Pedestrian safety: Amtrak train accident in Southern California kills three men walking along tracks
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Three pedestrians were killed on Monday, Dec. 13 when they were struck by an Amtrak train headed from San Diego to Los Angeles, according to KTLA News in Los Angeles. Thought to be possible taggers, the men in their early- to mid-20s were walking along the train tracks over Telegraph Road when the Amtrak train struck the pedestrians.
The conductor of the train tried to avert the pedestrian accident but could not apply the train’s brakes in time, causing a fatal collision with the men. LA County fire department and LA Sheriff Homicide detectives arrived on the scene shortly thereafter and pronounced the men dead.
A train accident is rare. Most often, pedestrian injuries occur on the road involving vehicles, and the risk of a pedestrian accident is higher than once thought: a pedestrian is killed every 120 seconds according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Pedestrian accidents generally occur because:
A driver has failed to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian at a crosswalk. Generally, a pedestrian has the right-of-way for crossing the street, walking in a parking lot and on sidewalks. When a driver fails to give you the right-of-way, and if you’re injured as a result, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.Hit-and-run accidents. A hit-and-run car accident can frequently involve pedestrians. Try to gather license plate information if you can.A driver not making a complete stop. If a driver is not paying attention and fails to make a complete stop, s/he may not be able to see you on the road and can collide with you. In the case of the Amtrak train, even though the conductor was aware of the men traveling the tracks, he was unable to make a complete stop in time. This can often happen on the road as well.Pedestrian safety is often overlooked as a possible public hazard. But unfortunately, accidents like these can happen anytime, but there are ways to avoid being hit as a pedestrian on the street.
To stay on the safer side of pedestrian travel, try to:
Wear white or bright clothing when walking. If you’re pro-pedestrian, then consider wearing brighter clothing so drivers can see you on the road.Use reflective vests. Bicyclists will find this tip extra useful because reflective gear can greatly increase your visibility, especially as oncoming headlights approach you. Cars can see you much more quickly using reflective gear versus dark, inhibitive clothing.Don’t J-Walk. Even if you think it’s safe, do not cross the road without using a crosswalk and following pedestrian safety rules. You never know when a car will take a turn out of nowhere and hit you.Don’t travel along railroad tracks. Even if you think you’re quick enough to get out of the way of a train’s path, don’t linger around or walk alongside train tracks. While this seems like an obvious tip, there are many travelers who use train tracks for longer distances since train tracks offer a more direct route without having to use street travel. Like the pedestrians killed in the Amtrak accident, it’s safer to simply stay on the sidewalk versus any alternative travel via train tracks.Don’t walk at night. As seen in a previous blog post involving a pedestrian accident in San Marcos, it’s never completely safe to walk at night, especially on busy areas near freeways and on-ramps. Avoid pedestrian activities at dusk and night hours.If you have been injured as a pedestrian, attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC, can help evaluate your case. The free review is comprehensive: we collect information involving you, your injuries, the person(s) involved in the case, and the nature of the case. It’s private and free—call us now at 1-800-655-6585 or use the contact form. A personal injury attorney specializing in pedestrian accidents will contact you immediately.
Coronado suspected DUI accident sparks San Diego woman’s arrest for murder: How California driving laws can affect you.
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A San Diego woman was arrested on charges of murder in connection with a suspected DUI accident that occurred in Coronado earlier this year in April, according to The San Diego Union Tribune. Melanie Rebecca Flores, 47, was booked at the Las Colinas Detention Facility on Tuesday, Dec. 14 on accusations of drunk driving. The car accident killed Coronado resident Stevens Benjamin Freidman, 95, and two others were also injured in the accident.
Flores is suspected of driving while intoxicated on April 21, when she collided with two vehicles on the Silver Strand in Coronado. The fatal car accident claimed the life of an elderly man and injured two others, but the San Diego woman was not arrested until recently.
Lea Corbin, a Coronado police spokeswoman, said the delay in arrest was due to serious personal injury that Flores sustained.
Flores’ blood alcohol limit at the time the car accident was above the California legal limit of .08 and she is now being charged with murder. Flores is being charged with 2 counts of 23153 (A) CVC DUI causing injury, and 2 counts of 23153 (B) CVC DUI over .08 causing injury.
What do these laws exactly mean?
Did you know there are two parts to California DUI driving laws that can affect you? The first offense, California Vehicle Code 23152 (a), is a law that defines whether or not the driver was “unable to drive the automobile with the same caution characteristic of a sober person, of ordinary prudence, under the same or similar circumstances.”
The other part of California law, California Vehicle Code 23152 (b), focuses on the “per se” charge of “was the driver’s blood alcohol level .08 or higher.” In Flores’ case, Coronado Police Department reports she was indeed driving at a blood alcohol level greater than .08 percent.
Because the accident caused a fatality, it appears that Flores was unable to drive the automobile with the same caution as a sober individual. She was arrested on charges of murder a result.
Every state has nuances in their laws governing DUI driving, but in California, driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher is considered driving under the influence of alcohol. In Flores’ case, she will be facing both criminal charges and she’ll have her license suspended as well since she was driving at a BAC level above .08 percent.
Know that California law does not take driving under the influence lightly. If you cause a fatal car crash while driving under the influence, you can be booked for charges of murder, such as Flores’ case, and you may later face charges of wrongful death.
DUI driving is a serious, life-threatening offense. Take the necessary precautions to stay on the right side of the law, and do the right thing for society’s sake. Don’t drink and drive, period.
If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, please call our offices at 1-800-655-6585 for a free evaluation of your case. The Law Offices of Michael Pines, APC, Accident Attorneys in San Diego are experts in personal injury cases involving DUI driving.
