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Lowell MA Personal Injury Law Blog

Officials, family members work to curb distracted driving

As residents in Massachusetts and across the United States become more dependent on personal electronics, the risk of distracted driving is bringing attention to officials nationally. According to a news report, more than 3,000 people died in car accidents that were related to distracted driving in 2010. The U.S. Transportation Department says drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash if they are texting while driving. These statistics are showing up on roadways and have prompted family members of victims to try to raise awareness.

Websites such as distraction.gov have popped up in order to shine a light on the growing issue. Family members are using nonprofits such as FocusDriven, which concentrates on the dangers of texting and driving, to voice their concerns.

Drunk driver receives sentence in deadly Massachusetts crash

Drivers in Massachusetts have to contend with some difficult road conditions. Many cities and towns have old colonial roads that twist, turn, narrow and intersect at odd places. Massachusetts roads are also known for having their fair share of potholes. Add heavy winter snow and ice to the mix, and you can safely say that driving in this state is no easy task. But one thing drivers should never have to worry about is a drunk driver.

Unfortunately, drunk drivers are as much of the landscape as potholes. This week a Taunton woman received a prison sentence of six to eight years for her role in a fatal drunk driving crash. The accident occurred in July 2009 on Route 140 in Taunton. According to prosecutors, her vehicle's black box indicated that she was speeding at an astounding 113 miles per hour. She quickly approached another car from behind and, failing to slow down or avoid the other car, slammed into it.

Lane-keeping system may reduce car accidents caused by drowsy driving in Lowell area

A new car technology referred to as lane-keeping technology may help reduce the number of car accidents caused by drowsy driving, fatigue or inattentive driving in the Lowell area. While the technology offers the potential to reduce car accidents, the technology may eventually spur riskier behavior among drivers.

Currently multiple car companies offer lane-keeping systems on some car models. Ford is one car manufacturer that is slated to offer its "lane-keeping technology" on two of its 2013 models. Ford's lane-keeping system relies on a camera mounted to the rear-view mirror inside its models. The camera analyzes the lane markings on the road to determine whether the driver is within the lane. If a driver drifts outside of the lane markings without using a turn signal, the system vibrates the steering wheel to warn the driver. If the driver does not respond to the warning, the system engages the power steering of the vehicle and turns the vehicle back to the center of the lane.

While the technology of lane-keeping systems represents a chance to reduce car accidents caused by vehicles that drift out of lane, the technology is not yet perfect. If the system is not able to recognize road markings, it cannot provide assistance to drivers. Lane-keeping systems generally have problems recognizing markings through turns and in inclement weather.

Woman dies in car crash in Gardner

A car accident in Massachusetts or anywhere in the United States can stem from a variety of situations, from negligent driving to vehicle malfunctions. Sometimes crash victims leave the scene seemingly without a scratch, while others are seriously injured or even lose their life. In every situation, the crash may leave victims with ongoing medical costs to treat lingering aches and pains or hospital bills from long-term stays during recovery. If negligence is identified as a contributor in a car accident, the victims and their families may be able to obtain personal injury compensation in order to cover mounting costs.

Recently, a car accident had a tragic end on a Boston roadway. Police say a woman was killed in a late evening crash in the city of Gardner, just outside of Boston. A police officer on his way to a midnight shift noticed a crash on Route 2 between a Honda Civic and a Ford pickup truck. According to the officer, the 65-year-old woman driving the Honda apparently crossed the median and struck the 63-year-old driver of the Ford pickup.

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