Driver's Ed Vehicles Could Be Endangering Teens in Chicago Car Accidents

Your teen driver may be learning to drive in a vehicle that has some of the worst safety ratings. The Chicago Tribune looked into the matter in an attempt to figure out which cars our young drivers are learning in and the results are frightening.

A large number of Chicagoland schools are putting our teens in the driver's seat of vehicles that would likely not adequately protect them in the event of a Chicago car accident.

Our Chicago injury attorneys understand that the type of vehicle that a motorists drives has a significant impact on occupant safety in the event of an accident. Motorists are asked to consider crash and safety ratings before selecting a vehicle to purchase. The make and model of your car can mean the difference between life and death.

After examining the vehicles of 50 schools in the area, the Chicago Tribune discovered the following about driver's education vehicles:

-Safety is hardly ever a top concern for Illinois officials and schools district leaders when selecting a vehicle for students to drive throughout a driver's education course.

-The safety rating of a vehicle in a driver's education program varies widely according to the location of the school.

-Virtually no agency keeps track of the kind of vehicles and the safety rating of the course cars.

-Few regulations govern the selection process and the use of these vehicles.

Cars.com examined vehicles that were used for driver's training programs during the 2010 school year and discovered that many of the vehicles completely failed on crash-test scores.

The bottom 10 districts for driver's education vehicle safety:

1.) Chicago Public Schools. Grade: F

2.) Elgin, Ill., U-46. Grade: F

3.) (tie) Township District 214 Grade F

3.) (tie) Vernon Hills, Ill., District 128. Grade: F

5.) Romeoville, Ill., Valley View District 365U. Grade: F

6.) (tie) Hinsdale, Ill., District 86. Grade: F

6.) (tie) Woodstock, Ill., District 200. Grade: F

8.) Warren Township District 121. Grade: D-

9.) (tie) Elmhurst, Ill., District 205. Grade: D+

9.) (tie) Palatine, Ill., Township District 211. Grade: D+

Chicago Public Schools, operated the largest driver's education course in the state. This district reportedly uses vehicles with poor safety ratings. Most of the vehicles used in this program are older than the students.

The top 10 districts for driver's education vehicle safety:

1.) (tie) Bloom Township District 206. Grade: A+

1.) (tie) Orland Park, Ill., Community High School District 230. Grade: A+

3.) Niles, Ill., District 219. Grade: A+

4.) (tie) Lyons Township High School District. Grade: A

4.) (tie) J. Sterling Morton School District 201. Grade: A

6.) Naperville, Ill., District 203. Grade: A

7.) Community High School District 218. Grade: B

8.) Rich Township District 227. Grade: B

9.) (tie) Proviso Township District 209. Grade: B

9.) (tie) Thornton Township District 205. Grade: B

"You don't want these young drivers in cars that don't have air bags or that are 10 or 15 years old and frankly are unsafe," said aid Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Lake Forest.

The average age for vehicles that were used in the 2010 and 2011 school year for these programs was slightly newer than 5-years-old. More than half of the vehicles were purchased after 2009. Nearly 70 percent of the vehicles were purchased by districts after 2006. More than 80 percent of these vehicles we purchased after 2001.

Safety should be a top concern of all district officials. Student drivers need to be equipped with vehicles that have the ability to save a life in the event of an accident. Poorly maintained and aging vehicles are unacceptable for our inexperienced drivers who are already at a high risk for a car accident.

If you or your teen driver has been involved in a car accident, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

More Blog Entries:

Fatigued Drivers Contributing to Risk of Car Accidents in Chicago, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, September 18, 2011

Windy City Drivers Among the Nation's Worst -- Chicago Car Accidents Often Result, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, September 12, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Safe Driver Act of 2011 Could Increase Distracted Driving Laws in Illinois

Posted On: July 1, 2011 by Dave Abels

Illinois is already one of the states in the United States that has banned the use of cell phones by drivers in school and work zones and has banned all drivers from text messaging in an attempt to reduce the frequency of distracted driving car accidents in Illinois, according to the Governors Highway Safety Administration. While many motorists ignore these safe driving laws, they may soon have another force fighting their distracted driving habits. A proposed federal law. Introduced by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., aims to federalize driving and cell phone usage. These types of laws are currently managed by individual states-- and sometimes even cities as is the case with Chicago's cell phone ban.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys hope that this proposed legislation will one day serve as additional ammo in the fight against distracted drivers. The proposed bill would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation to set up a standard for the entire country that would prohibit hand-held cell phone use while driving.

