driving safety

Rise in Pedestrian Deaths gets National Spotlight

January 25, 2024 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The New York Times recently examined the growing epidemic of pedestrian accidents, particularly those that occur at night, concluding walking deaths have reached a 41-year high.

Recently released federal data shows that 7,500 pedestrians were killed in 2022.

The data published by the Governors Highway Safety Associations showed pedestrian deaths are up 77 percent from the 4,302 deaths reported in 2010, compared to an increase of 25 percent for all types of traffic fatalities. Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Cape Coral and Fort Myers have long warned of the risks to walkers here in Southwest Florida, which has repeatedly been identified as among the most dangerous areas for walkers in the United States.

Rainy Season Brings Accident Risks

May 6, 2023 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The start of summer rainy season increases accidents risks on the roads of Southwest Florida.

If you are a veteran motorist here in South Florida, you are aware of the startling ferocity of sudden afternoon summer storms, which can quickly eliminate visibility. If you are new to the area, understand driving can quickly become all but impossible and the best move is often to pull over to a safe location and wait out these fast moving thunderstorms.

In either case, reviewing best driving practices can help keep you and your family safe.

Rainy Weather Brings Accidents Risks in SWFL

May 7, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

This week’s torrential rains across much of Southwest Florida are a reminder that rainy season is upon us, and is perhaps arriving a bit early this year.

If you are new to Southwest Florida, or just visiting, the force of tropical rain storms may take you by surprise. While rain storms up north typically build to several moments of blinding rain, storms in South Florida are likely to result in blinding rain from start to finish. While such downpours are typically relatively brief, they can reduce visibility to zero and quickly make safe driving impossible.

COVID Impacting Teen Drivers’ Ed in SWFL

September 13, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Autumn is traditionally the time of year when many teenagers get their driver’s licenses. Those eligible by age through the summer and autumn often enroll in driver’s education classes at their local high school.

Like traditional schooling, COVID restrictions are impacting driver’s education in many ways, including less in-person class time and behind the wheel training in favor of virtual and online education models.

Parents, Employers, Can Reduce Road Risks

August 27, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The National Safety Council has launched a campaign targeting the Big Three road threats: distracted driving, drunk driving and speeding.

Our car accident attorneys recently posted ways motorists can help keep themselves safer as the world attempts a return to near-normal amid the coronavirus pandemic. As we noted in “Understand Road Risks can Prevent Collisions,” safe driving is a learned and practiced activity.

As the NSC notes, more than 40,000 people were killed on the roads annually each year leading up to the pandemic, as record economic activity pushed fatalities near record highs. The organization is now targeting employers and parents, urging them to better advocate road safety to employees and teenagers.

Elderly Drivers at Risk During COVID Lockdown

July 29, 2020 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Our car accident attorneys in Fort Myers and Cape Coral know elderly driving accidents can be caused by a number of factors, including deteriorating eyesight, muscle stiffness and slowed reaction, prescription drug use, and declining mental acuity.

These risk factors counter a number of safe driving habits routinely adopted by older drivers, including obeying the speed limit, wearing seat belts and often driving during daylight off-peak hours.

Unfortunately, the impact of the COVID quarantine means we do not have the same opportunities to check on our older loved ones. They may also be cut off from social functions that would otherwise have kept them more active and engaged. While many businesses, including grocery stores, have adopted senior hours to help keep older populations safer, these are not enough to counteract the negative impact of months of isolation.