Distracted Driving Campaigns Haven't Reduced Crashes or Insurance Rates

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says the promotion of anti-distracted-driving campaigns and the widespread prohibition of handheld-phone use behind the wheel has not effected typical vehicle crash patterns.  Although the bans reduce phone use behind the wheel, drivers seem to be finding other distractions.  The president of the IIHS, Adrian Lund, said, “Reducing crashes and saving lives is what highway safety is all about … and by this essential measure the benefits of hand-held cell phone bans are nil.”   The IIHS says that "for crash rates, and eventually insurance rates, to be reduced, there need to be major developments in and implementation of new crash avoidance features. Until then, the insurance campaigns and bans may make a dent in phone usage but perhaps will not have much of an effect on crash rates."  Read more.

KidsAgainstDistractingDriving.com Announces Logo Design Contest

You could win a $100 U.S. Savings Bond if you submit the winning entry for the official KidsAgainstDistractingDriving.com (KADD) logo! Winning design will be featured on the KADD website and used in promotional materials. Contest open to all school-aged kids under 18. All entries become property of The Law Firm of Stephen M. Reck. Mail your entries with your name, contact info, age, and school to:

Scott D. Camassar
Law Firm of Stephen M. Reck, LLC
P.O. Box 431
North Stonington, CT 06359

Prescription, OTC Drug Recalls Way Up Lately

CNNMoney.com reported, "Recalls of prescription and over the counter drugs are surging, raising questions about the quality of drug manufacturing in the United States." The FDA "reported more than 1,742 recalls last year, skyrocketing from 426 in 2008, according to the Gold Sheet, a trade publication on drug quality that analyzes FDA data," although the drug repackager Advantage Dose "accounted for more than 1,000 of those recalls." CNN also notes that two "bills introduced this year would impose stricter regulations on the industry, and give the FDA authority to mandate recalls."

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News about our firm, corporate polluters, distracted driving, preventable hospital infections, pedestrian safety, dangerous product recalls and more.  Click here.