New Uber Software Tracks Drivers' Habits to Prevent Distracted Driving

One of the expectations that comes with getting a ride from an Uber driver is that they will be following all traffic laws and practicing safe driving habits. However, that is not always the case, as some Uber drivers have been seen holding the wheel with one hand and their cell phone in the other hand for directions. In an effort to promote safer driving habits for its drivers, Uber has announced a new software rollout which will send daily reports of a driver’s driving patterns back to the company, will remind drivers to take a break before getting drowsy, and will send drivers a message which reminds them not to hold their phone in their hands while driving.

While Uber has said the measurements won’t be used to penalize drivers, the metrics do track activities that are often seen in some of the lowest rated drivers. “To get the measurements, Uber will track the movement of the phones’ gyrometers and accelerometers to assess the speed and movement of the phone. This raises some privacy questions, especially as Uber still categorizes its workers as independent contractors, rather than employees,” Karis Hustard wrote for ChicagoInno.

While the program will run for two months in only 11 cities across the United States, the company says that it will evaluate after that and decide if it wants to expand elsewhere.

UBER AND DRUNK DRIVING

As we gear up for the end of summer, which is infamous for drunk driving accidents, Uber ran a poll of its users across the country to see how the service interacts with intoxicated driving. 95% of respondents said that Uber helps reduce drunk driving in the community, and an additional 84% said that Uber allowed them personally to avoid drinking and driving. “We’ve seen again and again that when people have a reliable way to get home safely at the push of a button — no matter the time or place —they make safer choices,” Uber wrote on its website. 

If you feel there is even a slight chance you might not be in the right condition to drive, calling a public transportation service such as Uber may save your life and the lives of others. Additionally, if you have been in an auto accident caused by a driver who was impaired or distracted at the time of the accident, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys will fight to get you the help you deserve. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

Michigan State Police Trooper Injured in Accident on I-696

A Michigan State Police (MSP) Trooper was injured on Monday, July 25, 2016 on eastbound I-696 after his vehicle was hit by a large construction van. MSP reported to the Detroit Free Press that the crash happened around 7 A.M. when troopers responded to a vehicle in a ditch on eastbound I-696 near Lodge Freeway. 

“The trooper pulled over to the right shoulder and was struck by a large construction state van hauling a piece of equipment,” MSP First Lt. Mike Shaw said in a statement. The injured officer, who has yet to be identified, was rushed to Providence Hospital with injuries to the face, back, and head. Luckily, his injuries do not appear to be life threatening. The driver of the construction van vehicle was not injured and state troopers are still continuing to investigate the accident, Shaw reported. The crash caused all lanes of I-696 to be shut down around M-10, but the area has since been cleared and re-opened. 

The accident took place a week after MSP officials held a news conference to discuss Michigan’s “Move Over” law, which requires motorists to move over for stationary emergency vehicles with their lights activated or slow down and pass with caution if it’s not possible to safely change lanes, according to the Detroit Free Press. “It’s just kind of ironic that exactly one week ago we were standing in the same parking lot talking about the Move Over law...and now we have a smashed patrol car sitting here. The picture above was posted by the MSP Twitter account (@mspmetrodet) with the caption “This is why you need to pay attention while driving. Give a lane.”

According to MSP, a 2014 statewide survey commissioned by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning reported that 80% of motorists were aware of the move over law, but only 60% were aware that the law also applies to tow trucks. Shaw stated that it’s not uncommon for troopers to get hit while parked on the side of the road.

“One of the things we see all the time is the distracted driving on our freeway system. For us, we understand that humans are curious people by nature and everyone wants to take a peek. This is one of the reasons you’ll see us close two or three lanes for a crash, not only to protect our troopers, EMS and tow trucks, but also to protect the people at the crash scene,” MSP First Lt. Mike Shaw stated. 

Distracted driving, whether it's taking a Snapchat photo or sending a quick text, can affect your life forever. Taking your eyes off the road for even two seconds can be dangerous, potentially causing serious injuries or death. If you or somebody you know has been injured in an auto accident involving a distracted driver, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Whether it is a sore back, broken leg, or a Traumatic Brain Injury, Michigan drivers are entitled to reimbursement for auto accident related medical expenses, wage loss, and oftentimes pain and suffering compensation. Our attorneys will work alongside you to identify which areas of aid you need, and get you the help you deserve. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

Pokemon Go Causing Havoc for Drivers & Pedestrians?

