Final paper, assignment 9. Ali

Ali Alhaj
Govt 490
Professor Char Roone Miller
Assignment 9
Highway Safety and impact of Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is one of the main causes of road accidents in the world. It is a general traffic and road law offense that covers other violations. Offenders in most cases view this violation as a simple offense leading to an issuance of a ticket. But reckless driving is regarded as a serious crime leading to damage to property, injuries and worst case, have caused loss of lives of both drivers and pedestrians. According to traffic laws in the majority of states in the United States, conviction for reckless driving is a class 1 misdemeanor. Possible penalties incurred due to this offense might result to suspension of driver’s license, fines and imprisonment. In present day, stricter penalties are being forced on offenders violating traffic rules, and regulations. Usual charges and penalties for a reckless driving conviction may include suspension of one’s driver’s license for up to six (6) months and fines up to two thousand five hundred dollars ($2500.00). In reckless driving offenses’ worst case scenario leading to damage to property or injuries, judges sentences offender up to twelve (12) months in jail. One should take note that jail sentences and suspensions of license are becoming commonplace due to political pressures and the frequency of fatalities from high speed accidents (Bose Law Firm, 2005) In the State of Virginia, traffic law enforces point demerits on reckless driving offenders where conviction carries 6 points demerits. In Florida, reckless driving carries 4 points demerit and a criminal record on class 1 misdemeanor.
Taking into account the gravity of reckless driving offenses, according to most lawyers handling misdemeanor cases, reckless driving is a crime of opinion. It is hard to prove if the Judge applies the proper standard. There must be a showing of criminal intent, and it is one person's word against another. Some police officers charge a driver with Reckless Driving when a driver was negligent. You simply need more than negligence to satisfy the intent requirement (A.M. Quirantez)

The Law on Reckless Driving
It is proven that the magnitude of the reckless driving according to common traffic laws is a criminal offense. But reckless driving itself is being employed by police officers as a catch-all offense using the general rule on reckless driving as a common violation to most offenders. Reckless Driving- General Rule states that:
Irrespective of the maximum speeds permitted by law, any person who drives a vehicle on any highway recklessly or at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person shall be guilty of reckless driving. (§ 46.2-852-Virginia Code)
The general rule thus encompasses other offenses pertaining to reckless driving. Speed limit is the most common among all offenses. Speeding in excess of 20+ speed limits violates the general rule and a specific article on 46.2-862 and other related articles such as driving too fast for highway and traffic conditions (46.2-861). Reckless driving under these conditions is categorized according to the speed limit on the road a driver is driving on. On roads with subsequent speed limits, driving at or higher than the below “cut-off points” will justify a penalty on reckless driving. The behavior and conduct of endangering life and limb and damaging property are generally categorized by apprehending police officers based upon their discretions as to whether when and how the violation took place. The general rule have brought about several issues regarding the manner of apprehension of police officers, their interpretation of the general rule and the actual perception they considered before charging the offender. In this situation, the driver with his defense must then prove in court that he drove at a speed or in a manner not endangering life, limb, or property of another and that there were no disregard on the consequences of his actions and never displayed an indifference to the safety of life, limb, or property. In order to be acquitted, the action or the violation must be proven un-intentional on the part of the driver.
Other violations resulting to issuance of tickets on reckless driving includes failure to yield in others right of way (46.2-863). This article is directly related to other violations such as passing a stopped, properly equipped school bus (46.2-859), overtaking/passing an emergency vehicle (46.2-829), passing a vehicle at a crest or a grade (46.2-854) passing another vehicle at a railroad grade crossing (46.2-858) failing to give proper signals (46.2-860). Falling short from the mentioned violation, failure to stop or yield while passing another driver’s right of way and other such as those mentioned vehicles may result to reckless driving charges.
Racing is a common violation among teen drivers and other illegal drag racing enthusiast. The law states that any individual who engages in a race between two or more motor vehicles on the highways or on any driveway or premises of a church, school, recreational facility, or business property open to the public is guilty of reckless driving (46.2-865). Illegal drag racing in the US is one of the major causes of car accidents leading to the death of teen age drivers.
Reckless driving offenses also include other serious offenses, Driving While Intoxicated and Driving under the Influence of prohibited drugs and alcohol. These offenses often lead to arbitrary injuries, damage to property and death. The legal consequence and implications of an arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or illegal drugs are severe. A conviction for driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated may result in license suspension, steep fines, and imprisonment (18.2-266)

