Las Vegas Litigation Law Blog

Las Vegas motorists are aware of the dangers of distracted driving, but most people associate the problem with cellphone use, such as texting or sending an email, while behind the wheel. However, a data analysis by Erie Insurance found that most distracted driving accidents are actually caused by simple daydreaming.

According to federal statistics, approximately 172,000 people were killed in U.S. traffic accidents over the past five years. Erie Insurance researchers used the Fatality Analysis Reporting System to examine the causes of these fatal crashes and found that 10 percent of them were attributed to distracted driving. Of those cases, 61 percent involved drivers who were lost in thought, bored or daydreaming. In comparison, only 14 percent of distracted driving deaths were blamed on cellphone use, such as reading a text or calling someone.

Whether acquired through a car accident, sports trauma or another type of injury, concussions can be life-changing for people in California. While it is widely known that concussions can result from impacts to the head, there is less information about how to prevent concussion or identify the types of impact that are more likely to cause this damage. Researchers used data recorded from football players and computer simulations of the human brain to attempt to identify why concussions happen after certain injuries but not others.

The researchers found that concussions and other forms of mild traumatic brain injury were likely to occur when a particular area inside the brain, called the corpus callosum, shook more strongly than the surrounding tissue. However, they also noted that due to the physical complexity of the brain, there was no clear relationship between different types of head impacts and these types of internal injuries. Researchers noted that gaining a greater understanding of the biomechanics of the brain could help to treat and prevent brain injury.

Nevada drivers who are concerned about road safety may be interested to know that human influence could have a negative impact on autonomous vehicle technology. According to a computer professor from Arizona State University, the vehicles are unsafe because they are programmed to copy humans.

The professor is conducting a study that's funded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Science Foundation. The focus of the research is cyber-physical systems designs that can ensure how the systems will behave in a certain situation.

Nevada drivers probably know that speeding and drunk driving are high risk behaviors that contribute to auto accidents, but they may be surprised to learn about some of the other factors contributing to traffic fatalities. Safe driving requires a comprehensive approach to safety that includes taking precautions before getting behind the wheel along with attentiveness after getting started.

Distracted driving is a major cause of traffic accidents. Most people tend to think about smartphones and other electronics when the subject of distracted driving is presented, but drivers were getting distracted long before they could use a phone in traffic. Eating and drinking while driving are classic examples of in-car distractions. Looking too long in the rearview mirror or staring at signs or storefronts along the road are also considered unsafe driving practices. Failing to take precautions for inclement weather events also increases risks for drivers. Being prepared to take extra time on icy or wet roads is a hallmark of safe drivers.