Archive for January, 2010

Truck And Bus Drivers Banned From Text Messaging When Behind The Wheel

marvinlundy January 31st, 2010

A new federal law prohibits truck and bus drivers from sending or reading text messages while driving.

The new law was established to help reduce the number of accidents involving “big rigs” and is effective immediately. Truck and bus drivers who text while driving commercial vehicles will be subject to fines upwards of $2,750.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, drivers take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 out of every 6 seconds while texting. At 55 miles per hour, this results in a driver traveling the length of a football field, including end zones, without looking at the road. The research also shows that drivers who text are 20 times more likely to get in an accident than those who keep their eyes on the road. In 2008, nearly 6,000 people died in crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver, and more than 500,000 were injured.

Nineteen states, plus the District of Columbia and Guam, have passed laws banning texting while driving. Six states, plus the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands, ban the use of handheld devices while driving. Now, no matter where in the U.S., truck and bus drivers cannot send or read text messages while driving.

At the Lundy Law we see firsthand the results of truck accidents and bus accidents. If you’ve been injured in an accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, call us today for a free and confidential consultation. You may be entitled to compensation.

And the next time you’re behind the wheel, save the distractions for a time when it’s safe to do so, such as the side of the road or at your final destination. It just may save your life.

For more information on distracted driving, including the different laws for each U.S. state, please visit the federal website: www.distraction.gov.

Popularity: 44% [?]

Radiation safeguards said to lag amid advances in technology

marvinlundy January 31st, 2010

In a front-page story, the New York Times (1/27, A1, Bogdanich) reports that advances in radiation technology have “created new avenues for error in software and operation.” Accident reports show that “many of these mistakes could have been caught had basic checking protocols been followed.” In fact, a review of the radiotherapy unit at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center in New Jersey by the American College of Radiology revealed that “medical personnel lacked the training and knowledge to safely administer IMRT treatments, quality control was virtually nonexistent, vital safety procedures were performed by unqualified employees, and patients had little or no follow-up.” Furthermore, the marketplace is “largely unregulated” as the government has “been slow to respond.” As a result, “radiation accidents are chronically underreported,” and manufacturers are “offering the latest technology, with only a cursory review by the government.”

Popularity: 34% [?]

Eat With Care — Health Experts Question Diet Claims Made by Fast Food Chains

marvinlundy January 28th, 2010

More fast food companies are providing reduced-calorie choices these days. However, some things are just too good to be true…
The New York Times (1/28, Ellin) reports that many fast food companies “have jumped on the reduced-calorie bandwagon” recently, although Taco Bell “is one of the few to promote their low-fat offerings so widely.” Several chains are said to have introduced lighter menu items without calling attention to them, including Dunkin’ Donuts, Quiznos, Starbucks, and McDonald’s. However, “the recent promotional activity surrounding the weight-loss potential of eating at places like Taco Bell and Subway has drawn the attention of experts, who have conflicting opinions on whether fast food is a healthy dieting tool.”

Popularity: 34% [?]

Toyota suspends US sales of recalled models

marvinlundy January 28th, 2010

Have you seen the news? Toyota took the extraordinary step Tuesday of suspending the manufacture and sale of eight of its most popular models because of an unresolved issue over defective accelerators. The Japanese automaker told its dealers to temporarily stop selling the RAV4, Highlander and Sequoia sport-utility vehicles; Corolla, Camry and Avalon cars; Matrix hatchbacks; and Tundra pickups. If you own one of these vehicles, you can read their statement and get instructions on what you should do. You can read multiple reports on the issue below.
The CBS Evening News (1/26, lead story, 2:10, Couric) reported, “Toyota has just done something no car maker in this country has ever done before: it has just told its dealers to stop selling eight of its models, at least temporarily, the same models it recalled last week to fix a potentially dangerous defect – their gas pedals could get stuck.”
NBC Nightly News (1/16, lead story, 2:20, Williams) reported, “Toyota is telling its dealerships nationwide to suspend all sales of eight different models involved in the recall it announced last week for that sticking accelerator pedal until it can find a remedy.” There “is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms, in rare cases, mechanically stick while partially depressed or return slowly to the idle position.” Because “sales are being suspended, Toyota is shutting down five production lines next week until it gets to the bottom of the problem.”
ABC World News (1/26, lead story, 2:00, Sawyer) reported, “It’s Toyota’s latest reaction to the frightening stories about those runaway cars, inexplicably speeding out of control.” Toyota said, “This action is necessary until a remedy is finalized. We’re making every effort to address this situation for our customers as quickly as possible.” As to “how long this suspension will last, Toyota says it does not know.”
The Washington Post (1/27, Mufson, Haynes) reports, Toyota “told its dealers to temporarily stop selling the RAV4, Highlander and Sequoia sport-utility vehicles; Corolla, Camry and Avalon cars; Matrix hatchbacks; and Tundra pickups.” The Post notes, “The standstill is a huge setback for a company that built its business largely on a reputation for reliability and which perennially vies with General Motors and Volkswagen for the number one sales ranking among world auto companies.” And “it left many loyal Toyota customers worried about safety and confused about what to do, because Toyota isn’t sure how to fix the problem.”
The New York Times (1/27, A1, Bunkley) reports on its front page, “Toyota said the move was intended to restore confidence in the automaker, and the safety of its products. One analyst said many consumers might have a different reaction.” Toyota’s “acknowledgement of problems with acceleration pedals reawakens one of the oldest safety issues in the auto industry. Manufacturers have long dismissed that a vehicle can race forward out of the driver’s control, contending that the problem takes place when a driver mistakenly pushes the accelerator while trying to hit the brake pedal.” The Wall Street Journal (1/27, Linebaugh) also reports the story.

Popularity: 47% [?]

Toyota still making vehicles with recalled throttles

marvinlundy January 28th, 2010

USA Today (1/26, Healey, Woodyard) reports, “Toyota says it still is making cars and trucks with potentially sticking accelerator-pedal assemblies that triggered a recall last Thursday of 2.3 million Toyota-brand cars and trucks. The automaker, reeling from its second throttle-related recall in three months, previously had said it continues to sell the vehicles and that it believes they are risk-free when new.” Toyota “eventually will have to ask owners to bring new vehicles back in for the recall remedy,” and if the company is “wrong about the pedals being immune to sticking open until they age and wear, the new vehicles could be involved in accidents.”

Popularity: 34% [?]

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