Georgia Injury Law Blog

More and more Atlantans are thinking twice before texting while driving, thanks to a new Georgia law that bans text messaging at the wheel.However, Atlanta auto accident lawyers know for a fact that many Atlantans think nothing of driving with an unrestrained or unsecured pet in the car.

According to a new survey conducted by the American Automobile Association, four out of every five dog owners drive with their pet in the car.One in three of these admit that the pet is a major distraction.Only 17% of the dog owners in the survey use restraints or dog barriers while driving.Pets can be a huge distraction while driving, and considering that we are a country of dog lovers, it is surprising that there hasn’t been a more intense spotlight on securing dogs while driving.

A CBS report has more information for dog owners who would like to secure their dogs safely in their cars, but don’t know where to look.There are plenty of safety devices out there, from safety barriers, to dog safety seatbelts and dog booster seats.Seatbelts are ideal for large-size dogs, while booster seats are better for small-sized dogs.Besides, there are hammocks and dog personal restraint systems that can help secure your dog, and prevent him from falling when you apply the brakes.Securing a dog with seatbelts will prevent him from jumping out the window, always a concern for anyone driving with a dog in the car.

As Atlanta injury attorney I often notice people using cell phones while driving almost every day as we drive to work.Such behaviors significantly increase their risk of an auto accident, including those that result in serious personal injury.Unfortunately, this isn’t just a fad that affects the young and teen drivers, but a dangerous phenomenon that also touches most motorists.This April, the focus will be on minimizing the number of accidents every year in Georgia caused due to distracted driving, as national and local transportation safety agencies mark National Distracted Driving Month. Reducing distracted driving is probably one of the best ways to decrease the overall number of car accidents in Atlanta and throughout Georgia.

April was set as National Distracted Driving Month through a special move by Congress, and across the country including Georgia, state and local transportation agencies will mark the month with special efforts to crack down on distracted drivers, and raise awareness about these practices.While much of the focus on distracted drivers this month is likely to be on those using cell phones while driving, there are all kinds of other distractions that increase the risk of an accident.In fact, some studies estimate that approximately 80% of all accidents are caused by some kind of distractions.These include motorists using cell phones, texting, changing radio stations, snacking, reading newspapers, applying makeup, and performing any other activities that take their eyes away from the road and their hands off the steering wheel.

However, the risk from the use of cell phones and other electronic communication devices while driving is especially greater, because cell phones can be found in almost every car.Besides, in a tough economy, American workers have felt under greater pressure than ever to constantly stay in touch with the office 24/7, even while they’re driving. There is also an entire section of Atlanta’s population that has been raised on Facebook and MySpace. For these drivers, not being in touch with their friends 24/7 via smart phone is, quite simply, unthinkable.

Since the Bluffton University bus accident in Atlanta in 2007, Atlanta bus accident attorneys have been calling for greater use of technology to prevent bus accidents and reduce the severity of injuries.It certainly looks like we have been on the right track all along.The National Transportation Safety Board this week said that although technology that could prevent bus accidents exists, federal regulators have failed to act to implement their use. As an Atlanta injury lawyer, I applaud the NTSB’s criticism of federal regulators.

The National Transportation Safety Board comments came as Atlanta bus accident lawyers and bus safety advocates from around the country have been increasing calls for stronger bus safety regulations by the federal legislation.Those calls came in the aftermath of a deadly bus accident in New York in March that resulted in the wrongful death of 15 people.The bus, a low-budget carrier transferring passengers to a casino in Connecticut, was on its way back to Chinatown, when it skidded, flipped over, and crashed into a sign pole.The impact sliced the bus into two, killing 14 passengers almost immediately, while the last passenger died in the hospital a few days later.

This week, the National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah Hersmann had stinging criticism for the bus industry, which that has lagged behind in providing safety to its passengers.Deriding the state of American bus safety, Hersmann said that her minivan came with more advanced safety features than most buses on American roads.

For years now, the intersection of Newnan Road and Olympic Dr. in Carroll County Georgia has been one of the most dangerous intersections in the state.For the past five years alone, this intersection has been the scene of more than 50 auto accidents.These accidents have resulted in one wrongful death and at least 15 other personal injuries.Finally, construction work to enhance safety at the intersection and make it safer, has begun. As an Atlanta injury lawyer, although we are glad to see the intersection improved, we are disappointed that it took over 50 car accidents for the work to finally begin.

The Carroll County Board of Commissioners had voted back in November to move forward with a construction project that would allow for a smoother flow of traffic around what is normally a very busy intersection.This would not only facilitate easy movement of traffic, but also reduce the number of accidents that occur at this intersection.However, work was delayed because of power and utility companies that had to move lines from the area.Last week, AT&T completed the process of moving its cable lines, and now, construction work can finally go ahead.

Making this intersection safer for all residents of Carroll County has been a challenge.There have been several efforts made to calm traffic in this area, and reduce the risk of accidents.However, many of these initiatives had been shot down by transportation authorities.The Georgia Department of Transportation, for instance, rejected calls for a traffic light and a roundabout at the intersection amid concerns about traffic backup and other issues.