Baton Rouge Car Accident Law Blog

A vehicle driven by Google technology has received the first autonomous vehicle license to be issued in the United States, clearing the way for more self-piloting vehicles to be operated on America's roadways. The technology was approved for a vehicle license after officials experienced the vehicle's ability to handle a variety of driving situations, including in-city, highway and neighborhood roadways.

Skepticism abounds as to whether these vehicles will be as effective as humans at evading scenarios leading to car accidents, but the approval of a self-driving license for a vehicle means Baton Rouge and other cities may soon see cars that drive themselves.

When truckers are on the road, they are required to record details about their trips. Specifically, they must record the number of miles they drive, the number of hours on the road and the amount of rest time. Truckers are required to track that information to help ensure they are well-rested before hitting the road for trips.

Unfortunately, there are drivers in Baton Rouge and across the country who falsify their log books. Because many truckers are paid by the mile, taking a shorter night of rest means a driver could spend more time on the road.

It also means a trucker may be fatigued and cause a fatal truck accident, which is exactly what one man did.

It is no secret that using a cellphone while driving can cause a car accident. Although that includes sending texts while you're driving, that is not the only cellphone habit that can cause car accidents.

It is becoming well-known that the problem with cellphones is not just that you're hands are preoccupied and your eyes are off the wheel. The part of the brain that is used to carry on a conversation is the same part of the brain that is used to judge distance. As a result, some studies suggest that using a hands-free device can impair driving as much as a small amount of drinking.

Now it looks like Missouri highways would be safer if people do not even have cellphones in their car. Regardless of whether the phone is used, people are distracted by simply having their cellphones in the car. That distraction can be enough to cause car accidents.

In a world designed for private automobiles, more and more commuters are turning to public transportation and riding bicycles to get around urban areas. Despite the lower transportation costs and eco-friendliness of these alternatives, the transition to riding bicycles hasn't been easy on city planners or transportation experts who are trying to ensure the safety of all roadway commuters.

Although bicycling rates have remained steady in recent years, and car and motorcycle accident rates have dropped by 39 percent in some major urban areas, the risk of injury or fatality suffered by Baton Rouge bicyclists remains a concern.

As bicyclists become more prevalent, there will be more instances where cars must be mindful of bicyclists to avoid accidents.