Lap And Shoulder Belts Are Now A Requirement In Motorcoaches And Large Buses As Of 2016

The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently announced that lap and shoulder belts are now a requirement for each occupant in new motorcoaches and large buses. This new rule is designed to further improve the safety of these vehicles by decreasing the risk of serious injuries, occupant ejection, and fatalities in during a collision.

According to the NHTSA , each year approximately 7,934 people are injured and 21 die in motorcoach and large bus accidents. The NHTSA estimates that the new safety belt requirement will reduce the number of moderate to severe injuries by up to 45% and the number of fatalities by up to 44%.

As of November 2016, shoulder and lap belts will be a requirement in newly manufactured buses with a gross vehicle weight greater than 26,000 pounds. Transit buses and school buses are exempt from this ruling.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, contact the Gainesville Personal Injury Lawyers of DeCarlis & Sawyer at 352-371-3838 or at decarlisandsawyer.com.

Statistics On Pedestrian Accidents In The State Of Florida

In Florida, there are many activities that people can get to by walking. As a pedestrian, one needs to be vigilant about safety. In 2010 alone, 4,280 pedestrians were killed and roughly 70,000 were injured in traffic accidents in the US. According to the National Highway

Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a pedestrian was killed every two hours and injured every eight minutes in a traffic accident.

Part of being a safe pedestrian is relying on your senses, and not on painted lines in the road. Research has shown that crosswalks give many a false sense of safety. This sense of false security can lead a pedestrian to enter a crosswalk without properly considering approaching traffic. Some pedestrians have the mistaken belief that cars can and will stop for them.

Today, pedestrians are finding themselves in harms way more often as a result of society's use of technology. Whether it's texting, checking Facebook, listening to music, or writing an email, we are able to do these things while on the go. It's no longer just distracted drivers we have to be worried about on our roadways, it's distracted pedestrians as well. YouTube is full of videos showing this dangerous practice such as a man texting and walking right off of a train platform. Fortunately the man climbed out of dangers way, but this could have had a tragic ending.

Walking home after a few drinks may seem safer than getting behind the wheel, however the NHTSA has found that isn't true for pedestrians. In a 2010 study, one out of three pedestrians killed had a BAC of .08 or higher. As an intoxicated pedestrian, you may be more apt to engage in risky crossing behavior. After a night on the town, your safest bet is to rely on a designated driver or take a cab home.

Be safe while sharing the roadway with vehicles. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, contact the Personal Injury Attorneys of DeCarlis & Sawyer at 352-371-3838. Find us online at www.decarlisandsawyer.com.