Millions of dollars are up for grabs for states that decide to beef up their road laws to help to reduce the risks of car accidents in New York and elsewhere.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), Congress recently decided to include some very important safety provisions in its Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill. Some of these provisions target distracted driving car accidents, others encourage states to reduce the risks of teen car accidents. These kinds of collisions are so common that experts predict that about a quarter of all car accidents involve a driver who was on their cell phone at the time of the collision. Car accidents are also the leading killer for teens across the country. Both of these statistics helped to make it a clear decision for Congress regarding which accident types to target in this bill.
New York injury attorneys know recent studies show that tougher and stricter road laws help to improve the safety of all travelers. With more enforcement of these laws, the number of accidents typically declines. Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the NSC says that she is so grateful that Congress has taken the next step to help to prevent these kinds of accidents. She adds that the bill will help to encourage states to make the changes to their current laws to beef up regulation and enforcement.
There were similar incentives offered to states in recent years for enacting seat belt laws and drunk driving laws. In all cases where states adopted these tougher standards, fewer accidents resulted. Officials are hoping that another round of incentives and even more encouragement will help to sway state legislators to make the right move.
This bill is offering nearly $15 million in monetary incentives to states that enhance their Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) programs. These programs help to gradually expose our young and inexperienced drivers to the dangers of driving. They’re able to master a number of driving skills through stages of restricted driving. Some of the most effective GDL programs include driving curfews, passenger restrictions and supervising driving time requirements.
There another $23 million in monetary incentives up for grabs for states that choose to improve their distracted driving laws. In the state of New York, all drivers are prohibited from using a hand-held cell phone and from text messaging at the wheel. While we may have some of the strictest laws in the country, we may need a little more enforcement to make sure that drivers are abiding.
The new bill also includes funding for distracted driving research.
The Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC represents victims of car accidents in Manhattan, New York City, the Bronx and throughout New York. Call 1-877-313-7673 for a free consultation.
More Blog Entries:
Teen Car Accidents a Primary Summer Threat in New York, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, June 12, 2012
Car Accidents in New York – Strong GDL Programs Save Lives, Says IIHS, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, June 5, 2012
