Cincinnati Personal Injury Law Blog

The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is dangerous for teen drivers on Ohio roads. This is because roads and highways will be busier with inexperienced motorists traveling to parties and vacation destinations. Parents are encouraged to teach their kids about how to stay safe while on the road. For example, parents should talk about the dangers of texting and driving at the same time.

Furthermore, teenagers should never be allowed to drive when they are tired or if they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This is also a good idea for adults who plan on driving. Unfortunately, there may be more drinking going on during summer get-togethers. As teen drivers tend to be less experienced, it may not be safe for them to drive at night or with multiple passengers in the car with them.

The dangers of driving while drowsy are more widely recognized in Ohio and across the country, but new data indicates that people still commonly drive when they're too tired. According to a survey by AAA, nearly a third of respondents said they had driven at least once in the previous month while they were so tired they had trouble keeping their eyes open. It is possible that prescription sleeping pills are contributing to the problem.

Consumer Reports conducted a nationally representative survey and found that 20 percent of American drivers who take sleep aids had driven within 7 hours after taking them. According to a former medical school professor, drowsy driving is nearly impossible to entirely avoid. Due to a lack of public transportation, she said, some drivers have no choice but to drive while tired.

Many people in Ohio have good reason to be concerned about the dangers of drunk driving. In 2017 alone, 10,874 people were killed across the country due to car accidents caused by drunk drivers. Public awareness campaigns and intensified law enforcement activities have all come in response to the drunk driving threat and aim to prevent further roadway fatalities. One automaker is looking in a different direction to find a technological solution to the problem of drunk driving.

Volvo Cars has announced that it plans to launch a semi-autonomous system in its new vehicles in the early 2020s that would allow a car to detect signs of drunk driving and move the vehicle toward safety. The system would include cameras and sensors inside the car that would pick up on indications that the driver may be intoxicated. It would measure indicators like a driver's closed eyes for a long period, failure to move his or her hands on the wheel or a sudden weaving between lanes. Before acting, the system would set off a warning signal. If the driver does not respond, the system would take over. It could slow down the car or even pull it over to the roadside.

When you get behind the wheel of a car to drive, you reasonably expect that you'll safely reach your destination. There is always a certain amount of risk involved in any type of travel, even as a pedestrian. However, if you adhere to Ohio traffic laws and safety regulations, you improve your own safety and the safety of those who share the roads you travel. Then again, you can't control another person's behavior, which means your risk for injury increases if a reckless or negligent driver is nearby.

Even a minor car accident can result in injuries that have long-lasting consequences. Physical pain and discomfort are definitely not the only damages suffered by most accident victims. Your injuries in a car accident may necessitate taking time off work, which can lead to employment problems, as well as economic distress. There are numerous injuries that frequently occur in vehicular collisions. It is a good idea to document any symptoms you have and to seek medical attention, as needed.