Related posts:
Coronado Multi-Car Accident Causes One DeathMarine Charged With Murder After Causing O.C. Doctor’s Wrongful Death In Car Accident12 Things You Need To Know About California Drunk-Driving (DUI) LawsWrong-way driving: New updates in La Jolla fatal drunk driving caseTags: car accident, car accidents, drunk driving, DUI, personal injury, wrongful death, wrongful death lawsuit
This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 at 10:16 am and is filed under Accident Prevention, Accidents in the News, Car Accidents. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Dec. 15 is the worst day for California drivers: how to stay safe on the road today
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According to Allstate and KTLA News, Dec. 15 is California’s most dangerous day for driving since most car accidents occur on this day. Unfortunately, more Californians are involved in automobile crashes on Dec. 15 versus any other day of the year.
The statistics come from Allstate Insurance Company after a review of California insurance claims spanning the last four years. There could be a wide variety of reasons Dec. 15 sees a spike in California-related car accidents: holiday shopping, bad weather and holiday parties – a popular Dec. 15 occasion – are all attributed as possible factors.
Car accident claims jump a staggering 23 percent on Dec. 15 compared to the daily average of Allstate’s processed claims throughout the year.
Could holiday shopping be that bad? On Dec. 15 it may be, so we encourage you to follow these safe driving tips today. You can help make the roads a little safer this year. Here’s how.
Whether it’s poor weather, busy mall traffic, or a long drive for a holiday party, here are tips to keep you safe on the road today. Don’t risk a being involved in San Diego car accident on Dec. 15!
So much to do, so little time. You and many others may be feeling this same way, so don’t hustle to get to your destination today. Be aware that high levels of stress can contribute to fatigue, causing you to be less alert on the road. The top cause of car accidents is distracted driving so don’t try to juggle too many tasks in the car today. Your driving ability is drastically improved when you reduce distractions and give yourself enough time to get to your destination, whether it be the mall or a holiday party. Plan ahead!
Dec. 15 is a popular date to host holiday festivities, and a big lunch or dinner is sure to make you feel tired today. Getting sleepy at the wheel is dangerous, so don’t risk it today. Most importantly, consider your alcohol level and never overindulge and drive under the influence. San Diego car accidents, especially DUI-related crashes, are heavy this time of year. Don’t be another statistic. Stay on the right side of the law and get a designated driver, and be sure to make arrangements prior to drinking.
You can bet that mall traffic increases in the evenings and on weekends, when most people are off work and available to shop. Consider being flexible in your travel plans today, and do your shopping another time. And because Dec. 18 is Allstate’s fourth most miserable driving day, you might want to consider doing your holiday shopping during the week, at off-peak hours.
If a crash does happen, and you become injured in a car accident, call us today at 1-800-655-6585 for a free legal evaluation of your San Diego car accident.
“Crash Tax” may outrage New Yorkers but did you know it already exists in California?
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New York City motorists may be in for a surprise once Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s ordinance to collect “crash tax” becomes in-effect. The “crash tax” also referred to as an “accident tax” collects every time a car accident occurs. Why? The tax is used to offset the city’s cost to come out and service the car accident—police, firefighters, and ambulances cost the city money, so the tax is used to make up for the deficit, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The crash tax is New York’s response to serious budgetary constraints. Call it panic or brilliance, but the city intends to apply the crash tax anytime a person is involved in a vehicle accident, and insurance companies will not cover the cost.
The crash tax will cost motorists $490 for a vehicle fire or any other car accident incident involving injuries. A car fire with no personal injuries is discounted–$415 pays that crash tax. And, if motorists are lucky enough to escape their car accident with no fires or injuries, they will pay $365.
“We can no longer afford to provide [services] at no cost to those who require them,” a statement from the FDNY said. “Right now if you’re at fault in an accident or a vehicle fire, you get a free ride. And that should not be borne by the taxpayers.” says Steve Ritea, spokesman for the FDNY.
New Yorkers may be outraged, but a similar crash tax law is already in-effect here in California. For San Diegans, you don’t have to go any further than National City to get your first crash tax if you’ve been involved in a car accident. And, other cities throughout California are taking the hint: Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Orange, Sacramento, Oakland, Palm Springs, and Ontario have approved or are considering it.
As with any bill or new government initiative, there are its appropriate pros and cons. Motorists should be aware of how the crash tax may possibly affect them, especially if they are not at-fault in a car accident. Some possible concerns against the crash tax include:
Good, responsible drivers may be more prone to a hit-and-run car accident. If California motorists face a crash tax, they may be more inclined to leave the scene of an accident to avoid the out-of-pocket expense. Since insurance companies won’t foot the bill, it’s up to the motorist to pay.Motorists will shy away from calling police when necessary. A car accident is bad enough; no one wants to pay additional money on top of their insurance deductable, time off work, and rental cars. Having to pay a crash tax may cause motorists to stop alerting police to review the scene of an accident, even if there are injuries or serious concerns at the scene of the car accident.Personal injury on the scene of a car accident may worsen. If a motorist is afraid of paying the crash tax, he or she may not call an ambulance when necessary. Will drivers sustaining whiplash start driving themselves to the hospital, just to avoid the extra tax? Personal injury can worsen if left untreated, but some drivers may be hesitant to call for help when needed.If you have been injured in a car accident, our personal injury attorneys can provide a free legal evaluation of your case. Call us now at 1-800-655-6585 or fill out our online form for an immediate response from one of our personal injury attorneys.
Related posts:
Car Accident ‘Crash Tax’ In Chula Vista Delayed AgainMinor Car Accidents Are More Costly In Some StatesCalifornia Officials To Offer Lower Insurance Rates To Automobile DriversPasadena Car Crash Kills Two And Injures FourThis entry was posted on Thursday, December 30th, 2010 at 8:38 am and is filed under Accident Prevention, Accidents in the News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Feds Targeting Financial Institutions Backing California Marijuana Dispensaries
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Keeping in line with the progressive, confiscate as much private property as possible, policies, Eric Holder of "Operation Gunrunner", has the Obama Justice Department stepping in to the fight to shut down medical marijuana dispensaries in California, thereby attempting to seize private property where clinics are located. In doing this they have gone after one bank that holds the clinics mortgage. In typical Marxist fashion, they're coming to trample on state's rights and to validate their centralized, power elite structure.
