Recent Blog Posts in April 2009

Recently the New York State Senate passed a bill allowing cameras to be placed at many intersections throughout NYS. These cameras are intended to greatly reduce the number of people running red lights, which will reduce the number of accidents.

The Institute of Highway Safety reports that since cameras were placed at various intersections throughout New York City, drivers running red lights dropped 40% and t-bone accidents dropped by 32%.

Unfortunately, research also shows an increase in the number of rear-end collisions. These collisions are occurring as a result of drivers slamming on their brakes to avoid being ticketed for running the red light.

Although, safety officials are not pleased with the increase in rear-end accidents, they conclude that far fewer serious injuries accidents have resulted.

Cellino & Barnes represents many clients who have suffered serious injuries in rear-end collision accidents. Although placing cameras at intersections is reducing t-bone accidents and saving lives, people need to be aware that there remains a risk for serious injury.

This bill will permit cameras to be placed at intersections on Long Island and in Yonkers, Rochester, Syracuse and Buffalo.

Spring and motorcycle season is here. It is time for many of us to hit the open road once again. Before you do, we suggest you review some important safety tips, that may help keep you safe this season.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 5,100 people died in motorcycle crashes in 2007. This alarming statistic is the highest level since the Department of Transportation began collecting data in 1975.

Many bikers take precautions to avoid accidents, but even when all safety precautions have been made, other driver's make mistakes that cause serious injuries. An Arkansas man lost his leg as a result of an inattentive driver; a Florida man lost his life when a tractor-trailer turned left into his right of way; and a New York man suffered a traumatic brain injury when the defendant driver ran a red light.

We have New York attorneys on staff who ride motorcycles. They understand first hand how easily a motorcycle accident can happen and have seen the road through your eyes. There is no way to completely eliminate the risk, even for the most skilled bikers. Please stay alert and ride defensively.

A California woman has been sentenced to six years in prison for killing a driver of another vehicle in a multi-car accident. The woman was texting while driving and crashed into a line of stopped cars, causing the accident which resulted in one death.

Even though we are all aware of the dangers of texting while driving, texting has become one of the most dangerous distractions for our nation's drivers.

In 2007, five New York high school cheerleaders were killed, when the driver was texting and crossed the center line crashing into an oncoming vehicle. The problem continues to grow. In fact, reports indicate that nearly 50 percent of teenagers admit to texting while driving.

According to the National Highway Transportation Authority, almost 80 percent of car crashes in the United States are caused by distracted drivers.

Presently, the NHTSA has no policy in place regarding text messaging while driving. However, a few states have banned texting while driving, and a ban is scheduled to go into effect in Westchester County, New York this spring.