Riding a bicycle can be a fun and healthy way to get around. Not only can you lose weight and get in shape, you can also reduce your carbon footprint and save money. However, before you head out on two wheels, keep in mind these safety tips. Never ride your bicycle without a properly fitted…
Florida Man Driving Semi Accused of Crashing into New York State Trooper’s Vehicle
Press Connects reports that a Florida man was arrested on suspicion of DUI after crashing a tractor-trailer into a New York State Trooper’s vehicle. The crash happened just before 7:30 p.m. on Route 17 in Tioga County. A New York State Police officer had just issued a traffic citation and stepped into his marked patrol vehicle….
Motorcyclist Critically Injured on I-275 in St. Petersburg
The Tampa Bay Times reports that I-275 was closed after an injury crash that involved two passenger vehicles and critically injured a motorcyclist. The accident happened on Thursday on northbound Interstate 275 just south of 54th Avenue South in St. Petersburg. At around 9:35 a.m., 58-year-old Diane A. Caraker was traveling north in the center lane…
High School Football Player Arrested For Hit-and-Run After Leaving Victim for Dead
Florida statute has provisions requiring that a person involved in an accident causing property damage, injury, or death stop and exchange information. They are also required to render aid to those who are hurt. Failure to do so is charged as leaving the scene of an accident, sometimes called hit-and-run. The penalties for hit-and-run depend…
Punishments dor Traffic Violations Are Low in Miami-Dade
When it comes to traffic violations versus criminal charges, the truth is that it can depend on what offense the driver has committed. For example, going 10 m.p.h. over the speed limit may just be a traffic citation, resulting in a few points on a person’s license. However, driving 30 m.p.h. over the speed limit…
New Information Released in Fatal Sheriff/ Pedestrian Accident
In a report released earlier this year, Florida was declared one of the deadliest states in the nation for pedestrians. Of the 20 deadliest cities in the United States for pedestrians, nine are located in Florida. Orlando was ranked the least safe. Between 2008 and 2017, Florida saw 5,433 pedestrian fatalities in traffic accidents. This…
Man Believed To Be High on Meth in Fatal Crash
Most of us know the effects that depressants like alcohol and marijuana have on the ability to drive. Stimulants like methamphetamine also have a derogatory effect on driving abilities as well. Some of the possible detrimental effects on driving include speeding, swerving from side to side, failing to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles,…
Video Captures Moment of Hit-and-Run in St. Petersburg
The number of both pedestrians and bicyclists killed in roadway accidents is increasing. In 2003, pedestrians and bicyclists represented 12.6% of the total number of fatalities. In 2017, they accounted for 18.2% of fatalities. An even grimmer statistic is that while overall traffic fatalities decreased by 0.8% between 2008 and 2017, pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities…
Teen Driver Arrested For Hit-and-Run Accident in West Miami-Dade
Getting a driver’s license is a milestone that most teen drivers look forward to. Unfortunately, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death and disability among teenagers in the United States. In 2017, according to statistics from the NHTSA, there were 1,830 drivers aged 15 to 20 who died in auto accidents. Though this…
Three Counts of DUI Manslaughter for Driver Running Red Light
The Villages-News reports that a DUI suspect has been arrested after a crash killed three Summerfield residents, two of whom were children. At about 2:12 p.m. on Thursday, 71-year-old Emilio Nunez was driving a 2003 Suzuki Vitara on County Road 484 at County Road 467 in Marion County. His vehicle was struck by a 1999…
Man Loses Control of Sports Car, Kills One
The Tampa Bay Times reports that a man lost control of his vehicle, killing another person during the resulting crash. At about 8:20 p.m. on Saturday, 31-year-old David Houston was driving south on Little Road at a high rate of speed. Near Crane’s Roost Drive, he lost control of the vehicle. Meanwhile, 72-year-old Phillip Viola…
Ocala Crash Kills Three, Possible DUI
Florida’s personal injury protection requirements and health insurance coverage often cover most injuries in a car crash. These policies are still subject to deductibles and co-pays, so there is still some out-of-pocket costs. The one exception to the personal injury protection rule is a DUI accident. Because a DUI is a crime, victims have a…
Family Loses Two Children to Driveway Accidents in Four Years
According to data from the NHTSA, there are around 2,400 children injured after being struck or run over by a car in a driveway each week. Of these, 2 of the children will die from their injuries. Backover accidents account for 42% of all non-traffic related auto fatalities each year. Front-over accidents account for another…
Boy Falls 20 Feet in Zipline Accident, Parents Sue
In the past few years, hundreds of commercial zip-line parks have opened across the United States. As of September 2017, there were 400 different parks operating, with more due to be opening. While this may be a fun way to spend an afternoon or to host a birthday party, there are risks. The risks are…
Driver Accused of DUI Manslaughter After Death in Key Biscayne
Ever since a mandatory minimum sentencing law was passed in 2007, Florida has had a minimum sentence of 4 years for a DUI manslaughter conviction. Prosecutors can waive this requirement and allow a judge to sentence leniently. Even with the mandatory minimum sentence, the sentences can vary widely. For example, in a 2009 case involving…
Multi-Vehicle Crash in Martin County Kills Motorcyclist
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, a non-profit organization that represents state highway offices, motorcyclist fatalities were down in 2017 compared to 2016. The year saw almost 5,000 deaths on motorcycles, which was 300 fewer than the previous year. This is a 5.6% decrease, but motorcyclists are still overrepresented in all traffic fatalities. Motorcyclists…
Man Pleads Not Guilty Despite Admitting to Being Drunk When He Ran Over Student
No matter the circumstances, a DUI that involves the death of another person is traumatic for all involved. For the victims and their families, because it is a DUI charge, it can be even more so. When it comes to penalties, they can vary widely when it comes to a DUI manslaughter charge. The minimum…
Most Dangerous Intersections in Broward County
The Boca Raton Patch reports on the most dangerous intersections in Broward County, Florida. Broward County has beautiful homes, a booming economy, and year-round good weather. Its no wonder that people are flocking to this Florida County in greater numbers, but with that increase in population, comes an increase in traffic. That also brings with…
Distracted Driving Study Shows that Accidents Are More Severe When Distracted
Law Firm News Wire reports that distracted driving is shown to cause more severe accidents. A study conducted by the Risk Institute at Ohio State University found that accidents caused by distracted driving are more severe and cause more serious injuries and more deaths than crashes with other causes. The study proved that distracted driving crashes are…
Drunk Driving Deaths on the Decline in Florida
While some laws are the same regarding DUIs among each state, the penalties can differ. For example, the drinking age in every state is 21. The legal limit in every state is 0.08%. After that, the penalties can vary greatly. For example, Wyoming, the state with the highest DUI death rate, requires a license suspension…