“Driving while making a phone call, texting or using apps can be as dangerous as driving drunk, and much more common,” Rep. McCarthy said. “With some basic commonsense rules that are already in place in some parts of the country, we can reduce injuries and save lives in America.”

There are a few exclusions to this proposed law. Drivers would still be allowed to use voice-operated, vehicle-integrated devices, as well as voice-operated GPS systems. Even though there are cognitive distractions still present with hands-free devices, they pose a much less serious problem than using a hand-held device.

Under the proposed bill, the Department of Transportation would be required to conduct a study on distracted driving. This study would be required to focus on the issue of cognitive distraction and the impact of distraction on newly licensed, young drivers. Within two years of the completed study, the DOT would then be required to report its findings to Congress. Recommendations for revising the minimum distracted driving prohibitions and penalties must accompany this report. These newly proposed minimum distracted driving prohibitions would be mandatory for all states. Each state would then be allotted two years to comply with the law or lose a quarter of their federal highway funding.

Currently, each state is able to create their own laws regulating cell phone and texting use. Some states offer strict laws to prevent distracted driving while others have absolutely no restrictions at all. A majority of states ban teenagers from using cell phones while driving. Texting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle is forbidden in some 30 states. If this proposed bill becomes law, the entire country would be put under a seamless law that would require all motorists to follow it or face the consequences.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 5,500 people died because of car accidents that involved a distracted driver in 2009. These accidents accounted for roughly 1 in 6 of all motor-vehicle accident related fatalities that year.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.

Additional Resources:

Safe Drivers Act of 2011 Introduced to Congress, by Matt Keegan, Auto Trends Magazine

More Blog Entries:

Website Dedicated to Teen Driver Education and Reducing Teen Car Accidents in Illinois, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, June 26, 2011

NHTSA Releases Stats for Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, June 24, 2011

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Study shows Chicago drivers could benefit from reviewing the rules of the road

Over 20 percent of drivers in the United States, approximately 36.9 million of them, would fail a driving test if they had to take one today, Yahoo news is reporting. This is according to a new survey of motorists nationwide done by GMAC Insurance.

Our Chicago injury lawyers note that this statistic is actually an improvement compared to last year, when 38 million drivers were unfit to be on the road. Nationally this year the average score was 77.9%, compared to 76.2% in 2010. The results indicate that many drivers on the road could have dangerous driving habits, which could in turn lead to a higher number of Illinois traffic collisions.

Here are some of the highlights of the survey:

-85% of the drivers in the survey did not know the proper actions to take while approaching a yellow light;

-75% of motorists did not know safe following distances;

-Drivers in the Midwest scored the highest on the test, while drivers in the Northeast scored the lowest;

-The oldest group of drivers tested, ages 60 to 65, scored the highest on the test at 80.3%;

-Wyoming scored the highest of all states, where more than 95% of drivers passed the test; and

- Of major cities, Washington D.C. fared the worst on the test.

The annual GMAC drivers test was given to 5130 drivers from the 50 states. It's a 20 question exam with questions taken from state department of motor vehicles exams.

As a lawyer that has been handling auto accident claims for many years, I can tell you that the results of this test does not surprise me. Every week I deal with personal injury cases where a driver involved either 1. did not know the rules of the road or 2. failed to obey the rules of the road.

Here are some of the rules that are most often violated:

My office often receives phone calls from drivers who have been injured when they failed to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic while making a left turn. They usually have similar excuses, such as the other driver came out of nowhere, or the other driver must have been speeding because otherwise they would have seen them. We always decline these cases. At the same time, we often represent drivers who were injured by motorists who failed to yield while turning left.

Some of the other most common violations I come across would be driving too fast for conditions and following too closely. Usually this rule of the road violation results in the driver rear ending the vehicle in front of them.