Statistics Causes and Implications
Most car accidents are results of reckless driving, fast or inattentive driving, or driving under the influence of alcohol. Many drivers who suffer the consequences brought about by this imprudence on the road do not concentrate while driving, which could prove to be very dangerous on highways or residential streets. Reckless driving has claimed millions of lives around the world. Car accidents caused by reckless driving can result in extensive injuries such as spinal cord injuries, kneecap injuries, broken bones, and shock related minor injuries. It can even result in death due to head injuries or shock. Knee injuries most of the time never heal and can be terminal in cases of severe damage to the knee during the accident. Noted data indicates almost 1.2 million people worldwide are killed in car accidents majority of these are caused by reckless driving and DWI/DUI (WHO, 2004). In the United States, deaths in car accidents increased from 40,716 per year in 1994 to 42,636 per year in 2004 (FARS, 2005)
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, 16,653 people died in alcohol-related crashes in 2000, an increase of more than 800 deaths from 1999. This represented the largest percentage increase on record. By some estimates, about two out of every five Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives. These tragic statistics dramatically illustrate that DUI is a serious problem (J.W.Greene, 2003).
Teenagers, according to the statistics, cause most car accidents in the US. This is brought about by the high population of teen driver beginning to legally drive at the age of 16. Inexperience coupled with reckless driving due to irresponsible behavior and a lack of respect for the safety precautions are the main causes for such a high number of teenage car accidents. There are 1.6 million crashes involving teen drivers annually in the United States. About two out of every three U.S. teens killed in a car crash in 2003 were male. According to recently released statistics, about 10 U.S. teens ages 16 to 19 die in teen-driven car accidents every day. And even though teens make up only 6.7 percent of all motorists in the United States, they account for 14 percent of the fatal crashes. Officials say teens' inexperience and recklessness on the road have a lot to do with the deadly statistics (Weekly Reader Corp, 2005).
Reckless driving along with other violations of road law sums up to a lot of distressful outcomes, leading to injuries, damage of property and grief and despair among family members who lost a loved one in a car accident.

Impact of Reckless Driving
Reckless driving violation can bring about negative impact on an individuals career, security clearance and most of the time insurance cause. Perennial violation can severely devastate a person’s criminal record thus limiting his or her freedom on a lot of benefits. Insurance companies usual deter multiple violations of reckless driving thus in most cases dropping off the policy holder due to the criminal conviction of class 1 misdemeanor. Reckless driving can delay and hinder the processing of security clearance brought about by the agency’s evaluation of irresponsibility towards the offender. In most cases criminal records are used as basis to reject security clearance applications. Since reckless driving is a criminal violation, immigrants seeking for US citizenship who at one time or the other were convicted of this offense usually experience difficulty in processing their papers and document. Reckless driving violation brings about a negative impact on the governments process by elongating the time for the government to conduct your background check. Lastly, most common for commercial drivers committing the offense results to the suspension of their driver’s license for a specific period of time.
One must remember that reckless driving is a criminal offense. A person who violates this law and gets convicted by means of a ticket is not at all a simple matter. Reckless driving does not only incur negative implications to the offender but can also result to a lot of mishaps and accidents that would affect a lot of people.

Bibliography
Bose Law Firm, PLLC (2005) Reckless Driving- Virgina Code § 46.2-852, 46.2-863, 46.2-862, 46.2-861, 46.2-859, 46.2-829, 46.2-854 46.2-858, 46.2-860. 46.2-865, 18.2-266 (2005); Last Accessed June 10, 2007; Website: http://www.vatrafficlaw.com/reckless.html
Atty. Albert M Quirantez (2003) Reckless Driving (2003) ; Last Accessed June 10th 2007; Website: www.ticketlawyers.com
Weekly Reader Corp(2005) Thompson Gale Group (2005) Road to Ruin-Car Crashes are Top Teen Killers; Last Accessed June 14, 2007 ; Website: www.findarticles.com
Jeffrey W. Greene (2003) FBI, 2003, Thompson Gale Group (2003) Battling DUI: A comparative analysis of checkpoints and saturation patrols - driving under the influence; Last Accessed June 19 2007 ; Website: www.findarticles.com
FARS (2005) Key Annual Statistic on Car Accidents-United States (2005) Last Accessed June 20th 2007;

Wikipedia Encyclopedia (2005) Car Accidents (2005) Last Accessed June 22, 2007; Website: www.wikipedia.org

