State College, Pennsylvania Legal Blog

Pennsylvania residents should know that there are three types of distractions they can experience while driving: cognitive, visual and manual distractions. While calling, texting and using in-vehicle technology can raise the risk for a crash, the same goes for activities like eating, changing the radio station and talking with passengers. Distracted driving crashes kill nine people and injure at least 100 every day in the U.S.

There have been efforts to raise awareness of the risk associated with distracted driving, but many people continue to engage in it despite this knowledge. A 2016 study showed that nearly 50% of drivers will call, send or receive a text, look up directions or check social media while behind the wheel. While there are safety features that can alert drivers when they are found to be distracted, these are not always effective. This is where AI comes in.

During the holiday season, there may come a time when you pack your bags, load up your family and hit the road. As exciting as a holiday road trip can be, it's every bit as dangerous if you don't know how to protect yourself (and even if you do).

Here are five of the best holiday road trip safety tips you can follow:

• Prepare your vehicle: From changing the oil to checking your tire pressure, make sure your vehicle is ready for the miles that lie ahead. Neglecting to do so increases the risk of a breakdown, as well as an accident.
• Follow the rules of the road: For example, you may be running behind schedule, which leads you to consider driving faster than the speed limit. Violating the rules of the road increases the likelyhood of a moving violation, as well as an accident.
• Get enough sleep before leaving home: Depending on the length of your trip, it may be necessary to bank plenty of sleep before you hit the road. Embarking on a road trip when you're tired and drowsy is extremely dangerous.
• Avoid distractions: There's a lot going on inside and outside your vehicle, but it's up to you to avoid these distractions at all costs. This can include but is not limited to eating, drinking, texting, talking on the phone, conversing with passengers and checking on children (and maybe even pets) in the back seat.
• Prepare for emergencies: What will you do if your car breaks down? What will you do if another driver causes an accident? What steps will you take if a passenger becomes ill? When you prepare for everything, you're able to efficiently and effectively deal with anything.

Despite an employer's best safety efforts, a work accident can occur on a job site. Companies in Pennsylvania and throughout the country may reduce the odds of an accident occurring by implementing a safety plan. This plan could include making sure that floors are dry or that ripped carpeting is removed as quickly as possible. Employees and customers should be warned about any hazardous conditions that could exist in a store or a parking garage.

A business could reduce its liability by simply attempting to mitigate a dangerous condition such as poor lighting or a wet floor. Accident victims may be partially or fully responsible for any injuries that they incur while on company property. This may be true if they failed to notice a wet floor sign or were otherwise acting in a careless manner when they were hurt.

The year 2017 saw a 10-year high in the number of deaths arising from red-light running crashes. The total came to 939 people, and in most cases, it was not the offending driver who died. Pennsylvania residents, whether they are drivers, pedestrians or bicyclists, will want to know how they can prevent themselves from becoming the victim of a reckless, impatient or distracted driver.

The first step is for residents to avoid distractions themselves. Drivers should not use their phones. If they look down for five seconds, drivers can virtually travel the length of a football field before looking up again. Pedestrians and cyclists should not wear headphones, which will reduce their attention to their surroundings.