Brake Safety Week is an inspection spree that the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance holds every year across North America to enforce brake safety regulations among CMVs, especially big rigs. CMV drivers in New York will want to mark September 15 on their calendar because this will be the start of the 2019 Brake Safety Week. Inspections are held at random, and those who are caught violating regulations will be put out of service until the issue is fixed.
Keeping away from distractions while on the road
Distracted driving is behind thousands of fatalities every year around the country, so it is important that New York motorists know what to do to avoid it. It begins with knowing what constitutes a distraction, which can include everything from the use of phones and navigation systems to basic activities like eating, drinking and talking. Parents should also ensure that their teen drivers know this.
External airbag technology could reduce injury risk
External airbags might soon be more common on New York roads. A company that designs and manufactures the airbags, ZF, has released research indicating that external airbags can reduce the severity of crash injuries by as much as 40%. The airbags are designed to inflate on the outside of the vehicle immediately before a collision and act as an extra buffer or crumple zone, reducing the force of the impact.
One-third of misdiagnoses lead to death or disabilities
Medical malpractice has led to permanent disability and even death for many patients in New York. According to researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, one-third of all malpractice cases ending in death or a disability involve either a misdiagnosis or a delayed diagnosis. Every year in this country, there are between 40,000 and 80,000 hospital patients who die because of a misdiagnosis.
Feds set to relax trucker hours-of-service rules
New York readers may be concerned to learn that the Trump administration is preparing to ease federal regulations that limit the number of hours commercial truck drivers can be on the road each day. The move has long been urged by trucking industry lobbyists, including the American Trucking Association.
Surgeons' behavior may influence chances of patient complications
The way that surgeons behave in the operating room will influence the chances of a patient developing post-operative complications. The more often a surgeon is reported by co-workers for unprofessional behavior, the higher the risk. This is the conclusion, New York residents should know, of a study just published in JAMA Surgery.
The benefits of advanced driver assistance systems
Automakers use the term Advanced Driver Assistance Systems to refer to any vehicle safety features that actively help in preventing vehicle damage and accidents. Car owners in New York who have such features are probably the best judges of their effectiveness, but they should know that most are satisfied with the features, according to a study from J.D. Power.
Holding negligent drivers accountable in a crash
When people are hurt in a New York car accident, they may wonder who can be held accountable for their injuries. Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured each year in auto accidents, and many of these crashes are caused by negligent drivers. While some accidents may be caused by mechanical failures, poor weather or wildlife in the road, most crashes can be traced back to specific behavior by a driver. When considering auto accidents, negligence has a specific legal definition that can determine which driver can be considered at fault for the crash.
Drivers need time to learn new technology
New vehicle technology could create hazards on roads in New York and around the country. This is because drivers may not always know how to use it. Furthermore, vehicles may take their commands too literally and not deviate from them no matter what is going on around them. For example, if a driver tells a car to stay 50 feet away from the one in front of it, the vehicle may do so even if it may not be safe.
Study: fatal crashes possible even in light rain
Driving in rain, ice, and snow can be dangerous in New York. According to a Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, heavy rain, snow, and ice raises the risk for a fatal car crash by 34%. Now, a study from the North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies has been able to add to that with more precise discoveries.