Christopher's Final

Christopher Thaggard
Professor Miller
Assignment# 9
June 20, 2007
Govt. 490


Final Paper
Automobile Safety


The debate can be argued by many in the profession of economics, city planning and local, state, and federal government to how much of a significant role public transportation plays in people’s lives. Public transportation is believed as well as is depicted by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as being safer, cheaper, and a more fuel efficient way of travel over that of private transportation.
Public transportation is considered to be any mode of transportation that charges a set fare amount, in addition to has a fixed route in which it travels, as well as is openly available to the public. Such modes of public transportation can include but are not limited to buses, subways, ferries, and trains, which are all openly available to the public as well as charge fixed fare amounts and have set routes.
It is argued in favor of public transportation that states that offer citizens more forms and modes of public transportation tend to see far less traffic and motor vehicle accidents and fatalities than those states that do not. Those in favor of public transportation argue that public transportation takes those factors that have been shown to greatly increase the chances of motor vehicle fatalities out of the equation. Such factors are but are not limited to the following; being under the influence, being sleep deprived, being an inexperienced driver, an elderly driver, as well as fearful drivers that are on the road. All such factors have been shown in independent studies to have high contributions in the amount of motor vehicle accidents and motor vehicle fatalities that occur throughout the world, not just limited within the United States.
In recent studies conducted in the field by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), which solely looked at the amount of motor vehicle fatalities that took place within United States to determine if it was at all possible to decrease the amount of annual motor vehicle fatalities and motor vehicle accidents while at the same time come to a conclusion to whether it was necessary for the Federal Government to increase the amount of government spending in funding new public transportation initiatives to provide more public transportation options to its citizens to overall help decrease the amount of motor vehicle fatalities that could occur.
From these studies there has been has been proven that there is a link between that of amount of public transportation a state provides and the overall influence that it has on the total number of annual deaths that can be contributed by that of motor vehicles in the United States. From these studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation they have shown and concluded that public transportation has a positive affect on the whole in the amount of motor vehicle fatalities that occur in the United States each year. It has shown that states that offer more modes of public transportation have a far less rate of motor vehicle fatalities as well as motor vehicle accidents.
In states that offer many different modes of public transportation to its citizens like that of the District of Columbia, New York, California and Virginia the amount of motor vehicle fatalities were far less than those states that do not offer citizens a number of modes of public transportation like that of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Arkansas, which the studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation has shown relatively speaking has a higher amount of motor vehicle fatalities than that of other states.
In conclusion in order for us to curb the amount of fatalities caused by motor vehicles each year, we must make a better attempt by limiting those factors that greatly increase of the risk of such accidents to occur like those individuals that drive under the influence, that are sleep deprived, and inexperienced drivers, elderly drivers, as well as fearful drivers that are on the road and to do this we must make available more modes of public transportation such as buses, ferries, and trains, which are all openly available to the public.

