Month: October 2016

Maryland parents can help teach their teens safer driving habits by modeling behavior such as not using their cellphones while they are behind the wheel. They can also teach them to speak to a distracted driver they are in the car with rather than remaining silent. This is critical because teen drivers are most at risk in motor vehicle accidents. It is the leading cause of death for teens, and about 3,000 die each year in traffic fatalities. The likelihood of a teen dying in a car crash is almost

Continue reading Teen drivers at risk for motor vehicle accidents…

Road construction is often done at night to avoid rush-hour traffic, but people who do not obey the roadwork signs pose a risk to police officers and construction workers. Maryland law requires drivers to move to a lane farther away or slow down considerably. It is intended to prevent accidents and injuries to law enforcement officers, tow truck drivers, and other workers. On Oct. 16, a Maryland State Police trooper was in his car with the emergency lights flashing on I-95 while helping to close lanes for repairs to the road. The

Continue reading State trooper injured in a construction zone accident…

New research and medical advancements are coming out that show promise regarding treatment for spinal cord injuries and paralysis. Nathan Copeland experienced the difficulties associated with paralysis firsthand. More than a decade ago, Mr. Copeland lost his ability to move his hands as well as his ability to feel what his fingers touch due to a spinal cord injury sustained in a car crash. Now, thanks to research conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Mr. Copeland has gained a new way to connect to the world around him.

Continue reading Brain implant allows paralyzed man to regain sense of touch…

Behavioral changes among drivers in Maryland and advances in autonomous vehicle technology could improve safety on U.S. roads. At least that’s what the U.S. Department of Transportation believes. The problem of traffic fatalities and injuries has spiked in recent years. According to the National Safety Council, 2015 saw a 7.2 percent rise deaths, and the first six months of 2016 have already produced a 9 percent increase compared to the same period from the year before. The DOT has responded to the problem with a plan to eliminate all deaths and injuries

Continue reading DOT promotes goal of zero traffic deaths and injuries…

Maryland residents may have heard about the fatal train crash that occurred in New Jersey on Sept. 29. One person was killed and over 100 other people were injured when a train crashed into the station platform during the morning commute. On Oct. 2, the National Transportation Safety Board held a press conference to discuss what happened and answer questions. According to the NTSB, the engineer who was operating the train when the fatal accident occurred has no recollection of what happened. The 48-year-old man was reportedly well rested when

Continue reading Train engineer sheds no light on reason for train crash…