Maryland Injury Attorney Blog

Does your dog ride shotgun in your car, truck or SUV — his head hanging out the window and tongue flapping in the breeze? Or is your beloved pooch planted happily on your lap as you drive on Baltimore County, Maryland streets and highways? We’ve all seen them go by and smiled.

But according to a new AAA report, canines cavorting in moving autos can distract the drivers and cause deadly car crashes.

The report found that only 17 percent of members surveyed restrain their dogs in their motor vehicles. The majority drive with their dogs loose in the car — which could distract the driver and cause a traffic accident. The report also found that…

The Choose Safety for Life * Maryland Safety Campaigns has posted some interesting data on motor vehicle accidents in Maryland:

• Total number of Maryland car crashes has gone down from 104,103 in 2004 to 95,349 in 2008.
• The number of fatal crashes has also declined: from 576 in 2004 to 539 in 2008.

“Don’t drive too fast.” “Be careful with your mother’s car.” “Keep your eyes on the road.” “Be home by your curfew.” All typical warnings parents give to their teenagers when they hand over their car keys to them — and pray they come back home alive. Now, 21st century parents need to tell their teenagers, “No talking on your cell phone while you’re driving” and, more recently, “No texting and driving.”

Problem is, an alarming percentage of adults aren’t practicing what they preach.

A new study released by the Pew Research Center shows that adults are as guilty as youth of sending text messages while operating a motor vehicle (see link below). Scores of traffic safety reports show that distracted driving is a primary cause of serious and fatal car accidents in Maryland and around the country. Some scary statistics:

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has released a report stating that by 2025, the number of drivers aged 65 and older will amount to 25 percent of drivers in the U.S. — a potential driving safety issue that states like Maryland might not be fully prepared to handle. Of note:

> Most states’ driver licensing systems and alternative mobility/transportation programs are not adequate to handle an influx of older drivers on the roads — drivers who may have medical or functional impairments (e.g., related to visual perception, speed of processing, navigation and maneuvering) and/or be on medications.

As any experienced Towson car accident injury attorney will attest — no one is a perfect driver. However, certain groups of drivers such as teenagers and senior citizens have special considerations when it comes to driving safety and avoiding serious traffic accidents in Baltimore County, Maryland and around the state.