are simply not wired to multi-task. Being distracted behind the wheel for even just a few seconds greatly increases your chance of a crash. Distracted driving contributes to up to 8,000 crashes every single day – the facts speak for themselves.

Distraction from the primary task of driving could present a serious and potentially deadly danger. In 2008, 5,870 people lost their lives and an estimated 515,000 people were injured in police-reported crashes in which at least one form of driver distraction was reported on the crash report. While these numbers are signi!cant, they may not state the true size of the problem, since the identification of distraction and its role in the crash by law enforcement can be very difficult.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Nashville automobile accident caused by a distracted driver you owe it to yourself to contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation to find out about your rights and remedies. Call 615-356-2000.

One Has To Stay Alert

As an experienced Nashville tractor-trailer lawyer, I doubt that the fact that the driver didn’t have his seat belt secured would have made a life or death difference in a fatal roadway departure crash late Sunday night. The truck was traveling east on I-40 when the truck ran into the median between I-40 and I-81 and struck the end of a guardrail.  The truck continued on and then struck a bridge pillar. My prayers go out to the family and friends of this unfortunate man.

Local media reports say that the police investigating the crash don’t believe that drugs or alcohol was a factor in the death of the 60-year-old Ohio driver. Three possible causes that come to mind, either the driver fell asleep at the wheel, had a medical emergency, or was distracted by an electronic device like a cell phone, CB radio or was eating.

Multi-tasking is a fact of life, we all face constant demands for our time, and we all have to juggle more than ever before. Being distracted behind the wheel for even just a few seconds greatly increases your chance of a crash. Distracted driving contributes to up to 8,000 crashes every single day, the facts speak for themselves.

When you are driving at less than full attention you are putting your life, those of your passengers and other drivers and pedestrians at risk. If you or a loved one are injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident caused by a distracted driver contact the experienced Nashville car accident lawyers at Phillip Miler & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies.

Avoid Distractions While Driving

Early morning interstate driving in Nashville can become dangerous if the drivers are not completely focused on the task at hand. This warning proved true the other day when a vehicle had broken down on I-40 and was struck by another car.

Either because the next driver was following too close or was somehow distracted he was unable to avoid colliding with car number two and swerved into another lane to avoid the collision and slammed into a school bus. None of the students on board were hurt, but two people in the cars suffered non-life threatening injuries.

As an experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney the main question is what were each of these drivers doing in the two seconds before their vehicle crashed? Statistics show that nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involve some form of driver inattention within three seconds before the event.  Primary causes of driver inattention are distracting activities, such as cell phone use, and drowsiness.

The lesson here for Nashville drivers is to keep your eyes on the road and your head in the game at all times, especially when you are driving on an interstate highway in morning rush hour.

If you are involved in a Tennessee automobile accident caused by a distracted driver you are going to need an experienced and sophisticated Nashville auto accident attorney like those you will find at Phillip Miller & Associates. Call 615-356-2000

Distractions Kill

As Nashville personal injury lawyers we have become so aware of the dangers of distracted driving. The major focus of the anti-distraction movement is aimed at cell phone use while driving. Another important area that is often overlooked is using electronic devices for listening to music with iPods and ear buds.

The other day, I read an article discussing this very issue. Later in the day I was driving out to the scene of an accident to meet my investigator in Dickson County Tennessee and I started noticing the number of people who were driving with iPods using ear buds. I was amazed at how many drivers were cruising the highways totally disconnected from the world around them.

Together we are driving, in traffic, at a speed of 75 MPH, and these people are not even present. It kind of creeped me out and I slowed down and moved to the right lane. The National Safety Council recently announced that it estimates at least 28% of all traffic accidents, at least 1.6 million crashes per year are caused by drivers using cell phones. NSC estimates that 1.4 million crashes each year are caused by drivers using cell phones and a minimum of 200,000 additional crashes each year are caused by drivers who are texting.

What is the difference in using a device like an MP3 that blocks out your ability to hear things going on a round you? The answer is “none”. When you buckle yourself into the cockpit of your vehicle the next time you head out on the highways and byways of Tennessee, stop, look and listen before you plug in those ear buds.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Nashville automobile accident caused by a distracted driver, contact the experienced Nashville personal injury lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates. Call 615-356-2000.

Itasca, IL – The National Safety Council today released a series of short videos, “Understanding Distracted Driving,” to address the most frequently asked questions about cell phone use while driving. The videos, featuring NSC Senior Director of Transportation Initiatives David Teater, are free to download or are available to businesses and the public via YouTube.

Cell Phone Use And Driving Don't Mix

In short, two- to three-minute clips, Teater answers 12 questions, including why cell phones are a particularly dangerous distraction, and explains the science behind cognitive distraction. The videos also address how employers can protect their employees with workplace policies.

Teater’s 12-year-old son Joe was killed in a motor vehicle collision in 2004. The driver who caused the crash was distracted by a cell phone. Prior to joining NSC, Teater’s 30-year business career included serving as CEO of a research and strategy firm that provided consulting services to most auto manufacturers. He is a frequent speaker on the topic of distracted driving, has testified before the U.S. Congress and has appeared before several state legislatures to advocate for restrictions on cell phone use while driving.

“Cell phone use and driving are a dangerous, and oftentimes deadly, combination,” Teater said. “The resources NSC has developed explain why this behavior is so dangerous and provide solutions on how to go about changing behaviors to make our roadways safer.”

The videos are part of a larger strategy developed by NSC to end cell phone distracted driving. NSC is helping U.S. organizations of all sizes implement and strengthen corporate cell phone policies, and has made available a cell phone policy kit, which is free on the NSC website. Additionally, “Understanding the Distracted Brain,” an NSC white paper, shares research about why a cell phone conversation causes such an intense mental distraction to drivers.

In 2009, NSC was the first national organization to call for a total ban on cell phone use while driving. Since then, NSC has worked with the public, business leaders and elected officials to stop cell phone use behind the wheel, a dangerous behavior that contributes to thousands of deaths each year.

For this and other important Tennessee Highway Safety information visit the website of Phillip Miller & Associates or call 615-356-2000.

Distractions Can Kill

I thought I’d share these tips from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

1. PLAN AHEAD.  Read maps and check traffic conditions before you get on the road.

2. STOW ELECTRONIC DEVICES.  Turn off your phone before you drive so you won’t be tempted to use it while on the road. Pull over to a safe place to talk on the phone or to send and receive text messages or emails.

3. PREPARE KIDS AND PETS FOR THE TRIP.  Get the kids safely buckled in and situated with snacks and entertainment before you start driving. If they need additional attention during the trip, pull off the road safely to care for them.  Similarly, prepare and secure pets appropriately in your vehicle before getting underway.

4. SATISFY THAT CRAVING OFF THE ROAD.  Eat meals and snacks before getting behind the wheel, or stop to eat and take a break if driving long-distance.

5. STORE LOOSE GEAR AND POSSESSIONS.  Stash away loose objects that could roll around and take your attention away from driving.

6. GET YOUR VEHICLE ROAD-READY.  Adjust seat positions, climate controls, sound systems and other devices before you leave or while your vehicle is stopped.  Make sure your headlights are spotless so you can see everything on the road and every other driver can see you better. Keep your windshield clean and remove dangling objects that could block your view.

7. DRESS FOR SUCCESS – BEFORE YOU GET IN THE CAR.  Your car isn’t a dressing room.  Brush your hair, shave, put on make-up, and tie your necktie before you leave or once you reach your destination.

8. GET YOUR BRAIN IN THE GAME.  Focus on the task at hand – driving safely. Scan the road, use mirrors and practice identifying orally what you just saw to enhance your engagement as a driver. Keeping your head ‘in the game’ behind the wheel will help you improve your overall awareness and behavior as a driver. AAA offers classroom and online defensive driving courses that directly address distracted driving and offer tips for for avoiding these behaviors.

9. EVALUATE YOUR OWN BEHAVIOR FROM THE ‘OTHER’ SIDE OF THE ROAD.  When you’re on the road as a passenger or a pedestrian, take a look around and honestly evaluate whether you engage in poor driving behaviors that worry you when observed in other passengers or pedestrians.

10. USE NEW TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE YOU A BETTER DRIVER.  Sharpen your ability to respond quickly to risks on the road. The AAA Foundation recommends all drivers improve their reaction times and managing attention on the road by using DriveSharp, a computer program proven to improve reaction time and stopping distances. With quicker responses, you can avoid the distracted driver who might end up in your lane.

If you are a loved one is injured or killed by a careless driver contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and AAA are concerned about your safety on our nation’s roads. That’s why for the third straight year we are calling on drivers to eliminate distractions in the car during Heads Up Driving Week. From October 2nd – 8th, we want drivers to put away distractions and focus only on the road. Multi-tasking is undoubtedly a regular activity for most people but it is critical that we remind ourselves of the most important task behind the wheel – driving safely. Please – try it for a week – do it for life. Share the message, spread the word, and help us create safer roads for everyone.

Distracted driving contributes to up to 8,000 crashes every single day – the facts speak for themselves:

• More than one million people have died in car crashes over the past 25 years in the U.S., with 33,788 lives lost in 2010 alone.
• Drivers spend more than half their time behind the wheel engaged in distracted behavior.
• Using a cell phone while driving quadruples your risk of crashing.
• Eating, smoking, adjusting music or rubbernecking while driving can be just as dangerous as texting, emailing or talking on a cell phone.
• Passengers are one of the most frequently reported causes of distraction, with young children being four times more distracting than adults and infants being eight times more distracting.

A majority of drivers – 94% – agree that texting or emailing while driving is unacceptable and 87% support laws against reading, typing or sending text messages or emails while driving, according to the AAA Foundation’s 2011 Traffic Safety Culture Index, yet more than one-third of drivers reported texting or emailing while driving in the previous month. This “do as I say, not as I do” attitude is one of the greatest obstacles preventing us from improving safety on our roads.

Multi-tasking is a fact of life – we all face constant demands for our time, and we all have to juggle more now than ever before. Unfortunately, many people try to multi-task while driving, which is NEVER a good idea. In fact, a recent study by the University of Utah has reconfirmed that our brains are simply not wired to multi-task.  Being distracted behind the wheel for even just a few seconds greatly increases your chance of a crash. Take a look at our 10 quick and easy ways to minimize distractions to keep yourself and all of us safer on the roads.

It’s time that we all stop ignoring the facts and take action to change our roads. The first step is changing our own attitudes, and more importantly driving our own behaviors.  Distracted driving is the cause of thousands of preventable injuries each year and has cost many families the life of a loved one. You can start solving the problem by pledging to change your own behavior and drive distraction-free from now on and then sharing this pledge with friends and family.

For more information on distracted driving visit the website of the experienced Nashville automobile accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates, or call 615-356-2000.

Distracted Drivers Kill And Die

Statistics show that nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involve some form of driver inattention within three seconds before the event.  Primary causes of driver inattention are distracting activities, such as cell phone use, and drowsiness.

The National Safety Council has compiled a series of excellent videos that explain distracted driving. Go to this link to view these videos. If you or a loved one is injured or killed by a distracted Tennessee driver, visit the website of the experienced Nashville personal injury lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates for a free consultation. Call 615-356-2000.