According to the Department of Law and Public Safety of the State of New Jersey, each year millions of phone calls regarding roadside emergencies and life-threatening accidents pour into New Jersey’s emergency call centers. Dial #77 to report aggressive drivers. This number is operated by the New Jersey State Police and should be used to report aggressive or erratic driving that poses a risk to other motorists on the roadway. While these calls are important, 9-1-1 calls are prioritized over #77 calls as required by law. In #77 call response, police services are made aware of the report and respond according to availability and proximity to the incident, as well as, seriousness of the report. This system should not be used to report…

Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that “there are more than 450,000 injuries associated with bicycles that landed people in ERs in 2016.   The most frequent diagnoses were contusions/abrasions (23.0%), fractures (21.7%), and lacerations (15.4%)”. While only 1% of all trips taken in the U.S. are by bicycle, bicyclists face a higher risk of crash-related injury and deaths than occupants those of motor vehicles.  Whether you bike to work or school; to save money or time; to preserve your health or the environment; to explore your community or get to your destination, there is always an opportunity to review some tips on how to ride safely and perform maintenance on your bike. Effective interventions to reduce injuries and fatalities to bicyclists include the following…

Teenage drivers have the highest risk of crashing, but there are ways parents can help reduce the risks by being a role model, getting involved with their kids in the practice of essential driving skills, and talking with them about the many dangers of driving. “Choosing a safe vehicle for your teen is of paramount importance, and settling on a vehicle your family can afford is also very important,” says Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book. “Kelley Blue Book provides you with updated vehicle prices and values that are unique to your area, so KBB.com is a great site to visit as you finalize your buying decision.” Teenagers should drive vehicles that reduce…

New Jersey law requires the driver and all passengers in a car to wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt while the vehicle is in operation on any street or highway in this State.  We all know, however, that not everyone always complies with this law.  If you don’t and are injured in an accident, your failure to comply with New Jersey’s seat belt law could have a very negative impact on your case. Where a driver raises the so-called “seat belt defense,” it unleashes a whole series of questions for the jury to answer.  Initially, a jury must make two separate decisions about fault. The first one concerns the cause of the accident. The second is as to…

In Summer, teens  spend more time on the road attending graduation parties, holiday celebrations, road trips, and outdoor activities.   It is among the most dangerous times for teen drivers, as we posted in a recent blog. The Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education offers a few helpful tips for parents: Let your child know you trust them Insist on knowing the details of where they are going Set firm check-in times Offer to pick them up, no questions asked Click here to watch an important video with your teen Teens Do your best to remain focused Driving drowsy is dangerous, if you are feeling tired, you should not be driving Take a pair of comfortable shoes to change into for driving; fancy high…