Another violation I often deal with, which can be the most deadly, is failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. So often motorists in urban areas are busy looking out for the danger of other vehicles, they forget to keep a proper lookout for pedestrians who are defenseless and can be severely injured by even a light impact.

The same can be said for bicycle accidents. In my experience, drivers turning left will often yield to oncoming motor vehicle traffic and forget to pay attention to bicyclists. Or drivers forget to look for bike riders when opening car doors. Even slow speed bike accidents can result in serious trauma.

If you have been hurt in an Illinois auto accident where another driver failed to obey the rules of the road, contact the Chicago personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes for a free case evaluation. Call 312-475-9595.

Chicago Car Accident Lawyer

Higher Speed Limits in Kansas and Missouri Could Mean More Accident Fatalities

Everything is always bigger in Texas.  At least that’s what they say but if the great state of Texas has it’s way, they’re about to become the fastest, too.  The Texas Senate is scheduled to vote on whether or not to increase speed limits.  If the legislation passes, some Texas highways will see an increase in speed limits to 85 m.p.h.  Some highways are already traveling at 80 m.p.h.

Raising speed limits in Kansas and Missouri may lead to more serious injury accidents and fatalities.

For the record, in Kansas and Missouri, the top speed limit on a highway maxes out at 70, which falls in line for most states in the U.S.

The idea of boosting the speed limits may be a reason for many commuters to celebrate, especially if you’re making the drive from Lawrence to Kansas City or coming in from Platte County.  Being able to kick that needle up a few degrees on the odometer would help you to get to work and home faster.  Besides, most people are speeding already, so why not make it legal?

Here is something that you may not be thinking of though.  Higher speeds could and probably will dramatically increase the number of fatal injury accidents.  Let’s say Kansas and Missouri join the speed coalition and boost the speed limit  to 85.  How many motorists are doing the math to realized they would have to hit the brakes at around 120 feet to come to a complete stop?  That’s assuming your breaks are in tip top shape.  They you have to worry about the guy behind you– and the guy behind him– and the truck driver behind him– and so on and so on.

Our experienced Kansas City Auto Injury Lawyers want to remind you that every year, nearly 11,000 people die in speed related crashes which makes up a shocking 1/3 of all auto injury crashes.  We want you to be safe on the highways.  I-70 can be dangerous enough as it is.  Pushing the speed limit, or making it legal, isn’t going to make the roads any safer.

Drive Safe.  Drive Smart.  Keep our Kansas and Missouri roads safe for everyone.

If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury in an auto accident in Kansas or Missouri, call experienced Kansas City Personal Injury Lawyer James Roswold.  With over 15 years of experience in Auto Injury Accident Attorneys, we might be able to help you through a stressful time.

Contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys to set up a free consultation to discuss your personal injury claim.  You can get started today by downloading our free book, “10 Essential Steps to Protecting Your Injury Claim“.  We want you to know your rights.

Posted by author on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 2:54 pm 
Filed under Aggressive Driving Incidents, Auto Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Unsafe Roads · Tagged with auto injury accident, experienced kansas city auto injury lawyers, increase injury accidents, increased speed limits, kansas speed limits, missouri speed limits, serious injury, speeding

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Higher Speed Limits in Kansas and Missouri Could Mean More Accident Fatalities

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Everything is always bigger in Texas.  At least that’s what they say but if the great state of Texas has it’s way, they’re about to become the fastest, too.  The Texas Senate is scheduled to vote on whether or not to increase speed limits.  If the legislation passes, some Texas highways will see an increase in speed limits to 85 m.p.h.  Some highways are already traveling at 80 m.p.h.

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High Profile Soccer Star Could be at Fault in Crash

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A famous French soccer star was injured last night in France after he lost control of his car and slammed into a fence, said a New York Injury Attorney who was in France this week to assist with the investigation.

The crash occurred yesterday evening at around 9:00, when the footballer, who was in the driver’s seat of a high performance sports car, exited an underpass on the A538 and hit a patch of slick road. The accident took place close to Manchester Airport, although the New York Car Accident Lawyer remarked that air traffic had not been interrupted.

