auto accident prevention

Published on: August 4, 2025

Safety Group Recommends Infrastructure Improvements to Reduce Car Accidents

While in – car safety technologies can play a significant role in helping reduce car accident wrongful deaths, state and local officials also need to be looking at infrastructure improvements that can have a more immediate effect on motorist safety.

In-car safety technologies including forward collision warning systems, lane departure warning systems and other types of technologies can play a significant role in reducing the number of people being killed in car accidents every year. In 2025, the number of cars that come with advanced safety features are much higher than they were even a decade back.

However, progress in bringing these technologies to every single American has been slow. The average American automobile is approximately 12 years old, and lacks most of these newer safety features. Safety groups have been pushing for the expansion of these systems in all cars, but it could be years, or even decades, before these safety features are expanded to all cars. In the meantime, Americans continue to die in car accidents caused by distracted driving, speeding and other dangerous behaviors. The delay in expanding these technologies has had deadly consequences. In 2022, the number of people killed in car accidents was at least 30 percent higher than in 2014.

Published on: May 23, 2025

Georgia Invests in Auto Accident Prevention Efforts

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The state of Georgia recently allocated $2.5 million for personal injury and car accident prevention efforts across the state in the form of several grants.

We definitely need greater investments in the field of auto accident and personal injury prevention in order to help reduce the number of people fatally or seriously injured in auto accidents every year. That means investments in awareness and education campaigns, planning and infrastructure, updating of records and databases, and updates to existing medical and emergency care systems. The recent grants announced in Georgia target several different areas that have long required attention.

The Georgia Department of Public Health has announced an investment of more than $1.7 million in the Injury Prevention Program’s Child Occupant Safety Project. This program promotes the safety of child passengers in automobiles across Georgia, helping provide car seat installation advice and guidance to thousands of parents and caregivers across the state. Child passengers are some of the most vulnerable passengers in any auto accident, and this grant will provide more funds to make sure that training is available not just to parents, but also to medical and health care professionals, emergency responders, firefighters and law enforcement officers. The goal is to make sure personal injuries to these vulnerable passengers are minimized or avoided all together.

Published on: April 24, 2025

Three Things to Do to Prevent Distracted Driving Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

In 2023, according to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 3,000 people were killed in car accidents caused by distracted drivers. The month of April is dedicated to commemorating the importance of preventing these car accidents, and is the right time to learn how best to protect yourself against these auto accidents.

According to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2023, 3,275 people were killed in distracted driving-related car accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration includes a number of activities under the term “distracted driving”. These activities include texting and talking on the cell phone while driving, adjusting the radio, taking selfies, applying makeup, smoking and drinking while driving.

The large number of wrongful deaths that are caused each year by distracted drivers in auto accidents is the reason why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration dedicates a special month as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. This April, you are likely to see more content on social media and around you dedicated to making people understand the dangers of being distracted while driving, and encouraging motorists to avoid using their cell phones and avoid distractions while behind the wheel. You are also likely to see more law enforcement officers enforcing Georgia’s laws against using cell phones while driving.

Published on: March 18, 2025

Safety Group Calls for “30 by 30” Auto Accident Wrongful Death Prevention Strategy

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

With hopes for a complete elimination of traffic accident wrongful deaths over the next decade fading swiftly away, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is calling for the adoption of a more practical and achievable short term strategy towards the attainment of the goal. Given the number of wrongful deaths which occur in car accidents, any reduction will be welcomed.

“Vision Zero” is a policy that originated first in Sweden where it was adopted by that country’s parliament with the goal of eliminating all auto accident wrongful deaths and bringing the total number of people being killed in car accidents down to zero over the next decade. That idea caught on quickly around the world as many governments announced their own plans for reducing car accident wrongful death numbers in their countries. The US too was quick to adopt the idea. The US Department of Transportation laid out the policy in detail in its National Roadways Safety Strategy in 2022. That policy outlined the framework of a plan to help eliminate the number of car accident wrongful deaths on our roads through a number of strategies, including better roads, safer vehicles and better drivers.

However, progress towards achieving zero fatalities has been very slow or minimal at best. In fact, the goal seems to be getting further and further out of reach. In 2022, for instance, the year in which the administration announced the National Roadways Safety Strategy, more than 42,500 people died in auto accidents across the country. That was an increase of nearly 30% from 2014, a mere 8 years earlier.

Published on: October 29, 2024

School Bus Safety Notes on Preventing Car Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

With hundreds of thousands of children across the metro Atlanta region now back at school, it is important for motorists, parents and other stakeholders to focus on looking out for school buses and keeping children safe. Unfortunately, every year there are car accidents near school buses in which children are killed or injured.

As a motorist, know the rules to follow when it comes to sharing the roads with school buses. School buses are some of the most regulated vehicles on our streets, and, therefore, are subject to a number of rules and regulations. Motorists in Georgia and other states are also required to follow the rules when they share the roads with these massive vehicles and their precious cargo, in order to avoid auto accidents.

When you are following a school bus, look out for the flashing lights. Yellow lights mean that the bus is preparing to slow down, which means that you need to slow down and prepare to stop as well. A red light means that children are being picked up or dropped off. You must remain stopped while the red light is on and the Stop arm is extended. Wait till the bus actually starts moving before you start your car and move ahead too.

Published on: May 14, 2024

Smart Traffic Signs Are the Next Step in Car Accident Prevention

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Traffic signs that can monitor motorist behavior and display messages that are tailored to target such behaviors may be the next step forward as federal and state officials consider innovative ways of reducing the number of car accidents in their jurisdictions.

