The Big Fight against DUI Preventing Accidents Caused by Drunk Drivers

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The responsibility that comes with driving your vehicle
Driving a vehicle entails a lot of responsibility. Most people think that they are the only ones that will be affected should an accident happen because of their recklessness. Little did they know that these mishaps can also affect the lives of others on the road.

For one, drunk driving or driving under the influence of alcohol or any other controlled and prohibited substance has been one of the major causes of vehicular accidents in the country. In California alone, thousand of crashes happen every year that causes millions of damage to property, gets thousands of people either injured or dead.

The government’s campaign to stop DUI
That is why the government, through the Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as well as other law-enforcement agencies like the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has been doubling their efforts in try to put a stop to senseless road accidents from happening. These efforts seem to be paying off quit well.

Recent DUI apprehensions
Just recently, controversial rapper Bobby Brown has been arrested yet again and sentence to 55 days in jail and four years of summary of probation for being caught driving under the influence of alcohol. This is his latest of a series of the government’s drunk driving arrests over the years. Catching a prominent personality is one major boost in raising awareness about the government’s campaign to put a stop to drunk driving.

Brown is just one of the many celebrities that were apprehended and jailed due to driving under the influence of alcohol or any controlled or banned substances. Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, and others have also been apprehended for the same offenses.

This is just the beginning
The government’s intensified campaign against drunk driving is just one of the many efforts that are put in place to help bring down the number of road accidents in the country. A Los angeles injury lawyer lauded this move by the government as he believes that by getting drunk or drugged people off the steering wheel, there would be lesser chances of accidents happening, making our roads safer for everybody. Many people and organizations are supporting this effort by the government by helping organize events to help reach out a much people as possible. This show that everybody, celebrity or not will be dealth with accordingly depending on their offenses.

New “Cool” Car Features That Would Help Elderly Drivers

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On a cultural standpoint, most cars that are perceived as being “cool” and “hip” often catch the attention of many driving enthusiasts. In fact, one can name cultural icons and personalities who are very much associated with the vehicles they drive.

One of them is Rowan Atkinson. We all have watched him in character on many TV and cartoon series, as well as movies, being the childish jester doing funny antics while occasionally driving around on his Mini with his best friend, Teddy. In real life, Atkinson, who had his own share of misfortunes (including what had happened to him recently), is well-recognized for his overwhelming passion for cars.

Sure, personalities such as him, as well as other people of the middle or high level of society, can very much afford cars that are considered “cool” in both appearance and performance. However, such vehicles don’t only catch the eye of enthusiasts, particularly the younger generation of drivers. Apparently, “cool” cars now have features that would help the elderly drive easier.

While research shows that it is more likely for elderly drivers to wear seatbelts and drive slowly but surely, aging is still a primary contributing factor as to they get involved in accidents on the road. There are certain conditions in which driving can become a bit difficult, which is why carmakers today are doing its best to design vehicles for the benefit of the elderly, especially those who are physically limited.

One of them is the push-button ignition. For some elderly drivers who can’t turn the car keys on the ignition upon the vehicle’s startup, pushing the button would do the trick. Another feature in future cars is that the car doors are wider, enough for the driver or passenger to get in or out. For those who have difficulty turning their heads, or have poor peripheral vision, vehicles with lane-assistance technology are for them.

Incidentally, every Los Angeles car accident attorney is elated with this new development in the motoring industry, as these will not only help elderly drivers operate such vehicles comfortably and easily, but would likely decrease injuries and deaths in road accidents within the age group.

Toyota’s Hard Road to Recover After their Global Vehicle Recall Woes

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Toyota has been one of the leading manufacturers of automobiles in the world. One of the best Japanese automakers, it has been enjoying sales successes not just on their domestic market in Japan, but also in other countries. Toyotas are preferred by car buyers from the first world countries, even the developing ones.

One of the brand’s strong qualities is its dependability and reliability. Its vehicles are relatively easy to maintain and can really go the distance. As shown in one of Top Gear UK’s episodes, a Toyota vehicle, a Hilux pick-up in particular, still has managed to run and continue functioning in spite of all the harsh things done to it by the show’s presenters. When one thinks about a durable and dependable car, the brand that first comes to mind is Toyota.

However recently, the carmaker has been facing a lot of problems about its cars’ quality. Remember the dreaded Toyota recalls?  In late 2009, the carmaker had started conducting recalls of various models in the US and other countries across the globe.

As of October 10, 2012, the Japanese carmaker has already recalled millions of vehicles for various faults. This has spawned a number of complaints from its millions of affected customers. This also led to the filing of a number of class suits against the auto giant.

Consequently, the recalls have affected Toyota’s standing in the global market. From being the number 1 automaker in the entire world, the brand has dropped a couple of places, falling behind General Motors and the Ford Motor Company.

Also, Toyota is also currently facing several cases after victims from accidents caused by the vehicle defects. In Los Angeles alone, customers have hired their respective Los Angeles accident attorney and filed cases against the carmaker.

And so, after a series of investigations held by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Toyota has formally agreed to pay $17.35 million in civil penalties. This is the maximum fine allowable under the law. The biggest Japanese automaker was asked to pay the fine after it failed to report safety defects to the federal government in time. Additionally, this action is the single highest civil penalty amount to be paid to the agency for violations stemming from a vehicle recall.

So how can you avoid ending up getting a defective vehicle? There are a lot of ways that can help you with choosing the vehicle you’d buy. Informing yourself is the key. You can read online reviews, or check owners’ forums so you can see the issues that the vehicle you’re eying has.

So as a discerning customer, you should be more careful with the choices that you make. Before giving up that hard-earned money, make sure that you nothing but the best to stay away from lemons.