Lose Your Child; Get Kicked in the Teeth

An unbelievable story out of Connecticut, involving a driver with past multiple convictions for DUI's, who is currently serving time in prison for vehicular manslaughter due to striking and killing a 17 year old boy as he was recklessly driving his car at reportedly 85 mph in a 45 mph zone.

He is suing the dead boys' parents for negligence, because he was allegedly skateboarding in the street and not wearing a helmet.  Never mind that he was going way beyond the speed limit at the time. The fact that according to tests performed at the time, he was sober behind the wheel, doesn't lessen the crime.

Driver in Fatal Connecticut Crash Sues Victim's Parents

Apparently, prisoners file lawsuits quite often, but it's usually based on perceived, or maybe actual, injustices that they are undergoing while incarcerated. Rarely do they file suits against the victim or their family.

What do you think after reading the article? Does the man have a valid point? Or is he just using every available means to deflect culpability by raising even the most ridiculous accusation possible?

Drugs and Driving: Important Information

We ran across two very interesting synopses on the effects of drugs, both prescription and illegal, and alcohol, while driving. The articles were written by EMSA of Oklahoma and PA DUI of Pennsylvania.

How do Drugs Affect Driving?

The Effects of Drugs and Alcohol

Their clarity are very helpful in providing a clear understanding of the various effects that drugs and alcohol have on our system, including giving the false impression that normal senses and reaction times are enhanced. Instead what they do is merely (and dangerously) mask the symptoms of fatigue.

Attention to impaired driving is given mostly someone who is under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs. But prescription and over the counter medications can be just as dangerous while driving, and their side effects should be considered at all times when getting behind the wheel of a car.

Red Light Runner-Predictable Tragedy

Another article from the LA Times, describing the predictable carnage committed by a teenage red light runner.

3 Youths Held in Eastside School Bus Crash

Please people, never forget--driving is a deadly serious activity! It takes skill, both mental and physical. Your actions (or inactions) behind the wheel could have devastating consequences.

This Is Why It's Important To Always Drive At The Speed Limit!

Here's another example of the importance of obeying the speed limit--even when you think there's no other car around and therefore can safely take liberties with the limits imposed.

Luckily the occupants of the houses that were affected weren't hurt, though it appears that one of the houses is teetering on the brink of collapse. All because of the deadly stupid actions of a motorist who knew better.

The moral of this story is: even if you think it's safe to go over the speed limit because no other cars are on the road, you could still very easily lose control of your vehicle due to unexpected events--and lose your life in the process, as this driver did.

Based on the information in the article, how fast do you think he was driving to cause the damage that he did?

Darien Resident Killed In Accident

Taming the TWD (Texting While Driving)

At not a moment too soon, it looks like some tech companies are rolling out some cell phone apps designed to block phone communications while a vehicle is in motion. A very good article in the New York Times by tech writer David Pogue explains the different apps available.

Your Phone Is Locked. Just Drive.

Pogue briefly quotes some of the numerous statistics comparing the effects of driving under the influence versus texting and driving. Hopefully, with the uptick in media interest, people are starting to realize what a supremely bad idea it is to take your eyes off the road for even a split second.

I hope driving instructors and driving schools across the country are teaching this extremely important concept of distracted driving. The Driver Guy sure is!


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