Unbelievably, the man was unharmed by the accident which totaled his Ferarri, and was able to walk away from the scene unaided. Emergency assistance was called to the scene, but he was determined to be uninjured in the crash.

The car was a new Ferarri 458 Italia, which sells new for a whopping $276,000 and tops out at over 200 miles per hour- one of the highest performing vehicles available on the market today.

For the time being, it appears that local police will not press charges. Slick roads and icy conditions outside the tunnel have been pointed to as a likely cause of the accident, although high speeds have not been ruled out as a factor, said the NYC Car Accident Lawyer interviewed for this article. Officials have also remarked that the victim’s celebrity status will not be considered in the investigation.

One New York Injury Lawyer has also suggested that faulty manufacturing could be partly to blame for the accident. Last year, Ferarri issued a recall for all of its 458 models, after a number of cars appeared to spontaneously catch fire. The cause was determined to be a faulty adhesive in the rear wheel wells, which was subsequently corrected.

Others have contended that all manufacturing issues with the Ferrari 458’s have been corrected, citing the large number of recent automotive publications which have strongly endorsed the vehicle. The car involved in the accident has been impounded, and will likely be inspected for evidence of mechanical failure.

Additional details in the case are still unavailable as police complete their investigation. While it seems unlikely that the driver of the car will be faulted for damages, officials seem to be projecting an air of caution towards the media, which is in all likelihood resultant from the man’s high-profile status.

Stephen Bilkis & Associates with its New York Car Accident Lawyers has many locations throughout the NY area including Hunt's Point, NY. Our attorneys can give you advice about personal injury caused by another's negligence. Without a NY Car Accident Lawyer you will not be cognizant of all your rights and might be at a great disadvantage.

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High-Speed Fatality Could Have Been Avoided

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Tragedy struck Mount Vernon on Monday after a fatal car accident took the life of one local youth, reported a New York Car Accident Lawyers has convenient locations throughout the NY area including Morris Park, NY. Our attorneys can give you advice about personal injury caused by another's negligence. Without a Investigators say the victim, an African-American male in his early twenties, was traveling down South Columbus Avenue in Mount Vernon when he lost control of the wheel, and collided with a utility pole close to the city’s Department of Public Works, ending his life. The medical examiner has said he died instantly on impact, which occurred around 3:30 am.

Family and friends of the young man say he was a dedicated student, an avid sports fan, and committed to his family. While attending Mount Vernon High School he was tapped for the varsity basketball team, and won several awards.

After High School, he worked multiple jobs at Staples and Old Navy to help support his family, giving part of every paycheck to his mother to help with household expenses. The young man had an entrepreneurial spirit, and had planned to attend business school at Cheney University next fall.

The last time the young man’s mother saw him was the afternoon before the accident, when he left to run errands and meet with friends at the local bowling alley. Friends remarked to a NY Automobile Accident Lawyer that he was a fiercely kind, caring, and loyal friend; a fact evidenced by the large number of peers that have visited the family to pay their respects.

The New York Injury Attorney interviewed for this article said that no charges would be filed in the case. Investigating officers attributed the accident to speeding, and determined that no other cars were involved; although the County Coroner’s Office has not yet issued its report, it is believed that alcohol and drugs were not factors in the accident. It is unclear whether icy roads may also have played a part in the crash. Roads which have been soaked by melting snow can re-freeze overnight, creating dangerous ice patches and slicks which can be difficult to see.

It is unknown what funeral arrangements will be made, or whether they will be made open to the public. A memorial service for the community is being organized, which should take place within the next few days. The New York Injury Lawyer reported that the teen is survived by his mother, seventeen year old sister, and uncle.

Have you or someone you know been injured in an automobile accident? A NYC Car Accident Attorney could help you get the compensation you deserve. Don’t settle your case without consulting with a NY Car Accident Attorney.

The firm of Stephen Bilkis & Associates with its New York Car Accident Lawyers has convenient offices throughout the NY area including Long Island, NY. Our attorneys can give you advice about personal injury caused by another's negligence. Without a NY Car Accident Lawyer you will not be cognizant of all your rights and will be at a great disadvantage.

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