Unbelievably, Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana clinic, attorney Greg Anton, was quoted as stating that Chase bank has received a letter to evict the medical marijuana clinic, as it holds the mortgage on the Fairfax California building.
U.S. Attorney for the northern district of California, Melinda Haag, who according to Anton sent the bank a letter that was similar to the one to Chase Bank on September 28th. According to Anton, he obtained a copy of the letter that was sent not only to Marin Alliance landlord JP Morgan Chase, but to other medical marijuana dispensaries landlords. The letter was threatening to owners if they do not evict the clinics selling medical cannabis in a 45 day time limit they could face criminal charges.
The alleged letter sent to Chase Bank, has been a no comment, according to the JP Morgan Chase spokesman. The Northern District U.S. Attorney’s Office stated it is not able to comment on the letters that were sent. California has had a marijuana industry that has been becoming more prominent since; medical marijuana was legalized with Proposition 215 in 1196. October 7, 2011 the Justice Department began its action against the medical marijuana clinics in four federal districts in California.
According to Deputy Attorney General James Cole the department is not focusing the investigation on the patient that is suffering from a serious illness or the caregiver of a cancer patient or any other severe illness. Cole statement comes after the U.S. attorneys for Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Sacramento have begun action against approximately 16 medical marijuana distributors in these federal districts.
Marin Alliance Medical Marijuana Clinic owner Lynnette Shaw stated that they are the oldest medical marijuana dispensary and expects to be evicted from the premises that her clinic is located. Shaw is attempting to obtain a court order or possibly an executive order that would place a temporary stay on the U.S. Attorneys legal actions.
Shaw says that her landlord, Chase Bank is afraid of the legal threats they have received and of the Justice Department and have requested that she removed the medical marijuana from the premises. She goes on to state that she has been in business for 15 years and has never sold cannabis for non-medical reasons or sold to people out of state. Shaw stated she has complied with all of the state laws for her medical marijuana clinic.
There was a Tuesday meeting between local legislators and clinic owners in San Francisco, with California Assemblyman Tom Ammiano stating that this is a destructive attack not only on the medical marijuana clinics, but also the patients. Ammiano said that President Obama, who was in California this week needs to reverse the decision and the policy that is in effect. California’s decision to allow residents to have the right to use cannabis as a medical treatment should be respected.
The National Cannabis Industry Association Executive Director Aaron Smith stated that the President should stop the Justice Department for going against his administration’s policy to respect the medical marijuana laws. The actions of the Justice Department could affect medical marijuana related actions in the District of Columbia and 15 states.
According to the Kevin Sabet, former Senior Policy Advisor to Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske for the administration has stated that financial institutions that have dealings with medical marijuana businesses should be prepared. Sebet stated that the enforcement actions in California should be watched by states that have or will legalize medical marijuana.
Federal and state laws in every state makes it illegal to smoke cannabis and does not permit the entire marijuana plant to be smoked for medical reasons or other reasons. It is recognized that marijuana does have medical value. Attorney General Holder has to approve any actions, and Sebet does not believe that the Department of Justice will only be focusing on the state of California.
Los Angeles personal injury attorney, Michael Ehline, Esq., who represents chronic pain victims, states that: "This is a fundamental state's rights issue. Patients and their physicians should have the ultimate say here. With oppressive laws like Obamacare, our bodies are becoming more and more, the property of the federal government, and this is not what our founders had in mind. And the White House's on again off again, selective enforcement of laws in relation to voting cycles, turns our laws into a Cronie dictatorship of traps for the unwary."
The medical marijuana dispensaries that are located outside of California have not received the letters from the Justice Department like the ones in the state. However, some have been audited by the IRS due to deductions that the IRS can penalize the marijuana dispensary under tax code 208 E that was passed during Ronald Reagan’s administration in 1982 for, trafficking a controlled substance. This is a method that kept drug dealers from taking deductions that focused on trafficking activities.
National Cannabis Industry Association chairwoman Jill Lamoureux stated she was aware of one such audit that occurred in Colorado, but the details were kept confidential. She did know that there was no fines or additional taxes accessed and the deductions were acceptable.
Lamoureux said that should the IRS make a decision that the medical marijuana industry is not permitted to take standard business deductions it will be a severe hit to the businesses that provide medical marijuana for patients, but also contribute to the local and state economy. The chairwoman believes that the cannabis industry severely needs new growth.
According to Sebet the message that is being sent is that cannabis is illegal and it is being taken seriously by the federal government. This is how they are reminding patients and clinic owners, should be reminded that marijuana is illegal and it is their way of ending the medical marijuana industry.
If you would like to learn more about accident laws in California, call Ehline Law Firm PC at 633 West Fifth Street, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071, 213.596.9642.
New California Child Seat Safety Law Raises Age Requirement
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Posted on Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 
A couple weeks after National Child Passenger Safety Week, California passed an important child seat law that will make children across the state safer by raising the age and size required for a child to ride without a booster seat. The law, which was sponsored by state senator Noreen Evans and passed into law by Governor Brown on October 4th, will require all children under eight years old or shorter than 4’9’’ (whichever comes first) to use a safety chair.
The intent of the law is to ensure that safety belts will fit across children’s chests, rather than higher and closer to the neck. Federal groups like the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, National Transportation Safety Board and the American Academy of Pediatrics have been advocating for such regulations for years.
In fact, thirty states already have similar requirements.
California was once the leader in child seat safety laws. Back in 2000, the state passed the strictest child passenger safety laws in the country. But under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, education on proper safety seat use became the focus rather than passing more and tougher laws.
Perhaps governor Schwarzenegger was overcome by the ever-powerful first grader lobby. Children look forward to getting into adult seats, and likely would oppose any regulation that keeps them strapped into a special seat any longer than absolutely necessary.
