New Jersey Personal Injury Blog
Vehicle of On-Duty Patrolman Nearly Hit in Chatham by Woman Charged with DUI and Child Endangerment
The Independent Press reports that a woman was recently put in jail after almost hitting a Chatham Borough patrol car. The 30-year-old woman of Dingmans Ferry, PA was driving with her 6-year-old daughter in the car as well as an adult passenger and that passenger’s 6-year-old son. The vehicle being driven by the woman reportedly drifted across Main Street in Chatham, New Jersey, nearly striking an on-duty officer’s vehicle. When the officer stopped the suspect vehicle the driver apparently displayed signs of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The two children, who were not properly restrained, were handed over to relatives since the other adult passenger was also found to be intoxicated. Police also stated that a hypodermic needle was seen in the vehicle.
The female driver was charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, failure to keep right, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful possession of a syringe.
Information from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, notes that an individual with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or greater who operates a motor vehicle is driving under the influence (DUI). In this particular story, if the woman had caused an accident that resulted in injury or death, she could have faced serious criminal penalties and civil liability. In addition, if the alcohol consumed was served to her in a bar, restaurant or hotel, it is possible that the establishment where she consumed the alcohol might have liability as well for potentially over-serving a patron who shows signs of impairment.
The New Jersey car accident lawyers at Blume Goldfaden have decades of experience holding impaired drivers legally responsible for the harm that they cause. Injured accident victims may be able to obtain compensation for their physical injuries and other damages. Contact our law firm at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.
Texting Banned Nationally for Truckers and Bus Drivers
On Tuesday, January 26, 2010, the U.S. Government announced a national ban of hand-held texting for drivers of large commercial trucks and buses. The new text messaging ban takes effect immediately, and those caught violating the ban will be forced to pay a fine of up to $2,750. While several U.S. companies enforce self-imposed bans against texting for their employees while driving on-the-job, the rash of distracted driving accidents continues to spread. The National Safety Council estimates that as many as 200,000 auto accidents on United States Highways are the result of texting while driving.
According to a reuters.com article, the new U.S. texting ban is expected to help lower the danger of distracted driving. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stated, “We want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the road with them to be safe…This is an important safety step and we will be taking more to eliminate the threat of distracted driving.” Research conducted by trucking regulators has demonstrated that drivers take their eyes off the road for almost the entire time that it takes to send, and receive, a text message.
Almost two dozen U.S. states, including New Jersey, ban texting while driving any motor vehicle and the problem has become so widespread that Congress is addressing legislation to prohibit this form of negligent driving on a national scale. Handheld cell phone use is banned for all drivers in New Jersey where the distracted driving laws are all considered ‘primary enforcement’ statutes, which means that a police officer may issue a ticket to a driver for using a handheld cell phone while driving without committing any other traffic offense.
Auto accidents, especially those involving trucks, or, buses, may cause innocent passengers, and, drivers to suffer serious injury. When such incidents are brought about by distracted driving, injured individuals may be able to seek compensation for expenses associated with their injuries. For more information regarding a potential injury claim associated with a distracted driving accident, please contact the experienced New Jersey car accident attorneys at Blume Goldfaden at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.