In our society, racial minorities face discrimination on the job, on the street and elsewhere in their lives. But one startling statistic from a Johns Hopkins University study shows another shocking disparity: Black motorcyclists have a higher chance of dying in a...
Year: 2018
Legal cannabis linked to increase in car crashes
As people in Virginia and across the country debate the legalization of recreational marijuana, some have wondered if motor vehicle laws are keeping up with the times. Cannabis legalization has led to more people driving under the influence. This issue is especially...
Groups call for mandatory crash avoidance tech on large trucks
Virginia residents who are concerned about truck safety may wonder if crash avoidance systems could help in any way. While such systems can certainly reduce the number of crashes, they are currently not mandated for commercial trucks. A report given by The Kansas City...
NHTSA’s 2017 data shows rise in large truck crash deaths
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released a new report on 2017 crash trends based on data from its Fatality Analysis Reporting System. What Virginia residents should know is that in a year that saw a decline in all segments of car crash deaths,...
Study finds drivers over-reliant on car safety systems
If Virginia drivers are like most Americans, they are overestimating the abilities of their vehicle's advanced safety technologies. As a result, they could be at risk for causing a serious accident, according to a new study. Advanced safety technologies like blind...
Steps you can take to avoid distraction behind the wheel
Distracted driving has gone from a niche issue to a major concern for all drivers on the road. People have chosen to drive distracted for as long as motor vehicles have existed, but mobile technology makes distraction easier and more tempting than ever before. Our...
More mobile workers are getting in distracted driving crashes
According to a new report, mobile workers in Virginia could be getting in more distracted driving-related car accidents. Not surprisingly, smartphone use while driving is behind the trend. Researchers from Motus, a Boston-based vehicle management and reimbursement...
Driving safely in the rainy months
Motorists in Virginia should take extra care to be safe on the roads during the rainy season, which begins at the end of June and ends in September. Rain, thunderstorms and hail can create hazardous conditions on the road, some of which can result in hydroplaning....
Realistic drivers’ ed supplement improves teens’ risk awareness
Researchers at Baylor University have analyzed the effect of a reality-based supplemental drivers' education program on teen participants, and the results may be of interest to parents of teen drivers in Virginia. The program is called the Texas Reality Education for...
The role of safety tech in reducing backup crashes
For Virginia residents who own new vehicles but not their safety add-ons, the following study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety may be of interest. The IIHS tested the effectiveness of rear automatic brakes in reducing backup crashes and found that they...