Hopefully, with this law in hand, parents can avoid an argument or fuss.
While this adjustment will probably be fairly seamless for families with kids currently under six years old, it seems unlikely that the new regulations will cause all parents of seven year olds to go out and buy car seats for the year. Of course, the cost of picking up a new car seat is well worth dramatically improving a child’s safety.
This law will certainly do some good, but regulation alone is not enough. Even though previous California administrations failed to keep up with the best child safety seat laws, the message that it’s nearly as important for parents to keep up with best practices for using the seats remains spot on.
A study by Safe Kids USA showed that although almost all parents used child safety seats, only 28 percent of parents were properly using them. So although the news here is that kids need to stay in safety seats until their a bit older, it’s a good opportunity to remind everyone that there are free resources out there to help you make sure you are fastening your child into his or her seat properly.
Just click over to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration for a list of locations near you. Here is a map the California locations where you can get a brief tutorial on child seat safety best practices.
Photo Credit: Culpepper County Sherriff’s Office
California Plane Crash Kills Professional Off-Road Racer
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October 17, 2011 - According to reports a plane crash in California killed a professional off road racer and two other people.
According to authorities professional off-road racer Rick Huseman was one of three people that were killed in a small plane crash. The crash of the Beech 33 Bonanza occurred near Barstow when attempting to make an emergency landing at the Barstow-Daggett Airport at approximately 1:45 p.m. Sunday.
The other two people killed on the plan was Huseman’s brother Jeff and an unnamed pilot on the plane that was approximately five miles from the airport when it crashed.
The plane was traveling from Las Vegas to Corona when it crashed into a canyon when it was attempting to make an emergency landing. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, according to authorities.
According to his website page, Huseman was given the 2010 DirtSports Magazine Driver of the Year Award. This was a free public service message from the tort personal injury airplane accident attorney at Ehline Law Firm PC 11801 Pierce Street #200 Riverside, CA 92505 USA +951.777.2877.
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California conflicted over how to protect cyclists
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Posted on Monday, October 17th, 2011 
California’s cycling community is a boisterous and active group. But it took a blow last week when Governor Brown vetoed SB 910, a bicycle safety bill that would have required passing motorists to give cyclists three feet of space.
As we noted in an earlier post on SB 910’s progress, 19 other states, beginning with Wisconsin in 1973, have already adopted similar laws. What seems like a common sense step that could prevent accidents between cars and vulnerable street cyclists was complicated by a section of the bill requiring drivers to also slow to 15 miles per hour while passing.
In his veto message, Brown noted that “On streets with speed limits of 35 or 40mph, slowing to 15mph to pass a bicycle could cause rear end collisions. On other roads, a bicycle may travel at or new 15 mph creating a long line of cars behind the cyclist.”
Bike advocacy organizations and blogs were upset with the logic, but it encapsulates a general fear within the government and amongst people who do not spend much time on bikes: that protecting cyclists may cause greater harm than good. In the absence of widely acknowledged statistical information, change may appear to be the less appealing option.
Meanwhile, in a parallel story, Sonoma cyclists will have more space than ever on Fifth Street West, where the city is putting in bike lanes in an effort to ease road congestion and encourage a more environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
But what appears to be win for cyclist safety apparently comes at a public relations cost. Although the project started gaining momentum way back in 2007, today it faces the same fate as a West Spain Street project that was killed when area residents protested. Although Sonoma city council approved the plans 4-1, its residents are also asking the council to reconsider the plans.
That’s because the new bike lanes will trim 35 parking spaces from the street and cut the four-lane thoroughfare down to a two-lane street.
The Press Democrat quoted Karen Hall, who signed a petition against the construction as saying, ““I like bike lanes, but I don’t see this as the best use of our time or money.”
It’s a legitimate concern; the project is budgeted for about $170,000. If local citizens feel that money could be put to better use, they have every right to voice their displeasure. But is the outcry justified?
In both the SB 910 and Sonoma city examples, government intervention is either being proposed–or actually used in the case of Sonoma’s project–in order to make a community or the state itself more bike-friendly. In doing so, public bodies have the opportunity to make cyclists safer, and to encourage more people to bike. With more people cycling safely, the greater community benefits from the exercise and lack of carbon emissions.
That is, the legislation seems self-evident after the fact because it encourages the behavior it is designed to protect. It’s getting there that’s the hard part.
Photo credit: Richard Masoner
California plane crash kills professional off road racer
October 17, 2011 - professional motorcycle racer and two other people reportedly killed a plane crash in California.
According to authorities the professional off-road drivers Rick Huseman is one of three people who came in a small plane crash killed. The beech 33 bonanza crash near Barstow in the attempt to make an emergency landing at Barstow-Daggett Airport at about 13: 45 Sunday.
The other two people killed on the plan was the Huseman brother Jeff and an unnamed pilot on the plane, which was five kilometres from the airport, about when it crashed.
The aircraft was from Las Vegas, Corona travel, if it fell into a ravine off when attempted to make an emergency landing. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, according to authorities.
Huseman 2010 awarded DirtSports magazine driver of the year award, was on its website. This was a free public service message from the tort personal injury aircraft accident lawyer Ehline law firm PC 11801 Pierce Street # 200 Riverside, CA 92505 United States + 951 777 2877.
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California conflicted over how to protect cyclists
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Posted on Monday, October 17th, 2011 California’s cycling community is a boisterous and active group. But it took a blow last week when Governor Brown vetoed SB 910, a bicycle safety bill that would have required passing motorists to give cyclists three feet of space.
As we noted in an earlier post on SB 910’s progress, 19 other states, beginning with Wisconsin in 1973, have already adopted similar laws. What seems like a common sense step that could prevent accidents between cars and vulnerable street cyclists was complicated by a section of the bill requiring drivers to also slow to 15 miles per hour while passing.
