Pedestrians
Smartphone App Developed for Pedestrian Safety
February 5, 2012 | Author Don Jacobs, Trial Attorney
Last month, I wrote about the smartphone app iOnRoad. Created by Picitup, the app offers collision warnings and other features for drivers. Now there’s a new addition to the small but growing world of road safety applications, but this time the makers are hoping to lower the incidents of pedestrian injuries.
Researchers at Dartmouth and the University of Bologna in Italy have developed an app that warns users of approaching vehicles. It has its limitations, the major one being that it only works when the phone is being used on an active call. However, the app’s main reason for development was to help pedestrians who are distracted (talking on their cell phone).
WalkSafe, which was developed by a group led by Andrew Campbell, professor of computer science at Dartmouth and head of the Smartphone Sensing Group, beeps and vibrates when users are in the path of an oncoming vehicle. It can detect vehicles going at least 30 miles an hour and from 50 meters away (164 feet).
The group is currently working on improving the app by speeding up the recognition algorithm. WalkSafe only works on Android phones.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, pedestrian fatalities account for about 12 percent of all traffic fatalities. There are about 4,000 pedestrian deaths each year. The good news is that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says those numbers dropped by seven percent from 2008 to 2009 and by 14 percent since 2000.
Posted in Pedestrians
Grieving Mother Takes Up Anti-Distracted Driving Cause
December 30, 2011 | Author Don Jacobs, Trial Attorney
Well-intentioned legislation aiming to lower car accidents related to distracted driving is necessary. However, it’s just as necessary for individuals and groups of private citizens to take up the cause, raise awareness, and hopefully get through to people that cell phones and driving are a deadly mix.
It’s unfortunate that many of those people who take the cause up with passion have been immediately touched by the tragedy associated with distracted driving. And tragedy doesn’t get any more heart-wrenching than the story of two-year-old Anna Brulotte of Bellingham, Washington.
On September 30, 2010, Anna and siblings Alice, 9, and Sam, 7, were with their mother Melissa as they crossed the street in a school zone. That’s when a distracted teen driver caused a two-car accident that killed Anna instantly.
While Melissa is bit reluctant about taking up the cause, one can assume there is a bit of therapy in sharing your story and trying to make a difference.
Not long after the accident, Melissa joined a group at the state capitol in Olympia to testify on behalf of enhancing penalties against drivers who injure “vulnerable users” of roads, such as bicyclists and pedestrians.
She also started the Anna Brulotte Memorial Foundation which raises money for grants for programs that promote safer school zones and for local law enforcement agencies to target dangerous drivers.
“It’s hard to do it, because it’s so emotional. But the drum has to be beat,” said Melissa.
As for the 17-year-old who was responsible for the accident, she was sentenced to 30 days in a juvenile facility. She also has to serve a year under community supervision and must do 150 hours of community service, including public presentations about her experience.
That time will fly by in comparison to having to live with the emotion and guilt for the rest of her life.
Pedestrian and Motorcyclist Accident in Gresham
August 8, 2011 | Author Don Jacobs, Trial Attorney
Usually pedestrians and motorcyclists are two of the three most vulnerable people on the streets (bicyclists being the third). Unfortunately, they both became victims in a horrible accident late last month.
At 10:30 p.m. on July 23, police responded to the crash in Gresham in the area of Southwest 5th Drive and 182nd Avenue where a 20-year-old motorcyclist hit a 30-year-old pedestrian. They found both men, but they were 200 feet apart.
According to the Gresham Police Department's Vehicular Crimes Team, the motorcyclist was driving his 2003 Honda motorcycle northbound on Southeast 182nd Avenue at a high rate of speed when he collided with the pedestrian who was attempting to cross the street. The results were catastrophic.
“The violent collision severed the lower portion of [the pedestrian's] left leg and caused the two parties to land approximately 200 feet from each other,” said Officer John Rasmussen of the Gresham police department.
Both men were transported by ambulance to Oregon Health & Science University. The motorcycle driver had broken bones and head and neck injuries and was reported to be in fair condition. The pedestrian is in serious condition.
The Gresham police are investigating whether or not other vehicles were involved in the crash.
Doctor Saves Pedestrian Hit by Truck
June 16, 2011 | Author Don Jacobs, Trial Attorney
Police Searching for Fatal Hit and Run Culprit
February 2, 2011 | Author Don Jacobs, Trial Attorney
Last week, a 37-year-old man from Salem, Oregon was killed in a hit and run accident. Morales Singer was hit while walking on a dimly lit road close to midnight on January 26.
However, the person who did the unspeakable act of leaving the scene of an accident left some evidence at the scene of what became a criminal investigation. The culprit’s car is missing its passenger side mirror and some other debris. While police didn’t initially know the make and model of the vehicle, it didn’t take long for them to find out that the vehicle belonged to 19-year-old Jake Montano.
Police identified Montano after they recovered a black 1990 Honda Accord believed to be the vehicle from the fatal crash. It’s missing the passenger side mirror and has considerable damage in the front of the vehicle – the right front headlight was destroyed.
Hit and run is a serious criminal offense. Never let the emotions of panicking at the scene of an auto accident overwhelm your sense of reason… or it may lead to a Class A traffic violation, with heavy fines, loss of license and even possible jail time.
Here is what is expected of Oregon residents after a car accident:
If you are involved in a car accident, legally you must stop right away and return to the scene. You must also give the other driver (or drivers) your registration and insurance information.
Even if a car is parked, you still have to stop and make an effort to find the owner. If they can’t be found, you must leave your information in a visible place, with the windshield being the most logical choice.
In more serious accidents where someone is injured, you are expected to make an effort to assist the other party. This includes assisting them in getting treatment by calling an ambulance if you have a cell phone. If not, then assisting them with transportation to a hospital is a possible substitute.
If you fail to follow these expectations, you can be charged with hit and run, or the "failure to perform duties following an accident."
Even if you leave the scene of an accident that only resulted in property damage, you still face a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by as much as a year in jail and big fines under Oregon law.
Posted in Pedestrians
