Articles Posted in Automobile Accidents

According to a RAND study released July 17th, drivers age 65 and older are one-third as likely as drivers age 15-24 to cause automobile accidents. Researchers found in 2001 that drivers 65 years of age and older accounted for about 15 percent of all licensed drivers in the United States, but only 7 percent of all accidents. Drivers aged 15-24 accounted for around 13 percent of all licensed drivers and caused about 43% of accidents. “Not only do seniors drive much less that younger drivers, they drive at safer times during the day and avoid poorer road conditions” said David Loughran, the lead author of the study. Loughran goes on to say that young drivers pose the greatest risk to traffic safety while seniors who drive pose the greatest risk to themselves. The study adds that seniors who drive are generally in poorer health and are frailer then younger drivers. It also says that older driver’s are seven times more likely to be killed during a two car accident.

The study projects that by the year 2025 drivers 65 and older will represent 25 percent of the driving population. In response to the aging driving population many states have imposed more rigorous age based licensing requirements for older drivers. Only two states thus far, Illinois and New Hampshire require older drivers to take road tests. However, many state legislators are continuing to consider tightening the licensing requirements for older drivers. The RAND study concludes that instead of imposing stringent age based licensing requirements, states should improve car and road design to make travel safer for older drivers. The study says that the new age based requirements would be costly to both states and seniors and the benefits of doing so have not yet been validated.

RAND is a leading non-profit research organization who provides objective analysis and solutions to the public and government agencies. For more information and access to RAND’s entire report titled “Regulating Older Drivers: Are New Policies Needed?” please visit their website at www.rand.org.

A father and his infant baby were taken to the hospital July 7th after their vehicle hit a pole while fleeing a road raged driver. The incident began when the two drivers’ were involved in an accident on South Gold Street in Centralia. Reportedly, one of the drivers exited their car and began yelling at the second driver. The hostile driver kicked the other’s car and even threatened to shoot. The second driver, with his 8 month old child in the car, attempted to get away from the aggressive driver by leaving the scene and running a red light. The hostile driver followed the fleeing car. The two vehicles were reportedly seen ramming each other’s cars. The chase ended when the fleeing driver either lost control or was forced off the road hitting a light pole. Both the father and his baby were treated and released from a local hospital. Police later found the hostile driver’s vehicle and arrested the driver and her passenger for second degree assault and reckless endangerment.

Article Source:http://www.komotv.com/news/local/8380277.html

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries caused by rear end collisions. Considering that there is a rear end crash every 17 seconds in the United States, according to Consumer Reports, it is unfortunate that most vehicles offer little protection against such injuries. Most whiplash injuries could be prevented or minimized with better head restraints and seatbelts. However, even if a vehicle has proper head restraints and seat belts, most people don’t know how to properly position them and do not take the time to do it.

Whiplash, the rapid snapping back of someone’s head during a collision, hyperextends and can damage nerves and ligaments in the neck. There are roughly 2 million reports of whiplash every year and an estimated 200,000 of these are serious enough to cause long term problems. In order to protect yourself, one must make sure that the seat/head restraint combo is properly positioned so that your torso, neck, and head move in the same plane. Good positioning of the head restraint is critical. Studies have shown that drivers tend to have the restraint positioned too low. The top of the restraint should reach at least to the top of your ears and be 3 inches or less behind the back of your head. Most vehicles have head restraints that are adjustable. However, they are only effective when the driver or passenger takes the time to adjust them properly.

Article Source: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/safety-recalls/rear-collisions-8-07/overview/0708_collide_ov.htm

A bicyclist was struck by a truck in Gig Harbor on July 5th. The 58 year old woman was riding her 10 speed bicycle at about 11:30am when a furniture moving truck hit her. Paramedics were transporting Lavick to Madigan Army Hospital when they confirmed her death. The driver of the moving truck passed a field sobriety test at the scene. The accident is still under investigation by the State Patrol.

Articl Source: http://www.komotv.com/news/local/8345692.html

Seven people were injured and one was killed June 19th when a water supply truck lost control and hit eight pedestrians. The truck accident happened around 4 p.m. at the intersection of SR 522 and 73rd Ave NE in Kenmore. Brian Stambuk, a witness to the accident, stated that a front-loader was stopped a traffic light. When the light turned green it entered the intersection to turn left and was struck by a water supply truck. The water supply truck lost control and struck pedestrians who had just gotten off a bus. The truck ended up smashing into a light pole.