In case you haven’t heard, or haven’t “caught them all,” Pokemon Go has swept the nation. The immensely popular augmented-reality game played on a smartphone app and available on iOS and Android has captivated the attention of casual and dedicated young and old, but unfortunately there have been reports of dangerous side effects. 

The free game, which was launched on July 6, 2016 has already surpassed “Candy Crush Saga” as the biggest mobile game in United States history with millions of active daily users. Pokemon Go has separated itself from other video games because it encourages players to get outside and walk in an effort to find virtual characters based on a GPS-powered map that reflects the real world location in which players are standing. 

While you will see players venturing around the neighborhood park or downtown streets by foot, players are also driving to different locations which is causing major problems. On July 12, 2016 an illegally parked car on Texas A&M University’s campus was struck from behind after the driver had parked and exited the car to catch a Pokemon sustaining injuries in the process.

The following day in Auburn, New York, 28-year-old Steven Cary crashed his car into a tree while playing Pokemon Go.  The distracted driver suffered minor injuries but the vehicle sustained major damage due to the crash.

“a fun game can have tragic real-world consequences”

Incidents such as these have forced authorities to create new policies and guidelines for players. Due to a large amount of photos being taken of Pokemon characters from behind the wheel, the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has been issuing public safety warnings. DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan reminded the public that “a fun game can have tragic real-world consequences,” and asked New Yorkers to “put their phones down instead of playing the popular Pokemon Go game while behind the wheel or walking near or across roadways.” According to The Daily Beast, local police departments are regularly posting reminders about the dangers of Pokemon Go, “Don’t catch and drive” messages have been posted on many public safety Facebook and Twitter feeds, and even highway emergency notices have read “Don’t Pokemon and Drive.”

Unfortunately, it’s not just car accidents that have public safety officials concerned. Last Wednesday, firefighters were called to rescue two men in North San Diego County, California who had walked off a cliff while playing the game, causing injuries. The two men were not playing the game together, but had the same result. Firefighters only found the second man, who was unconscious a few feet below. 

Catching Pokemon...and Staying Safe

The Frankenmuth (Michigan) Police Department released a full statement urging parents to talk with their children about the dangers of playing the game, and reminded drivers that it’s never a good idea to drive and play at the same time. They have also provided the public with safety tips for “catching them all”:

  • Be aware of your surroundings. Look up and be aware of who is around you besides Pokemon. 
  • Parents limit places kids can go. Set boundaries and timelines to avoid danger areas where children will venture unattended and require to routinely check in using their cell phone. 
  • Don’t “Pokemon Go” and drive: Catching Pikachu isn’t worth crashing. 
  • Tell people where you’re going and play in a group and stay with them. 
  • Don’t trespass it is not just disrespectful...it can be dangerous. People might call the police if you enter private property and your Pokemon can’t help you. 
  • If you are stopped by police: show them you are playing a game since more than likely they are responding to a suspicious person call which has been called into 911 by a citizen. 

Distracted driving is a big problem in the United States without Pokemon Go, but the game according to some, has added cause for drivers to be extra caution while out on the road. If you or somebody you know has been injured in an accident because the driver was distracted playing Pokemon Go or any other reason, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Speak to an experienced lawyer who will fight for you to get the appropriate aid needed, including wage loss recovery, medical transportation, and in many cases, pain and suffering compensation. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free legal consultation. 

Driving While Watching Porn Causes Michigan Man's Death

The Michigan State Police recently investigated a car accident in which a 58 year-old man crashed his car and died while he was watching porn on his phone while driving. The incident occurred around 3:30 A.M. on a Sunday when a car was reported to have crashed on the ramp from Lodge to I-75, in Detroit, Michigan. The driver of the car was later determined to be Clifford Ray Jones of Detroit, Michigan.

Jones's 1996 Toyota rolled on the ramp causing Jones to be ejected from the driver's seat and thrown out of the sunroof. Furthermore, after the investigation determined that Jones was distracted by the porn video on his phone, it was also revealed that he was not wearing a seat belt.

According to Lt. Mike Shaw, this is one of the many cases that he has seen where technology distracted drivers. However, this was the first time he had seen a person watching porn on his phone, as the form of distraction. He stated that ‘We see people putting on makeup, we see people doing different things as far as hygiene, as far as reading books, it’s almost to the fact there’s so much technology out there, a lot of people are more paying attention to what they’re doing other than driving their cars.”

Whether it is talking on the phone while driving, texting while driving, using GPS, or another phone function, using technology can be deadly for drivers. It should be considered common sense to not watch a movie on a phone while driving. However, many people have a habit of using technology while driving and believing that situations like Mr. Jones's could never happen to them. Though this particular incident may seem like a peculiar outlier, it should be considered a serious warning to those who use their phones while driving, as it ended in a man's death. Even if drivers are willing to put their own lives at risk by driving while distracted, they should consider the lives of those driving around them. One missed phone call or one missed text message could save a life.

If you know someone or are someone has a victim of a distracted driver, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Speak to a lawyer who is experienced in handling all types of Michigan motor vehicle accidents, including those involving technology and other forms of distracted driving accidents. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM, for a free consultation. Don't let a distracted driver's bad decisions hinder your recovery.

Michigan State Police Enforcing Distracted Driving Laws

Drivers might want to think twice the next time they want to send a text or take a Snapchat while driving around the Sterling Heights, Michigan intersection of Hall Road and Schoenherr Road. Police have promised to crack down on distracted driving around that intersection, as it has been ranked by the Michigan State Police as the 8th most dangerous intersection in Michigan. 

The tight enforcement of distracted driving will be a team effort, as the intersection falls on the city borders of Utica, Sterling Heights, and Shelby Township. The video news story posted on ClickOnDetroit this morning featured an officer pulling over a driver who was traveling 60 mph, which is well over the posted speed limit of 45 mph. Going 15 miles per hour over the speed limit is legal grounds for a reckless driving ticket. Within a time frame of less than an hour, officers at the intersection pulled over several other drivers for careless driving, reckless driving, and distracted driving. 

“This is a matter of life and death. We have people on the streets dying in the United States of America because somebody felt it was so important to respond to a text or an email while driving,” Sterling Heights Police Department Chief John Berg said. The tri-city effort to curb distracted driving in the area is being called “Operation Blue Light”. 

As previously stated, this intersection is ranked the 8th most dangerous intersection in the state of Michigan. Leading causes to this ranking are the speed that drivers travel at on Hall Road, as well as the high volume of traffic the area experiences on a daily basis. Add in a dose of distracted driving, and the likelihood of an auto accident increases dramatically. "If you just look around in your cars you will see everyone on their cell phones, it’s actually kind of embarrassing,” Shelby Township Police Chief Robert Shelide told Local 4 News. 

The enhanced crackdown on distracted driving will begin on June 20th, as police will be looking for drivers who are not paying attention to the road or are using their cell phones while driving. The police departments want drivers to know that they are not doing this to simply write tickets, but to save a life instead. Traffic signs and billboards will be scattered throughout the area to bring awareness to drivers. 

If a driver feels it is necessary to use their cell phone while in the vehicle, they are strongly encouraged to pull over and come to a complete stop before sending a message or picture. Distracted driving is becoming a dangerous trend in the United States. Cell phones are estimated to be involved in 1.6 million automobile accidents each year, leading to 6,000 fatalities, according to Don’tTextandDrive.com. 

Distracted drivers not only put other drivers' lives at risk, they also put their own lives at risk. No text or email or picture is worth ruining someone's life over. If you our somebody you know has been injured in an auto accident because of distracted driving, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys realize the long-term physical and emotional effects a car accident may have on a victim, and they will not rest until you get the help that you deserve. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

Snapchat's "Speed Filter" Allegedly Causing Accidents on the Road?

Distracted Driving Car Crash Lawyer

Snapchat, the increasingly popular picture phone app, is now at the center of attention for those looking for causes of distracted driving. Many are pointing to the app’s “speed filter” feature which allows drivers to track how fast they are going, tag it on a photo, and share it with their friends. Because pictures and videos disappear in 10 seconds or less, drivers allegedly become more distracted from the road and place more focus on the picture before it’s gone. According to the United States Department of Transportation, distracted driving activities such as sending or receiving pictures can take your eyes off of the road for about 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, that is similar to driving the length of a football field blindfolded. 

Snapchat Speed Filter Car Crash Lawyer

In April, Georgia resident Wentworth Maynard sued Snapchat and a young driver for a car crash that left him with serious brain injuries. The lawsuit alleges that a young driver was driving at speeds over 100 mph because she was using the filter. While distracted, the driver crashed into the Mitsubishi that Maynard was driving. He suffered major brain trauma as a result. The accident took place in Clayton County, and the minimum driver’s insurance is $25,000, an amount which will likely not be enough to cover Maynard’s medical costs. 

Following the suit, Snapchat released the following statement: 

“No Snap is more important than someone’s safety. We actively discourage our community from using the speed filter while driving, including the ‘Do NOT Snap and Drive’ warning message in the app itself.” 

Drivers should remember that no text or picture is important enough to take their eyes off the road while driving. If it's an urgent matter, drivers should pull over to the side of the road. Taking this cautious step will not only help reduce the chances of you getting injured in a car accident, but it can also help save the lives of other drivers on the road. 

If you or someone you know has been in an accident caused by distracted driving, feel free to call The Michigan Law Firm PLLC. Our attorneys are experienced in handling these types of accidents, and will get you the help you need. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation. 

Hands Free Technology in Cars Makes Driving Safer

Could driving while using your smartphone make the roads safer? Well, we are about to soon find out, as automotive companies are partnering up with Android and iOS operating systems, allowing consumers to start seeing some added technology to their driving experience. As people become more connected, so will the things around them, especially as a part of the "auto industry's strategy and new product development," says Project Manager Andrew Brenner from Google's Android Auto.

In January, in Detroit, Michigan, Brenner spoke at the Automotive News World Congress and said, "Consumers are finally starting to shop for cars with the expectation that the vehicles operate with the technology, design and pace of innovation that they are used to with their mobile phones."

 

Texting and Driving Car Accident

Digital technology is vastly changing the driving experience from “connecting” to being “connected.” Consumers, under the strain of trying to use their phones in the safest way possible while driving and being under the radar from law enforcement, can now gain better piece of mind that their mobile device will have full functionally on their dash.

Android Auto, for example, which launched back in 2015, already offers user many apps including Pandora, iHeartRadio and Skype. The platform, which has 60 partners as of January, 2016, and has plans of increasing by 20 more according to Benner, was designed “with safety in mind.” With future plans of adding Google Maps with voice-guided navigation, live traffic information, lane guidance, on-demand Google Play Music, and voice calling in addition to messaging abilities, Android Auto could potentially provide users with a better and safer driving experience.

"Anything we can do to reduce distraction for people in their cars-whether they have an Android or iPhone-I think is a huge benefit," says Brenner.

Like its competitor, Apple Carplay offers similar apps although with a slightly different interface. iPhone users can also expect to gain more connectivity and options in their motor vehicles in the years to come.

With more hands free access, lawmakers may have to adjusts the rules for driving while using a cellular device.

But the bigger debate may not be which platform is better for drivers, but whether this new technology will have an effect on smartphone related automobile accidents. The National Safety Council, a nonprofit organization that stands on advocating safety for over 100 years, seems to think so. Back in 2012, the organization published a study titled “Understanding the Distracted Brain: Why Driving While Using Hands-Free Cell Phones is Risky Behavior,” indicating that cognitive use is a form of “distracted driving,” pointing at hands-free phones as the risky behavior. It’s no secret distracted driving incidents inflate lawsuits, injuries, and deaths. Subsequently, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and the automotive industry should get ready as cognitive distraction may become a hot topic in the coming future.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an auto accident involving a distracted driver, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in handling all types of car crashes. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Smart Watches May Distract Drivers

According to a recent Transportation Research Laboratory (TRL) study, researchers have concluded that smart watches like the new Apple Watch may distract drivers.   Experts say using smart watches while driving can reduce the reaction time of the driver leading to a higher chance of causing an auto accident.

TRL determined that  reading a message on a smart watch would take the driver 2.52 seconds to react to an emergency, compared to 1.85 seconds for using a smartphone or 0.9 seconds for speaking to another passenger in the vehicle. 

The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC helps those who have been injured in auto accidents.  Call us at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation with our experienced local team.

 

Sources:  

Transportation Research Laboratory

Huffington Post