GJEL Blog » Driving Information

The debate on mandatory motorcycle helmet laws is forever complicated by a familiar question: should individuals have the right to put themselves in grave danger? Many motorcycle advocacy organizations say yes, and have become outspoken opponents of motorcycle helmet laws that have passed in 20 states across the country, including California. At a protest involving more than 500 bikers in New York this week, the helmet debate hit a tragic point, when 55-year old Philip Contos, an opponent to the state’s helmet law, suffered a fatal head wound after flying over the handlebars of his motorcycle.

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It’s finally 4th of July weekend, which means a (much deserved) day off for most of us, a chance to relax outside with BBQ and friends, and the yearly celebration of our country’s independence. Unfortunately, it also means that many California drivers will abuse their freedom by choosing to drive drunk. But since 4th of July weekend has accompanied a spike in drunk drivers and car accidents in past years, the California Highway Patrol has said that it will boost DUI patrols this weekend. So in order to stay safe and avoid a ticket, never get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol.

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As the number of cyclists throughout California continues to rise each year, the state has consistently taken incremental steps toward improving bicycle safety on city streets and highways. This week, bike safety advocates celebrated a major milestone for a law that would require motorists to allow three feet while passing cyclists in most cases, a key issue for the California Bicycle Coalition. Despite spirited opposition, the California Assembly Transportation Committee approved the bill by a vote of 8-5, sending it to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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As distracted driving continues to become more taboo, cities and states across the country have enacted laws against the dangerous practice that leads to about 6,000 deaths each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In early 2010, for example, the state of Oregon joined safety minded states like California in implementing a hands-free distracted driving law. But 18 months later, Oregonians continue to drive distracted, which has led the Portland Police Department, led by Mayor Sam Adams, to increase regulation with the state’s first regular police patrols for distracted drivers.

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We’ve all had moments where it feels like the traffic light will never change to green. Many intersections have sensors underneath the concrete that alert the traffic light when to let cars through. But what happens when your preferred mode of transportation isn’t heavy enough to trip the sensor? That’s the problem for bicycle and motorcycle riders who are too often stranded at intersections, unable to change the light. That could finally change, thanks to a pilot program in San Jose that could lead to more advanced traffic light technology that will sense the presence of a motorcycle, or even a bicycle.

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As part of the new advertising campaign for this summer’s Pixar animated film Cars 2, Disney has released a public service announcement that warns about the dangers of distracted driving with the help of characters from the film. The short PSA is sponsored by the film studios and the Department of Transportation to spread the message that “only bad guys drive distracted,” and “one text or call could wreck it all.” The combined DOT and Cars 2 website provides additional information on distracted driving.

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We’ve all used Google Maps to find the best route to our desired location. What originally began as a resource for drivers has since expanded to include directions suggestions for pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of public transportation. Of course, this raises a number of safety implications, since pedestrians and cyclists are always in more danger than motorists while navigating city streets. But if a pedestrian or cyclist is injured while following Google Maps directions, should they be able to sue the internet search mega conglomerate? A Utah district court ruled recently that Google is not liable since they did not owe the victim a duty, and since the company provides a valuable public service that is applied generally to all consumers.

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On Monday, we posted the results of a bike helmet safety survey we ran through May is National Bike Month. According to the survey, although nearly 70 percent of cyclists in California say they wear bike helmets most of the time, few think that state law should require them to do so. This holds true for media anecdotes about bike helmets. Last year, for example, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was booed at a bike conference when he announced his support for a statewide law requiring helmets for all cyclists. California’s motorcycle community faces a similar helmet debate that pits safety advocates against riders who demand the right to ride without a helmet, regardless of the risks.

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We’ve written a lot about car safety for senior drivers after losing eyesight, motor skills, or mental capacity. But a recent Los Angeles Times report notes that seniors are also in danger of traffic accidents outside their cars. In fact, according to last month’s “Dangerous By Design” study of traffic deaths between 2000 and 2009, seniors comprised a disproportionate 22 percent of pedestrian deaths, while making up 13 percent of the population. This morning, a group of San Francisco seniors plan to bring attention to senior pedestrian accidents with a streets safety event aptly named “DeathRace 2011.”

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For many parents, the idea of buying your teen a new car is frightening. If your son or daughter’s new drivers license wasn’t enough, buying them their own car grants an unparalleled freedom that is at times difficult to monitor. That’s why many families draft a parent-teen safe driver contract to assure safe driving decisions even when you’re not in the car. But it’s also important to research the safest cars on the market, to assure that your teen driver will stay safe even if something unpredictable happens. Over the past year, Consumer Reports has done a great job of highlighting safe cars for teen drivers, with a special emphasis on affordability. Their new list goes even further.

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