The most seriously injured, a 33 year old man, the 20 year old driver of the water supply truck, and a 58 year old woman taken to Harborview Medical Center. They were reported to have not life-threatening injuries. The rest of the victims were rushed to other area hospitals. According to Sambuk, the woman who died was pinned between the water supply truck and the light pole. SR 522 was closed down for most of the evening for investigation.

Source: http://www.komotv.com/news/8079487.html

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released research that indicated the odds of being killed in a motor vehicle accident are three times higher at night. At night is also when seat belt usage significantly declines. In order to combat these statistics, the annual Click It or Ticket campaign will focus on nighttime seat belt use. The campaign, supported by a $30 million state and national advertising campaign, will take place between May 21st and June 3rd.

A study conducted by the NHTSA found that between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. more than 15,000 people traveling in motor vehicles died in traffic accidents in 2005. Two thirds of those killed were not wearing their seat belts at the time. According to the study, seat belt usage is about 10 percent lower during nighttime hours compared to the nationwide average of 82 percent daytime seat belt use.

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According to Mary E. Peters, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, traffic deaths were down slightly in 2006 in preliminary figures. The projected figures indicate that traffic deaths declined nationwide from 43,443 in 2005 to 43,300 in 2006. According to statistics, over half of the occupants who were killed in these accidents died while not wearing their seatbelts. The Secretary noted that police officers around the country are on patrol looking for people who aren’t buckled up. The United States Department of Transportation gives states millions of dollars yearly in support of highway safety. This includes the nearly $27 million dollars used for seat belt enforcement.

Preliminary figures indicate that the 2006 fatality rate is 1.44 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. This figure is down from 1.45 in 2005. Injuries from motor vehicle accidents also dropped from 2.7 million in 2005 to 2.54 million in 2006, a nearly 6 percent drop. Pedestrian deaths dropped from 4,881 to 4,768 deaths and large truck accidents dropped from 5,212 to 5,018. Not all the figures declined though. Alcohol related fatalities increased 2.4 percent to 17,941 deaths. The United States Department of Transportation collects the crash statistics from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The final report will be available at the end of summer.

Article Source: http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot5307.htm

Early Tuesday morning police arrested a Bellevue man after he caused a crash on Interstate 90 and fled the scene. According to the Washington State Patrol, Phillip Vandenberg, 37, was driving his Audi westbound on I-90 at a high rate of speed when he rear ended a Ford Explorer at the exit ramp to I-405. The Ford Explorer crashed into both shoulder barriers and then rolled over several times. The driver of the Explorer suffered cuts on his face while his passenger suffered a broken arm and some internal injuries. Vandenberg was not injured in the crash and proceeded to walk away from the scene. Police found him under the ramp of the overpass. Reportedly he still had his car keys in his pocket. When the police inspected Vandenberg’s vehicle they noted that the speedometer was stuck at 110 mph. Vandenberg was arrested for DUI/Vehicular Assault and Hit and Run.

Source Article: Http://www.komotv.com/news/local/7853582.html

According to Washington State’s child restraint law, if you are driving someone 16 years of age and younger in a vehicle, it is your responsibility to make sure the passenger is properly buckled up. If your passengers are not properly secured, a ticket can be issued for each unbuckled or improperly buckled child. These tickets can cost at least $112. Here are some helpful tips to use when securing your young passengers:

-A child must use a restraint (an infant seat, child safety seat, or a booster seat) until their 8th birthday, unless the child is already 4 feet 9 inches tall (which ever comes first).

-When a child reaches their 8th birthday or is already 4 feet 9 inches tall, you need to check that the safety belt properly fits the child. There are 5 things you should look for:
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A fatal hit and run accident occurred Tuesday afternoon when an unidentified vehicle hit an elderly woman crossing a Burien street. The 81 year old woman was crossing at a marked crosswalk in the 13500 block of Ambaum Boulevard when a mid-90’s tan or gold Lincoln Town Car collided with her. The woman, who has not yet been identified, died at the scene. Anyone with information on the driver or vehicle involved in this pedestrian accident is asked to please call 911.

Source Article: www.komotv.com/news/7519342.html