Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
It’s Drive Safely Work Week (DSWW) and driving on the job as well as getting to and from work safely is everybody’s business.
The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation to help reduce the risks of on-the-job injuries resulting from distracted driving car accidents in Illinois and elsewhere. This year’s campaign slogan is “Focus 360.” With work-related motor-vehicle accidents up this year in Illinois, employees across the state are asked to join in.Our Chicago workers’ compensation attorneys ask that everyone get involved in this week-long campaign. You don’t have to be the driver to participate. Distractions can come from passengers, pedestrians and cyclists as well and we can all do our part to help prevent these accidents. While many view distractions as an unacceptable driving behavior, most of us are guilty of not keeping our full attention on the road at all times. We need to start practicing what we preach to help keep everyone safe on our roadways.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary, motor-vehicle accidents accounted for about 2 out of every 5 fatal work accidents in 2010. These accidents include cars, trucks, off-road tractors, pedestrians, railways, water vehicles and aircraft.
There were more than 70 fatal work-related transportation accidents in Illinois in 2010. Transportation accidents at work accounted for more fatalities than assaults, violent acts, contact with objects and equipment, falls, fires, explosions and exposure to harmful substances or environments. Our state witnessed nearly 50 more work-related fatalities in 2010 than we did in 2009.
This event is held every October and is used to provide an opportunity for employers and companies to focus on safe driving habits and to help them to enact a cell phone policy in the workplace. Everyone needs to take this matter seriously as these accidents are in fact preventable.
Companies and employers are able to reach about half of the entire world’s population. Employers’ support in the fight against distracted driving is critical if we want to make a difference.
The campaign offers the following to employers at all stages of the effort:
-Provides materials to help employers to create a cell phone policy kit in the workplace.
-Resources to help employers enforce their current cell phone policy.
-Help employers to educate drivers about distracted driving habits even if they don’t wish to enact a policy.
According to distraction.gov, there were approximately 5,500 people who were killed in the U.S. because of car accidents that involved a distracted driver in 2009. These accidents accounted for about 20 percent of all fatal traffic accidents. About 1,000 of these deaths were the result of a driver who was distracted by a cell phone during the time of the accident. Cell phone use while driving makes a driver four times as likely to be involved in a serious traffic accident.
These accidents are preventable and with the proper participation and effort from residents, we can all do our part to help reduce the number of fatal accidents resulting from the irresponsible behavior.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a distracted driving-related car accident, the Chicago injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes would like to offer you a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.
More Blog Entries:
Study Focuses on Countermeasures to Reduce Risks of Distracted-Driving Car Accidents in Illinois and Elsewhere
September 26, 2011
Fatal Distracted-Driving Car Accident in Chicago Could Result in Serious Criminal Charges
September 15, 2011