Driving Under The Influence of Cell Phone (DUIC)
February 24, 2009 by Gary Sides
DUIC or Driving Under the Influence of Cell Phone is just as dangerous as drunken driving or DUI.
A 2006 National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration study found that almost 80% of crashes and 65% of near crashes involved driver distraction i.e. the driver was distracted by their use of the cell phone.
A national insurance company conducted a study and found that 73% of drivers talk on their cellphones while behind the wheel. Even more shocking the study found 19% text while driving.
In North Carolina cell phone use by bus drivers and drivers under the age of 18 are currently prohibited with the exception of emergency situations.
As with any other accidents parents and employers could be held liable for accident caused by children or employees of the company in a company vehicle that are involved in accidents. So its not just the drivers that are at risk in these situations.
Cell Phones and Teen Drivers: A Dangerous Combination?
January 30, 2009 by Gary Sides
A new traffic study suggests NC teenagers have not paid much attention to state law that bans cell phone use by drivers under 18. The law went into effect in Dec. 2006.
A study was conducted by the UNC center and the Institute for Highway Safety. Researchers parked outside of 25 high schools discovered over 11% of teens were talking on cell phones while driving away from school.
Another study found 64% of teens were aware of the law forbidding cell phone use but only 39% of parents were aware of the ban.
Experts liken the use of cell phone while driving to have the same effects as being under the influence of alcohol.
NC Auto Insurers May Raise Rates on Jan 1, 2009
January 7, 2009 by Gary Sides
Auto insurers may increase premiums on NC drivers by up to 9.4& starting Jan. 1, 2009, but a court ruling will determine whether they can keep the extra money.
The NC Rate Bureau, which represents 144 auto insurers that operate in the state, had asked for its largest rate increase in 14 years–12.9%. Insurance Commissioner Jim Long turned the tables, instead ordering a 16 percent cut.
Long ruled that the insurers submitted data to back their positions that didn’t justify the increase they sought. The Insurance Department also argued that the companies skewed their depiction of NC’s market by including claims from riskier drivers who are inexperienced or who rack up insurance points against their license and other decisions. Those drivers are assigned to the NC Reinsurance Facility.
Insurers revamped their requested rate increase in their appeal to the state Court of Appeals and are now seeking 9.4%.
Under state law, insurers can charge the higher rate beginning Jan .1, but any amount collected above the 16% cut ordered by Long must be placed into escrow accounts. If insurers win their appeal, they can keep the money. If they lose, they will have to refund the money to policyholders, plus pay interest at the prime rate plus 3 percent.
A court hearing on the appeal has not been scheduled.
NC Among Deadliest for Teenage Drivers
January 7, 2009 by Gary Sides
For Trey Ward, there’s no room for argument. The No. 1 rule when you get into his 1997 Chrysler: “No seat belt, no ride.”
Nationwide, North Carolina ranks fifth in fatal car accidents involving young occupants (16 or older), according to a new study released Monday by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The study shows that young drivers and passengers around the country are more apt to not buckle up at night–males more that females. Two-thirds who died in accidents did not heed “click-it” pleas from parents and authorities.
In the 16-20 age group, 68 percent who died in car crashes at night in 2006 were unbuckled. In NC, of the 525 young people killed in nighttime accidents in 2006, 61 percent didn’t use selt belts. In all, 1,116 young NC people died in day and nighttime crashes that year. More than half weren’t buckled.
Another recent study by Allstate shows that Charlotte’s teen fatal crashes ranks ninth among the top 50 US metro areas. Speeding and not buckling up contributed to 80 percent of Charlotte’s teen driving deaths, the study showed.
Changes to NC Auto Safety Inspections
December 31, 2008 by Gary Sides
NCDMV has announced changes to the safety inspection process to go into effect 1/1/09
- The safety inspection sticker will go away in 2009. Instead you will be required to have your vehicle inspected prior to your registration renewal. If the vehicle is not inspected prior to the renewal date the system will not allow you to renew your tag.
- If any repairs are required in order to pass the safety inspection you will have 60 days instead of the previous 30 days to complete repairs and pass the inspection.
For more information go to the NC DMV website;