In his veto message, Brown noted that “On streets with speed limits of 35 or 40mph, slowing to 15mph to pass a bicycle could cause rear end collisions. On other roads, a bicycle may travel at or new 15 mph creating a long line of cars behind the cyclist.”
Bike advocacy organizations and blogs were upset with the logic, but it encapsulates a general fear within the government and amongst people who do not spend much time on bikes: that protecting cyclists may cause greater harm than good. In the absence of widely acknowledged statistical information, change may appear to be the less appealing option.
Meanwhile, in a parallel story, Sonoma cyclists will have more space than ever on Fifth Street West, where the city is putting in bike lanes in an effort to ease road congestion and encourage a more environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
But what appears to be win for cyclist safety apparently comes at a public relations cost. Although the project started gaining momentum way back in 2007, today it faces the same fate as a West Spain Street project that was killed when area residents protested. Although Sonoma city council approved the plans 4-1, its residents are also asking the council to reconsider the plans.
That’s because the new bike lanes will trim 35 parking spaces from the street and cut the four-lane thoroughfare down to a two-lane street.
The Press Democrat quoted Karen Hall, who signed a petition against the construction as saying, ““I like bike lanes, but I don’t see this as the best use of our time or money.”
It’s a legitimate concern; the project is budgeted for about $170,000. If local citizens feel that money could be put to better use, they have every right to voice their displeasure. But is the outcry justified?
In both the SB 910 and Sonoma city examples, government intervention is either being proposed–or actually used in the case of Sonoma’s project–in order to make a community or the state itself more bike-friendly. In doing so, public bodies have the opportunity to make cyclists safer, and to encourage more people to bike. With more people cycling safely, the greater community benefits from the exercise and lack of carbon emissions.
That is, the legislation seems self-evident after the fact because it encourages the behavior it is designed to protect. It’s getting there that’s the hard part.
Photo credit: Richard Masoner
Important bicycling safety measure now before the Governor of California
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Posted on Wednesday, October 5th, 2011 
Just last week we wrote about an unfortunate accident involving a cyclist and a San Francisco Muni bus that left the cyclist with a badly crushed arm. The incident took place, both sides agree, when the cyclist was forced to change lanes by an illegally parked vehicle. The bus, as is the case with the majority of bicycle accidents, approached the cyclist from the rear.
These sort of accidents, where space for vehicles to pass is scarce, are the kind that make cyclists feel unsafe about biking to work or for leisure in an urban environment. They are also exactly the type of accidents that SB 910, a safe passage bill for bicyclists, seeks to minimize through legislation.
A part of the California Bicycle Coalition’s Give Me 3 campaign, SB 910 would formalize the way that most drivers and cyclists already interact by requiring passing vehicles to give bicyclists at least three feet of space when passing from behind.
It would be a smart move for the state, and CBC lays out the reasoning succinctly on their website:
“Nineteen other states have already enacted a specified minimum passing distance for motorists. The nation’s newest 3-foot passing law took effect in Georgia on July 1, 2011.
A specified passing distance provides drivers with a more objective and easily understood measure of what constitutes “safe” and gives law enforcement and the courts a more objective basis for enforcing California’s safe passing requirement. Most importantly, it helps emphasize a driver’s special responsibility to safeguard more vulnerable road users like bicyclists.”
This last point is important. Often drivers are surprised by sudden adjustments a cyclist may be forced to make. With a mandatory three-foot berth, drivers will be better prepared to respond themselves, and help everyone stay out of potentially life-threatening circumstances.
Initially the progress of this bill was heartening and it passed through the California Legislature on September 8. The bill has now been sent to Governor Brown to be signed into law.
If you would like to improve cyclist safety and encourage Governor Brown to sign SB 910, you can send him a letter. Make sharing the road easier and safer by helping California become the twentieth state to take this important step.
Photo credit: Richard Masoner
Five deaths occurred the holiday weekend in Southern California
7. September 2011 - similar reports five people were killed, during the labor day weekend in traffic accidents. Holiday weekends there were five proposed traffic related deaths, with an appearance on the 110 freeway at an 18-year-old driver smart disabled one a 1971 Chevy Monte Carlo with three men stand outside the vehicle.
The driver one smart hit, the rear of the vehicle caused two people hurt and one to be trapped underneath the vehicle and death burned, if the vehicles in flames burst. The 18 year-old driver of smart cars arrested and charged with suspicion of driving under the influence and the second degree murder
The second holiday weekend death occurred Saturday on the 710 freeway, close to the 91 Freeway in about 23: 00 A 17 year old caused driver of a pickup truck in the North fell streets from the truck on rollover, which killed a female passenger people and three other people.
A 43-year-old man from Irvine was killed, cross the eastbound lanes of the 101 Freeway after his Lexus in the West, the railing drove streets, crash, when he hit from the track. This accident occurred on Saturday evening at approximately 21: 40 in the vicinity of Laurel Canyon Boulevard. He was killed by a driver at the age of 76 of BMW from Encino.
Saturday at about 23: 00 on the 105 Freeway Boulevard was killed nearby by Somerset Ranch Road, close to paramount a 23 year old driver. The car accident occurred when a 23-year-old driver of a Honda Accord was killed, as his vehicle the 105 Freeway, traveling at high speed, striking Polish makes and then a tree left. A female passenger in the vehicle was transported to the hospital with minor injuries, and in a stable state.
Sunday a motorcyclist killed was Boulevard in the injured area of Pacific Coast Highway at approximately 14: 30 in a crash at the Topanga Canyon. Ehline law firm PC monitors holiday of road deaths as a public service all injuries victims, even if not on an unlawful death lawyer of Los Angeles. 6700 East Pacific Coast Highway # 275 long beach, CA 90803 United States + 1 562 342 9092.
California father launches campaign against distracted driving accidents
Posted on Thursday, 8 September 2011
In recent years, parents have here in California and nationwide family measures against distracted driving implemented. Drive safely with the help of documents such as the parent-teen parents have contract effectively the sound indicating that young people should stop, talk, SMS, and give you behind the wheel. In 2009, California took father Wayne Irving II this one step further when he launched, has confirmed that Textkills.com, a non-profit organization in the life since then by celebrities like Justin Bieber, Naomi Campbell, and even Simon Cowell.
