Those who travel by bicycle in Costa Mesa or in other parts of Orange County need to be aware that the whole country is experiencing a bit of an epidemic of fatalities related to hit-and-run accidents. For its part, our state does not fare well in terms of hit-and-run deaths, as it ranks among the states with the highest rates of hit-and-run fatalities. On average, we see about 2.0 hit-and-run fatalities per 100,000 residents. Other states have rates as low as .19 per 100,000 residents.
Be careful when approaching California intersections
If you drive often on California roadways, you know how busy they can be. Perhaps, you've had a few close calls where you felt lucky just to make it safely to your destination. High traffic volume and fast-moving paces make for stressful travel, to be sure. Some road areas are more dangerous than others are, such as merge ramps and intersections.
More bad news for electric scooter distributers
As readers of our blog know, we have been following recent stories about safety concerns surrounding the electric scooters that many residents of Orange County have seen zipping around Los Angeles and its many suburbs and satellite cities. The latest story involves another recall. Lime, one of the distributers of these scooters, recently announced that it was pulling several vehicles from the streets based on concerns that the scooters could suddenly break apart from underneath the feet of their riders.
A tired driver could be a threat to your safety
As California readers know, there are various types of behavior that can lead to an increased chance of a car accident. Drunk driving, speeding and distracted driving are all common behaviors that pose a risk for every person on the road. You may not consider fatigue to be as dangerous as these other things, but it is also a leading cause for motor vehicle accidents.
Lime pulls scooters due to potential fire hazard
A previous post on this blog talked about some of the dangers the electric scooters one can now find zipping around Los Angeles and its Orange County satellite cities present both to riders and to other members of the public. To follow up on that post, Lime, one of the major distributors of these scooters, recently pulled thousands of its products from the streets of cities in the area and across the country. Apparently, some of these scooters have a tendency to catch fire, particularly if the casing holding their batteries has been damaged.
Understanding why semitrailer collisions occur
When a large and heavy semitrailer collides with a smaller and lighter vehicle, the consequences can be devastating. Cars and trucks are no match for the size and weight of a fully loaded truck moving at high speeds, and these types of collisions often lead to serious or fatal consequences. Because of these reasons, California truckers have the responsibility of driving safely and responsibly.
Lawsuit filed against electric scooter companies
A previous post on this California blog talked about how the newest transportation trend, electric scooters that pedestrians can pick up and drop off as they travel through crowded areas, poses hazards to riders and those with whom these scooters share the roads and sidewalks. This post mentioned that several people had been injured by these devices, often because they were not equipped with a helmet or because they did not receive instruction about how to operate the device.
Buying a new car? It's probably a four-wheel driving distraction
Technology is supposed to make your life easier, and in some ways, it does. You can stay in touch with people, travel longer distances and entertain yourself more easily than ever before. At the same time, vehicles have become safer and manufacturers now add more technology to their vehicles in order to remain competitive and relevant in the market.
Even with laws, cell phones are tempting to California drivers
Our state is one of a few states that has a law which goes beyond just prohibiting texting and driving. In addition to forbidding instant messaging, checking email and searching online, the law of this state also prohibits drivers even from making conventional phone calls with a handheld device like a smartphone. However, even under the threat of fines, many drivers in this state still cannot resist the occasional phone call or quick check of a text message, even though they are driving. According to one report, Californians typically spend between 16 and 18 percent of their total driving time on their phones.
W. Douglas Easton
Matthew D. Easton
Brian W. Easton
