Three Reasons Our Streets Are Killing Us

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June 11th, 2021

Do you think that the rise in auto accident fatalities was by design or was simply coincidence?  One reporter is making the case that fatalities are on the rise in Connecticut due to the way roads are designed.  To be clear, this is not a Connecticut only issue and it is certainly not one that is causing only New Haven auto accidents to be on the rise.  This is a 50 state problem and must be solved with a 50 state solution. A decades old guide book, known as “The Green Book” was written by the American Association of State Highway And Transportation Officials (AASHTO) to dictate some common rules for road design.  This book is used by states and the federal government as a guide when building roads across the country.  The book was written without any public input by a group of traffic engineers. There are three reasons that the Read the full article…

5 Stats To Remember During The 100 Deadliest Days

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June 9th, 2021

Sadly there is a name for the 100 days of summer that is significant for drivers and that is the 100 Deadliest Days.  The term refers to the period of time that teen drivers on the road more frequently due to being out of school and having the summer off.  With more inexperienced drivers on the road there is a greater likelihood of increased New Haven auto accidents. Teens are among the highest risk group of drivers to be on the road.  The risk factors that affect this group of drivers are two fold, one they are inexperienced and two they are more likely then their older counterparts to drive fast.  It is with this in mind that it is important for all drivers on the road to understand this time of year as increasingly dangerous and to be on the lookout for drivers who are demonstrating risky behaviors behind Read the full article…

104 People Died In Connecticut Because They Failed To Wear A Seatbelt

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June 7th, 2021

The Connecticut State Police have long had a campaign called “Click It Or Ticket” encouraging all drivers on Connecticut’s roads to wear a seatbelt otherwise they can be cited.  It’s also true that it is increasingly dangerous to not wear a seatbelt, in fact, in 2020 104 people lost their lives because they got into an auto accident when they weren’t wearing their seatbelt. The thing about wearing a seatbelt is it is one of the few things that is just about guaranteed to protect you in the event of a car crash.  Following the speed limit and avoiding driving while distracted are also great ways to keep yourself safe and avoid an injury or death.  Wearing your seatbelt is your last line of defense in keeping you safe if you are involved in any level of a car accident. When thinking about wearing your seatbelt here are some things Read the full article…

Keeping Your Family Safe At Connecticut Zoos, Museums, and Aquariums

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June 3rd, 2021

This summer many in Connecticut will be heading back to our state’s zoos, aquariums, and museums for the first time in over a year.  These incredible resources for education and enrichment for our children are wonderful destinations to learn and discover new and exciting things about the world around us.  Like going back to anywhere you haven’t been in a while it is good to remember how to stay safe when attending one of these institutions. As June is National Zoo and Aquarium Month it is a good time to go over some of the safety rules you should instill in your kids before you go to one of these places so they will be able to avoid a New Haven slip and fall injury. No running.  Just like you would tell your child when swimming at a pool, running can be dangerous and can lead to injury.  The ground Read the full article…

Changes To Pedestrian Traffic Laws Approved By The Connecticut Senate

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June 3rd, 2021

In an overwhelmingly bi-partisan vote of 32-3, the Connecticut Senate approved a new bill aimed at reducing the number of New Haven pedestrian accidents that occur each year.   Last year, pedestrian accidents were significantly higher then in recent years.  In fact, 65 pedestrians were killed in the state of Connecticut last year alone.  This is a staggering number and one that the General Assembly felt that it was important to address. The new law makes the following changes to existing traffic laws; Allows pedestrians to wave from the side of the road to indicate their intent to cross. Cities and towns will now be allowed more flexibility in setting their own speed limits without first having to run it by the state for approval. Prohibits “dooring” which describes when car doors are left open and impede the process of a bicyclist or pedestrian. After having passed the Connecticut House of Representatives the Read the full article…

New Google Maps Update Good For Pedestrians

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June 1st, 2021

If you’re one of the over 1 billion people that uses Google Maps as a way to get around safely and quickly you will be happy to know that the app is taking a giant leap forward in the next few weeks to give both commuters who drive and those that get to work on foot new tools to get to their destinations safely and quickly.  Today, we’re going to focus on some of the new features that will help prevent New Haven pedestrian accidents. Particularly if you’re out walking in a neighborhood that may not be familiar to you, you may need to use Google Maps as a way to navigate to your destination.  It can be tricky to know if a road is safe or if the sidewalks are passable, but now with the latest updates from Google Maps you should have a somewhat easier time with that.  Read the full article…