Irving started textkills.com to notice how his daughter on her cell phone was hooked. Add their SMS throughout the day from the table to the living room, Irving began thinking about the more dangerous effects their so-called looking for. "I think we all know someone who was in a kind of accident that involved with SMS while driving to do," he said.
As Textkills.com had Irving and enormous success, the 36-foot bus, the nationwide teaching about the dangers of distracted driving travel largely driven. The bus has collected more than 15,000 signatures and even by the Department of transportation visit he invited White House. "It was an amazing cross country tour, 26 universities, three high schools and contain more in 29 days," said Iriving. "There was awareness of the youth, that to bring SMS, a dangerous and trivial plot while is, which can kill within seconds." "We have a lot of attention on the subject, but more needs to be done."
It's great to see, that fathers such as Irving in turn to distracted driving here in California and across the country do. But young people are also each other, the phone put their motivation while driving. Transport Minister Ray LaHood in his blog yesterday pointed out, teen distracted driving plans the national organizations for youth safety Summit for mid-October in Washington, DC at present.
So the dangers long as parents and young people alike of the word through dissemination of distracted to drive, we have a chance of cutting down on the dangerous practice, the number one cause of death among young people has become nationwide.
Photo credit: Lord Jim
Healdsburg called California bike hotspot
Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2011
California has no shortage of bicycle-friendly cities. Because many California residents of healthy lifestyles and a 'green' attitude is promotion, it no surprise that cities such as San Francisco, Berkeley, Davis and Oakland are consistently among the cities best for cyclists. We can now Healdsburg on this list, such as cycling magazine recently to the Sonoma County target of one of the cities of the country's "six best for a cycling holiday." Add
"This picturesque city is an ideal staging ground for the exploration of Sonoma wine country by bicycle," the magazine blurb reads and lists proposals for restaurants and hotels to visit at the check-out area by foot and bicycle. The magazine website provides a link to another page on great rides in Healdsburg and Sonoma counties. The other U.S. destinations mentioned were Burlington, Vermont, Charleston, South Carolina, Ketchum, Idaho, and Traverse City, Michigan.
Healdsburg residents and bicycle enthusiasts are giddy about this exhibition, even if there is more at tourism as aimed at cyclists. "The ski world, some people such as the black diamond slope and some like the Bunny slope with hot cocoa in the lodge," said Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mo McElroy, a well-known bike lover. "In cycling we go about Kings Ridge or on the way to stop and smell the tomatoes." "It's all good PR"
So, what the city if you love cycling, head over to Healdsburg, California to see has to offer. But remember to be careful. The Bay of citizen's bike accident Tracker recently showed that Bay area are suburbs of the most dangerous when it comes to motorcycle accidents and cyclists deaths. Between 2005 and 2009, for example, 930 Sonoma cyclists were involved in accidents and 8 were killed. So while cycling in Healdsburg, follow all road signs, sharing the road with drivers, and keep in mind, wear a helmet so that the city remains a bike-hot-spot, but also a place of safety for cyclists.
Photo credit: Igb
6 Important California bike accident claims
While go or your bike a terrible is A thought hit. So is the image of a pack of cyclists from an SUV is nothing short of frightening. Last year, four cyclists in the San Francisco Mission district were by injured a man in an SUV allegedly in which the San Francisco Chronicle calling "six minutes rampage." after flowed down the driver, David Mark Clark, is now four counts of attempted murder, and his lawyer has unofficially said Clark, an insanity plea will try.
While the circumstances of this incident are rare, bicycle accidents are far too common in San Francisco and throughout California. At least half a dozen large bike are accident lawsuits currently in the works or have settled in recent years for main prizes. We have more rounded five this large motorcycle accident claims. Take a look, and let us know in the comments section, if you other California motorcycle accident processes that we should add.
Recently was a 62 - years old Los Angeles cyclist struck and killed by an angry driver. The particularly tragic aspect of this accident is that no part of the disagreement between two drivers the cyclists 37-year old man running a Chevrolet Avalanche and a 23 - year old woman who had a Kia compact vehicle. The Chevrolet owner was immediately arrested by the police and the LAPD "with a possibility of submitting later" was released later accordingly. Police commented that one of the drivers could face charges, and would probably be cited in a wrongful death lawsuit.
43 Year old cyclist Michael nine in Newport Beach during the trip July 2010 was killed with a group of 25 cyclists on the morning of the 15th. The cyclists at the top of the Pack reached the Summit of Spyglass Hill Road and provided directly for the truck, screaming "Truck!" TRUCK! Truck! ", said the police report. The most cyclists were veer in the location of the road, but nine was taken and later died of injuries in the accident. Filed in June by nine family one wrongful death accident against the driver of the truck, the town Newport Beach and two neighborhood associations. The suit alleges that the city was implemented any appropriate safety signs, the neighborhood associations cannot sufficiently prevented accidents and recklessly drove the truck driver.
In June, San Francisco's transport agreed Agency, a record bike accident wrongful death control, 5.36 million $ to the family of David Wheeler. In November 2008 Wheeler established bus X Noriega by a 16, at the crossing of the lower great Highway Ocean Beach. In San Francisco Superior Court filed documents indicated that the bus driver neglected to obey stop sign before he left on the highway, not use its left-turn indicators, and you cut to the turn close all the factors, which contributed to the fatal motorcycle accident. This settlement was almost twice as high as the infamous 2009-Portal Westbahnhof accident, which injured nearly 50 passengers and caused$ 2.4 million in settlements.
