An article in the Madison WI Capitol Times, there is good news on the fatality front for that state in the first month of their new primary seatbelt law. July was the first full month where police could pull over drivers for drivers and/or front seat passangers not wearing a seatbelt.  There were a total of 44 deaths on Wisconsin’s roads in July 2009. Compared to July 2008 it’s 18 fewer deaths, a dramatic...

A report issued by NHTSA indicates an important and hopped for trend; overall traffic deaths are seeing a decline. Following the great news that overall traffic deaths were down in 2008 and in fact, over the last 4 years, that trend continues for the first quarter of 2009 as well. Not only that, but the declines are getting larger in scope. The data from 2008 shows total traffic fatalities 37,261, a drop of...

The Tennesean gets this week’s nod for worst article of the week. We certainly wouldn’t accuse the author Sarah Longwell of being a forlorned alcoholic, but she sure does make a case for raising the BAC limits and slowing enforcement! Bravo Sarah! I just pray that you or one of your family members does not fall victim to those you seem to support! Having been in a fatal drunk driving accident myself (I wasn’t...

Cleveland OH — Based on cell phone records before and during the accident that killed a pedestrian, Angela Williams, 49, a former bus driver for the RTA in Ohio was indicted on aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular homicide, and vehicular manslaughter by the Cuyahoga County prosecutor’s office. On March 14, 2009, Patrick Merrill was legally in a crosswalk in downtown Cleveland as the RTA bus driven by...

A report recently released by the Florida Department of Health shows falls are the leading cause of death and injury in residents 64 and older. We all assume that it’s heart disease and cancer, but this study show a different story. According to the report, in 2007 some 1,700 Floridians suffered fatal injuries from a fall and more than 53,000 required hospitalization and treatment.The study showed that more...

When top tier tech blogs start raising alarms about highway safety, you certainly have a problem on your hands. It’s hard to say how much of recent alarm is hyperbole and how much is fact. There have been a lot of opinion articles lately that consider texting while driving more dangerous than drunk driving. Almost as dangerous is certainly not hyperbole. Mostly the hyperbole comes behind statements like “much...

Colorado skates on primary seat belt law On May 4, the Colorado House Committee on Appropriations voted to indefinitely postpone Senate Bill 09–296, which would have made seatbelt violations in the state a primary offense. The House’s actions effectively kill the bill and the state’s opportunity to receive between $12 and $14 million dollars in additional federal funding. However, given the federal...

According to a survey by the Illinois Dept. of Transportation, drivers in that state are buckling up in record numbers. The Statewide survey showed that 91.7% of drivers and front seat pass angers are now buckling up, an amazing 15% up tick since 2003.

Va. road deaths lowest since 1966  The Washington Times reported: