Most people recognize that an accident with one of the big rigs cruising the highways of New York could be catastrophic. These commercial vehicles can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, and the group Road Safe America holds the position that large trucks should not exceed speeds of 65 mph. The group cited speeding as partially to blame for the increase in fatal truck accidents from 2009 through 2017.
Seven conditions that migraines are misdiagnosed as
Migraines can be mistaken for a variety of conditions, and even when they are part of another condition, doctors sometimes fail to treat them as a separate concern. According to one study, only 1 in 20 patients in New York and across the U.S. gets an accurate headache or migraine diagnosis. Below are seven conditions that migraines are commonly misdiagnosed as.
Truck drivers struggle with fatigue on long hauls
Truck drivers spend long hours transporting cargo throughout New York and the rest of America. Drivers whose duties require them to travel long distances struggle the most with fatigue. Statistics about trucking accidents reveal the extent of the traffic hazards associated with long-haul truckers. Accidents arising from trips of over 51 miles accounted for 65 percent of commercial truck accidents. Surveys of truck drivers have exposed the disturbing fact that many of them have actually fallen asleep behind the wheel.
The cause of half of all pediatric safety errors
Safety errors in medicine are more common than most people would like to admit, and their consequences can be devastating for pediatric victims in New York. While human mistakes are one factor in the problem, errors in electronic health records may be the most significant. According to a study from Health Affairs, more than half of all errors that occurred in a pediatric setting were the result of wrong records. Incorrect delivery of medications was one of the primary consequences.
Avoiding car accidents in the winter
Drivers in New York who are preparing for the winter should keep these tips in mind. First, they should let a mechanic check all vehicle components for them, including the battery, spark plugs, ignition and brakes. A mechanic could also ensure the right antifreeze levels and tire pressure. Drivers' vehicles should be equipped with a tank of gas, fresh antifreeze and an emergency kit containing essentials like jumper cables, a first-aid kit and an ice scraper.
Tips for safe winter driving
New York drivers often dread the winter. Not only is the weather cold and wet, but it also makes area roads slippery and dangerous. That's why motorists should take extra precautions to stay safe.
Brake Safety Week sidelines almost 5,000 commercial vehicles
Everyone in New York has to share the road with commercial vehicles, and well-maintained brakes play a significant role in the safe operation of trucks and buses. To promote compliance, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance organized a week-long inspection spree throughout North America. During Brake Safety Week in 2018, inspectors checked 35,080 commercial vehicles, and 4,955 of them had to be placed out of service for safety violations.
Driving safely in bright sunlight
Bright sunlight can cause a hazard for New York drivers when they are unable to see other vehicles and road signs. Drivers can take several steps to reduce the risk of being temporarily blinded by bright sunlight.
Tesla issues several safety claims on its Autopilot system
Many New York motorists are interested in autonomous driving technologies, especially for the safety boost that they could provide. When human error is taken out of the driving equation, car accidents could decline dramatically. So far, however, it's not clear how well the existing semi-autonomous systems perform in improving roadway safety. In Tesla's recently published voluntary report, the automaker claims that drivers who use its Autopilot system to automate some driving functions are less likely to be involved in a car accident.
Car accidents increase along with legalized marijuana
New Yorkers have repeatedly shown widespread support for cannabis legalization. In fact, a working group has been formed to write a bill to make recreational marijuana legal in the state. Still, many drivers are concerned about the potential for roadway accidents caused by drivers under the influence. Some have urged for more research to determine safe and unsafe levels of cannabis exposure for drivers, much like the legal limits for blood-alcohol content that regulate drunk driving.