Details are more gloomy in a motorcycle accident in Portola Valley, to the death of 47 - Ward led years of old professional road bicycle racer Lauren. Ward's family he worked a wrongful death claim against truckers Gabriel Manzur and the company for, Randazzo Rüstungsindustrie, who owned the truck, which Ward hit submitted. You are also entitled to San Mateo County, claimed that the deadly crash dangerous road conditions to the submitted. The California Highway Patrol claimed that Ward "unsecured made" in turning links on the Alpine road in the vicinity-280. CHP also admits that there were no eyewitnesses, and it remains unclear whether it was actually an unsafe turn made.
After the German exchange student Nils Yannick left was taken and Masonic Avenue by a drunk driver last year, has become killed at the San Francisco he such a thing as a symbol of the movement to improve the roads for cyclists San Francisco. In January of his family a wrongful death lawsuit against Joshua Calder, charged with drunk driver hit left, Calder's girlfriend, and his grandmother, the the vehicle that caused the crash in possession. Left family seeks a jury trial for General and punitive damages after the death of the 22-year-old musician and cyclist.
Fatal motorcycle accidents are always tragic for those who have lost friends and family. But the above referred complaints show that she are also at the expense of the budget a individual, a transit agency or even a city crippling can be. To improve infrastructure, to avoid massive legal fees and most importantly, to save life, seriously cutting down on serious motorcycle accidents you should reach California cities. Must you be in the meantime careful during your bike in cities and rural areas throughout California.
Google blames human, not robot for California car accident
Posted on Tuesday, August 9th, 2011
Late last week, one of the Google gives robot powered cars a minor car accident in the vicinity of Web mega-company's campus in mountain view, California. The accident involved five other vehicles, including a different Google robot-powered car, but the company was quickly complete their technology from any responsibility for the crash of futuristic, say that a man drove the car at fault at the time. The accident indicates that Google potential problems, the setting is astronaut experiment of stage for a brave new world of the street, that the question of legal liability for an accident could make much more complex.
Google wrote "Security is our top priority", in a statement last week. "One of our goals is electrified like this to prevent that a person manually the car drove occurred." Google spokesman Jay Nanacarrow added that their robot-powered cars have driven more than 160,000 km across the country claim-free before the last week. This is an impressive accomplishment, but the accident raises important questions about the future of technology, the control of vehicles on our roads and highways. Even if the car for errors of a people were expelled, such as question me, whether the other Google car crash avoided can, if it were a person behind the wheel.
About personal injury lawyer blog, writes Alan Crede on the Boston that accidents such as this increase serious questions of legal liability. Crede believes that robots powered cars nothing short of are inevitable, and that our legal system of liability should begin before, rather than revision, they take over. Take the example of theoretical a car crash with a robot car, which has not been overridden by the human driver. Is the person really blame here? Crede writes:
It would be difficult, the error involved in an accident human "driver" under the regime to keep fault-based negligence, which currently governs car accidents. After all, the behavior of the driver, which receives the accident (always in the car, the car of goal programming) caused not by the implementation of the driver, in a car, programs is its goal and safely arrives at the destination. It's hard to see how the behavior of the former rider who got in an accident can be considered negligence, in view of the fact, that our Anglo-American concept negligence requires, and that is a person for negligence have been, "unreasonable" and the driver was involved in the accident which played in the same manner as the driver, whose Reise was quite uneventful.Last week Google car accident was not the fault of the technology, it is clear that this focus on technology will lead to future dilemmas when it comes to road safety and car-accident liability. Let's just hope that we have a system for dealing with these problems, before they confuse or overwhelm the courts.
Photo credit: Racum
California car accident deaths decline, State wins federal funding
Posted on Friday, 22 July 2011In April, the Department of transportation reported that 32,788 people in car accidents nationwide the lowest number were killed last year in 60 years. The statistics were impressive in California, the 2.715 accident deaths, a 12 percent drop below 2009 numbers and the lowest number since World War II report, in accordance with the Office of traffic safety. The California OTS announced Wednesday that the Government rewarded $ 76 million on the market Federal Security grants for this impressive drop in car-accident related deaths. California must with tight budgets get on the map this Fund and will support initiatives we hope, the improvement of pedestrian and bicycle safety clever.
It is true that vehicles the largest number of accident deaths in California, consisting of 43 percent of the State total accident of fatalities account for. But other accidents, including pickup trucks, motorcycles and pedestrians, the majority of road deaths in California and in the country for victims. In fact, because 13 percent of California deaths, a small part of despite, from which the State commuters, motorcycle accidents make up bikers are also more prone to accidents than car drivers.
Of course is not to say that efforts should continue to reduce its share of car accident deaths California. The decline was the result of consistent hard work by security officials statewide. "Well run road safety campaigns by law enforcement agencies throughout the State dangerous driver behavior targeting is a factor for the further reduction of transport-related deaths and wounded," California Highway Patrol said Commissioner Joe Farrow. "Through the behavior changes of public as buckling up driving ability a driver doesn't drink and eliminating distractions, daily, progress what to lives saved."
California is ready to use the 76 million in grants to improve road safety for the State of the driver. But more than anything else, the successful campaign to reduce the deaths accident proves that the State could implement similar discounts in motorcycle and pedestrian fatalities. Even more impressive future can this safer federal funds developed, reward to the State for the improvement of road safety across the Board lead.
Photo credit: Foxtongue
Must California laws against distracted walking streets?
Posted on Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011You can see the video of a mall shopper fall seen in a well when writing a text message on your mobile phone to have. If this is not the case, you see it here. Pedestrian led some questions whether hikers regulated similarly distracted germinated laws that should drive themselves across the country breakdowns as follows. For most sounds the idea to write a ticket for a text message or absurd talking on the telephone when crossing the road. But a distracted walking law has already proposed, in New York City, and some California residents think that it should also be considered.
Johnson, for a value, says it runs constantly distracted in almost accidents with pedestrians. "First of all, if I inside a mall, only step-out and I hit it on my brakes," she said ABC local. Pedestrians are a serious problem here in California, accidents and deaths caused already this year 8 pedestrian zone. Safety advocates and officials have suggested the city to cities such as San Francisco for pedestrians to make safe the road infrastructure projects, but so far none have suggested that a California distracted walking law passed.