Across the country, some jurisdictions are experimenting with pilot programs using smart sign boards that display targeted messages to motorists. These smart signs are designed to capture dangerous driving behaviors like failure to wear seat belts or use of cell phones while driving. If the technology spots a motorist driving without wearing a seat belt or using a cell phone while driving, it immediately flashes a warning message to the motorist. For example, a distracted driver may see a “Phone Down” message on a sign board as he is approaching. Similar messages will be posted when the system finds motorists driving at excessive speeds. Motorists who are driving responsibly may be rewarded with a smiley face flashing from the traffic sign.

The signs are operated by infrared and microwave technology, and are not designed to punish or cite violators. However, they can warn motorists if they are engaged in behavior that increases their risks of being involved in a car accident. The technology is very interesting, and traffic safety experts will be eagerly awaiting the results of the pilot program that is currently running in at least two major American cities.

Published on: April 17, 2024

Focus on Preventing Distracted Driving Auto Accidents in April

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The month of April is designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and national as well as Georgia transportation agencies will pay special attention to raising awareness about the dangers of driving while not focusing on the road, in the weeks ahead. Distracted driving is a significant cause of car accidents, personal injuries and wrongful deaths.

Distractions while driving can include a number of activities that take your attention away from the task of driving. These activities can include commonly known ones involving the use of electronic devices while driving, such as cell phones, tablets and other electronic equipment in your vehicle. The kind of distractions that you experience as you are using your cell phone to make or receive phone calls or text messages while driving can really impact your ability to drive safely and increase your risks of being involved in a car accident.

However, electronic distractions are not the only ones that plague Atlanta motorists. Everyday, thousands of American drivers are distracted because they are applying makeup, snacking, drinking, interacting with passengers in the car, and doing a number of other activities that take their focus and concentration away from the task of driving.

Published on: April 4, 2024

Feds and States Swap Notes on Car Accident Prevention

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Federal transportation officials as well as state officials met in the nation’s capital recently to discuss ways to reduce car accident wrongful deaths.

Most states were represented at the gathering with 17 states declining to participate, and out of these, 10 of those states had traffic accident death rates that were higher than the national average in 2021. For most transportation officials, the past couple of years have been frustrating to say the least. After several decades of declining traffic accident deaths, the years since the pandemic have actually seen traffic accident deaths inching upwards once again. There have been increases reported in almost every category of accidents, from pedestrian accidents to speed – related accidents and distracted driving – related accidents. Clearly, new challenges have emerged since the pandemic and fresh strategies are required to deal with these.

Some states reported at the conference that they have successfully limited the impact of poor driving on accident numbers through very simple steps. These steps have involved the use of simple techniques, like rumble strips on highways as well as reflective tape on stop signs in order to help motorists pay stronger attention to the task of driving. Some states are investing in corridors for pedestrians. Others have increased fines on speeding while some states have focused on construction work zone safety with a specific focus on protecting construction workers in these dangerous zones. Many of these initiatives have met with great success, and provide a blueprint for other states to follow these efforts.

Published on: March 19, 2024

Federal Funds to Boost Car Accident Prevention Efforts in Georgia

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

In 2022, an average of 5 people died in car accidents in Georgia every single day. The state is now making strong efforts to help reduce those numbers and keep people safe on the roads. There is not one solution to the issue, which requires a multifaceted approach.

The Georgia Department of Public Health recently received funding of approximately $2.5 million specifically to be used in road safety initiatives. The grant by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will be used to fund initiatives like the distribution of child car safety seats to motorists in Georgia. The funds will also be used to study and research factors involved in car accidents, specifically speeding and other common factors. More than $200,000 has also been earmarked for education and awareness campaigns across Georgia, as well as risk assessments of senior drivers above the age of 55. The child car seat distribution initiative has already kicked off, and hundreds of parents across Georgia have received their safety seats.

The metro Atlanta region is a specific area of concern for Georgia transportation safety authorities. Out of the last nine car accident deaths recorded in the state, 5 occurred in the metro Atlanta region alone. These wrongful deaths have included fatalities in car accidents caused by drunk drivers and fatal auto accidents involving pedestrians. Law enforcement officers in Georgia say that the biggest causes of car accident fatalities in the state remains drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving and rash driving. Road rage is on the increase, and that has meant a spike in aggressive driving.

Published on: June 30, 2022

Safety Campaigns and Strong Action Most Effective in Preventing Car Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The federal administration spends millions of dollars in traffic safety campaigns every year. An analysis of the effectiveness of these campaigns finds that unless these education campaigns are also combined with practical action, they may have a very limited impact on traffic safety or the number of car accidents which occur each year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s traffic safety campaigns encourage motorists to drive safely, wear seatbelts and avoid driving under the influence of alcohol. One stellar campaign that the federal agency conducts annually is the Click it or Ticket campaign that encourages motorists to wear seatbelts while driving. The campaign is credited with increasing seatbelt usage across the country, and usage rates are currently now at above 90%. This is a very respectable percentage, although it is still imperative that we reach out to the 10% of motorists who fail to wear seat belts. Individuals who fail to wear a seatbelt are those who are most likely to suffer a personal injury in a car accident. To learn more about personal injury matters involving car accidents, please visit our website.

However, according to some experts, it is not the campaign by itself that has promoted seat belt use. Rather, it is the fact that newer automobiles now come with a seatbelt warning system that gives a motorist time to wear the seatbelt and make sure that everyone else is also buckled in before the driver operates the car. In one such system, the car will not start until a few seconds after the ignition is turned on to give the motorist time to buckle up.