Whit's public policy paper

In the recent years there has been much attention to the way Americans travel in vehicles with their children. Endless commercials, radio and television, service announcements remind us all to buckle up. The “Click it, or Ticket!” campaign has been one of the most successful movements in the past years. When it comes to our children, we are even further concerned for their safety, as automobile accidents are going to effect us all at some point in our lives. As the years have passed the laws and opinion have changed about the best way to restrain a child while in the car. The new policies, new trends, and media attention to this issue has become a key component in the public policy of this issue.
It used to be that simple child locks (the locks used so that the door to the vehicle may not be opened from the inside) was enough. However, this opinion has changed drastically. Looking back we can see that simply not allowing out children to open the doors from the inside wouldn’t keep them any safer while in a crash. If anything it prevented a child from exiting a vehicle after the crash. It was soon obvious that seat belts were necessary. However, the small size of a child had to be compensated for. Also, the airbags in the front seat caused many problems since their force was so intense, that it was deadening to a child. A new policy about safety restraints would have to be developed to protect our children, and ourselves. The new market opened for car seats has become successful playing mostly on the lack of knowledge in the area.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been working hard in the last few years to make the policies for child restrains a widely known topic and educate the America public about the issue. In December of 2003, Anton’s law was passed which set specific requirements for the booster seats needed for children four to eight. The passing of this law was a major step in the public policy regarding this issue.
Anton's Law directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a rulemaking to establish performance requirements for child restraints, including booster seats, for the restraint of children weighing more than 50 pounds... This legislation requires automakers to install lap and shoulder belt assemblies in all rear seating positions of passenger cars, including the center seat position.
Anton’s Law while still be implemented today has aided in the effort to make traveling in vehicle’s more safe for children. Numerous other laws have followed Anton’s Law since it was passed. These laws have served in the attempt to change Americans minds about child safety. Creating more awareness about the new options to keep a child safe in the car was the primary focus, besides the attempt to save more children. For example, “Child safety seats saved the lives of 158 children aged 0-4 during 1984. Lap belts saved an additional 34 lives. In all, 192 children were saved by child passenger safety measures in 1984.” Thus far, it seems to be working in the right direction.
With the changing legislation on this issue, the economic market has changed also. With the new requirements for child car seats and booster seats, a whole new line is available. These are obtainable at almost any baby store, Target, Wal-Mart, etc. across the country. The range in prices is outrageous, but the basic design is all the same. Since the use of these seats is now required, designers and manufacturers are creating millions in revenue. Although, “A higher price does not mean the seat is safer or easier to use. All car safety seats available for sale in the United States must meet government safety standards.” These standards work in effort to ensure design and trends are not the only factors in a parent’s decision. Rather safety and functionality are the primary focus. The trends following this new booming industry are baffling. One can stand at a “Babys’R’us” store for hours debating and attempting to find which seat might be right for them. The choices are endless. However, the goals are all the same.
The media attention to this issue has also powered much of the policy changes. No one can forget when Britney Spears was photographed driving with her infant on her lap. This sent a whirlwind of attention to the proper uses of the child seat, much of which has changed in the last years, only causing more confusion about which way a child is really supposed to sit in the car, or in which seat exactly. Many talk shows have also gone over this topic feeling they should inform Americans to the correct uses. Through the use of celebrities and the media, this issue has spread to infiltrate the lives of those who don’t even have children.
In recent years there has been quite a bit of confusion about the correct way in which to travel with children, in a vehicle. There are numerous informational websites about the best way. The websites offer advice such as:
Always use a car safety seat. Start with your baby's first ride home from the hospital, never place a child in a rear-facing car safety seat in the front seat of a vehicle that has a passenger air bag, all children younger than 13 years are safest in the back seat. Be a good role model—always wear your seat belt. This will help your child form a lifelong habit of buckling up; remember that each car safety seat is different. read and keep the instructions that came with your seat handy, and follow them at all times, read your car owner's manual for information about installing your car safety seat.
However much advice is offered however, no one but a parent can be responsible for the safety of their child while they are driving. Perhaps it is part of becoming a parent that makes one truly focus on the safety issues of children in vehicles.
Americans are continually concerned with the safety in our vehicles and the safety of our families. Placing the two in the same category, creates extra interest in the topic. Therefore, the new public policies that affect every parent in America are changing or rather saving lives. The new policies have shown to save more lives in the past few years than in the past few decades. The new laws are being implemented all over the United States and are making wonderful progress. While there are many laws concerning the safety of adults in the car, these unique laws focus solely on the children’s safety and hold the adults responsible.













References


"Child Passenger Safety." NHSTA: Laws and Regulations. 2007. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 19 Jun 2007 .

"Child Safety in Passenger Vehicles." Public Citizen: Protecting Health Safety and Democracy. 2007. Public Citizen. 19 Jun 2007 .

"Federal Legislative Program." Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. 2001. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. 19 Jun 2007 .

GovTrack.us. S. 980--107th Congress (2001): Anton's Law, GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation) (accessed Jun 17, 2007)

Group 1 Video RushHour

Good job group 1! For not ever doing this before, I think we did a good job! - Andrew

Paola Pena's Car

Here it is...

Ali's Car

This car works well if you are someone that drives all over the place!

Christopher Thaggard's car

Picture 224.jpg
Originally uploaded by stefgmu84

My 2000 Audi A4 a fun car but a pain to maintain. (Don't buy an Audi) :o(

Whitney Phillips's Car

Yep, there she is! Maybe not the best but reliable and fits my personality pretty well!

Stefania's car

Stefania's car
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govt490 shot Andrew Cooper

govt490 shot Andrew Cooper
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Stefania, looks good and good work getting everyone on flickr. Hopefully the others will have theirs up by the weekend. - Andrew

Stefania's Car

Andrew's Car

govt490 shot Andrew Cooper, originally uploaded by acooper5.

My 2005 Subaru Legacy GT. I have owned 6 cars in the last 4 years and the Legacy offers the best value all around as far as class, styling, and performance.