California Senator Joe Simitian is distracted the best-known advocate for stricter driving laws here in California. Simitian began earlier in this year also some criticism for writing, that a distracted driving law which increased fines for cyclists SMS captured or on the road speak. "The consequences of one driver much more serious than the consequences of the cycling, are distracted distracted", said California Bicycle Coalition Communications Director Jim Brown. "As far as I know it is no accident evidence on shows a Problem…this law seems premature."
Simitian defended the provision against distracted cycling, but similar logic used to the need for a law exclude distracted on foot. He said "At some point, the we just to questions people for their own healthy common sense and well-being responsible". But this does not mean, of course, that pedestrians the potential dangers of texting or phoning when crossing is to ignore the road. "If you are a pedestrian, you are more vulnerable than any of us who are at least buckled from ther in and behind the wheel of a car," he added.
You do your part to avoid additional calls for legislation for distracted walking and simply put the phone away while crossing a dangerous or busy intersection.
Photo credit: Michael Cory
Pleasanton takes microwave technology, reduce California bike accidents
Posted on Monday, August 1st, 2011If cities, which is a priority for bike security, can you not much better than California's Alameda County, which do East Bay bike Mecca, which includes Berkeley. But Alameda County is also home to one of California's most unexpectedly innovative cities when it comes to bicycle safety technology: Pleasanton. Pleasanton is in fact microwave sense use when cyclists near an intersection, which are the light to stop cars and enable the cyclist by certainly raises.
Pleasanton is the safest nor the most dangerous Bay area city, when it comes to bicycle accidents. But looks far more bicycle accidents than any other County in Northern California, San Francisco, Alameda County including according to the Bay citizen. Between 2005 and 2009, for example, 3,444 cyclists motorcycle accidents in Alameda County, compared with 2,284 in San Francisco County, were involved in. This is probably one of the reasons that Pleasanton has decided to get innovative about bike safety. "I would like to know, we are bike-friendly,", SR. said the city transportation engineer Joshua Pack. "We are not active, yelling and screaming, we do it, but we are behind the scenes."
Pleasanton installed one who these censors on the corner of Foothill road and Stoneridge was drive first in January 2010 and the trial period so successfully that six have already added urban planners to the microwave sensors, and four additional plan. But InsideBayArea reported that throughout California and as far as that on the bike sensor technology are very interested in Tennessee and approached with questions about its effectiveness and implementation of Pleasanton removed elsewhere.
Residents and officials in the Pleasanton are confident that the sensors, the cost of $4,000 to $5,000 will drastically improve every bicycle safety. "Before (the light) so much time, so that you more difficult to make it cycle had not to be." They also wanted to get caught in the middle. And if not, you were the light to come a sitting duck for people, "Pleasanton cyclist said Jim Ott."
This is part of a regional California streets to make more complete for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians alike. Cities have proposed new programs that would make the roads safer by reducing the number of vehicle lanes in favor of the bike trails and more sidewalk space for cyclists throughout Northern California. Such programs that move to the front in cities such as San Jose, San Francisco and Santa Clara, to reduce vehicle speeds and to promote an approach of "Share of the road" in the city.
I am very optimistic about what Pleasanton microwave sensor technology, as well as complete streets proposals throughout the State. But these are not a substitute for normal steps you need to take to ensure your own safety while cycling. Obey all traffic signs and wear the appropriate safety equipment, every time, if you get on a bike, to prevent avoidable motorcycle accidents. And keep in mind, enjoy the streets!
Photo credit: Dylan Passmore
California Bay area bike paths reduce could car accidents
Posted on Friday, July 29th, 2011Whether you drive a car or ride a bike, there is no question that security must improve street here in California. 2009 Almost 1,300 people killed accidents were in the car and bicycle accidents here 100 killed in California alone. In accordance with the fatality analysis reporting system mourns California more than 3,000 road deaths per year if you add pedestrian and motor cycles to the mix. Fortunately, the San Jose Mercury reports news, that could all change thanks to a series of street makeovers in the Bay area.
Cities throughout California have proposed traffic plan to ease congestion and roads by reducing vehicle streets in favour of pedestrian spaces and bike paths safe to make. Of course, as confusion in any action which commutes with peoples, these measures have become quickly contentious of debate. Critics say that less vehicle lanes will lead to more traffic with little benefit for the city dwellers. Advocates, point to the other side on studies that show a direct relationship between increased bicycle passenger numbers and lives saved.
Bike-lane advocates also argue that the United States no longer the country half a century ago at cars and Highways had to wed. "Since decades planning focused on the efficient movement of the car", the transport Director Hans Larsen said Department San José. "The result was communities, which are dependent on cars and are not conducive for hiking and biking, and transit."
So if implemented without too much of a public outcry, the transport policies described below could be to cities throughout California place more emphasis on cycling, hiking and around road safety lead. "By design and create more complete streets, to choose people able to walk, drive, bike or take transit", said Chadrick Smalley, Richmond development project manager. "Roads, which are made exclusively often not feasible for car travel approval this election and instead force to drive the people."
Take a look at the streets throughout California, planned reforms as it was from the San Jose Mercury News:
San Jose: High speed one-way streets on the fourth and St. James Street will be converted to two-way streets to bring speed and to facilitate pedestrian traffic.San Francisco: Traffic light on Valencia Street are now the speed of cyclists, not cars. The city has also proposed city rivals cycle paths and new cycling routes to oak and fell streets.Santa Clara: The city is Avenue a trail on the Pruneridge to remove space for a new bicycle path.The most important development projects are currently in the works. But some few cities in California, Oakland, Hayward, Pleasanton, San Mateo and Redwood City, vamping are also their efforts to improve the bike and vehicle security. Are you friendly efforts for this bike? Let us know what you think in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.
Photo credit: Paul Kruger
