Georgia Injury Attorney Blog

Passengers increase the risks for teen car accidents in Atlanta and elsewhere. On the other hand, parents can help to mitigate their child's risk. Two recent studies, unveiled in the Journal of Adolescent Health revealed that the presence of passengers can contribute to the likelihood of serious teen car accidents. Meanwhile, parents who are highly involved with their teen lessen their chances of a deadly crash.

Passengers are likely to take a teen driver's attention off of the roadway and off of safe driving habits. However, it has been proven that parental involvement can help to keep your teen driver focused on the roadway and focused on the dangers it presents. Graduated driver's licensing (GDL) programs and parental involvement can help to keep your teen safe behind the wheel.

Our Georgia car accident attorneys understand the risks teens face on our roadways. They are not equipped with the experience and knowledge that you and I have gained over years behind the wheel. For this reason, as parents and as caregivers, it's crucial to stay on top of your teen's driving habits. Make sure they're following all of the laws laid out in Georgia's GDL Program.

In our state, drivers who have a restricted license, or an intermediate license, are prohibited from having any peer passengers in the vehicle with them during their first 6 months of holding this license. After six months of experience, they're allowed 1 passenger under the age of 21 in the vehicle with them. They are not allowed to have more than 3 passengers, even when they're over the age of 21, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Passengers can directly influence a teen driver's actions behind the wheel. Researchers recently analyzed data from a number of car accident reports involving teen drivers and found that when passengers were present, teens were distracted just moments before the accidents. Both male and female teen drivers engaged in distractions because of the passengers, though the type of distractions varied depending on the driver's sex. Whereas boys were more likely to display a show-off behavior and drive more dangerously in the presence of other passengers, female teen drivers were more likely to engage in activities with their passengers which took their attention off of the roadway, such as talking or texting. States that have strict passenger laws and comprehensive GDL programs for these learning drivers typically have a lower accident rate for teen drivers.

"One in five females and one in four males who were driving with friends were distracted by something inside the vehicle just before they crashed," said Allison E. Curry, Ph.D., MPH.

Passenger-limiting laws aren't the only way to help keep our teen driver's safe on the road. In another study, it was also concluded that teens who had parents who were involved in their activities behind the wheel were typically safer on our roadways. Parents who knew where there teen was driving, when they'd be home and were familiar with who was riding in the vehicle and how the teen drove typically had a safer-driving teen. When parents are not involved in their teen's driving career, especially at this vulnerable age, teens are less likely to recognize the dangers and the risks that are associated with operating a motor vehicle.

It was something out of a parent's worst nightmare: a school bus accident in Atlanta sent more than a dozen children to the hospital after the bus overturned.

The wreck happened earlier this month. Our Atlanta school bus accident attorneys understand that officials are getting closer to determining what may have caused the bus driver to lose control, sending 16 East Hall High School students to the hospital with injuries.

According to The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, the driver, an employee of Hall County Schools, briefly blacked out in the moments before the crash, which happened just after 8 a.m. A spokesman for Hall County Schools said the 55-year-old driver was hired in 2008 and completed a battery of health tests before he was brought on board. All bus drivers, he said, submit to annual drug tests, as well as medical check-ups that might reveal problems that could render them unsafe behind the wheel. There was no indication, the spokesman said, that the driver was ill. What's more, his driving record was spotless.

The investigation into this case is ongoing, and the schools spokesman said he expects more medical testing will shed more light into exactly what may have caused the driver to lose consciousness.

Of all the students who were treated for injuries, one was rushed to a medical facility by ambulance and another 14 were taken by bus. An additional seven students were treated at the scene before being taken to school. One of those seven children was later hospitalized.

In this case, we realize it could have been much worse. In fact, it was less than two years ago when another school bus overturned in Carroll County, about 50 miles west of Atlanta, killing a 17-year-old student on board and injuring another 10. In that case, it was determined that the driver was a trainee. A driver trainer had been on the bus as well.

While our Atlanta school bus accident attorneys realize that these accidents almost certainly weren't intentional, that doesn't mean they may not have been preventable. We will be watching closely to see what the investigations reveal in terms of the contributing factors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates there are some 25 million school children in the U.S. who ride some 500,000 buses. Statistically, a school bus may be one of the safer ways a student can be transported. Still, it seems serious school bus accidents are reported almost daily.

In some cases, it may not be the fault of the driver, but rather the district, or maybe some combination of both. If the district didn't screen its employee properly, that could be one factor. When children are struck by a school bus, it can sometimes be the result of poor planning on the district's part, or an ineffective design for a crosswalk or school bus stop.

Each of these factors deserve to be weighed by an experienced Georgia school bus accident attorney who will for what's best for your child.

Travel along Interstate 75 can be dangerous. It can be risky during busy travel seasons, through poor weather conditions and in low visibility situations. Millions travel through Georgia every year, whether it's their final destination, or they are passing through to Florida. The high volume of traffic along I-75 in these areas greatly increases your risk for a car accident in Atlanta and elsewhere.

According to FOX News, two Pastors from Georgia got caught in a massive car accident along I-75 as they made their way from Florida back to the Atlanta area. The clergymen had just attended a religious conference when they decided to head home a day early. One of the pastors wanted to wait until the morning, while the other wanted to head back early to make it to Sunday morning's service. The pastors packed up the church's two vans and headed out.

Our Atlanta car accident lawyers understand that the Atlanta-area church received a morning phone call alerting them that the two vans had been involved in an accident because of the highway's heavy fog. The accident happened along I-75 near Gainesville. Seven members from the church were killed in the accident. All in all, there were two fatal pileups on the six-lane interstate. A total of 10 people were killed in the accident.

The accident was so severe, it made national headlines on NBC Nightly News. The National Transportation Safety Board, which typically investigates airline disasters, was also called to the scene.

The accident happened after the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) decided to re-open the interstate after shutting it down due to an earlier accident. Shortly after that first accident, the area became foggy again and visibility was drastically reduced by smoke from a brush fire in the area. Florida Governor Rick Scott has ordered an investigation into the FHP's decision to re-open the interstate after the first accident.

"We went through the area. We made an assessment. We came to the conclusion that the road was safe to travel and that is when we opened the road up," FHP spokesman Lt. Patrick Riordan. "Drivers have to recognize that the environment changes. They have to be prepared to make good judgments."

The second accident involved at least 12 cars, as well as about six tractor-trailers and a motor home. The accident happened shortly before 4 a.m. Some cars were wedged underneath semi-trucks, others just burst into flames. Ten people were killed and eight more were hospitalized.

As we enter brush fire season, it's important to understand that smoke can often reduce visibility on the Interstate.

Lt. Riordan said he expected that drivers would have altered their driving habits to accommodate the current conditions. It's true - drivers need to be careful when driving through smoke and fog. There are a few simple safety steps that can be practiced to help maximize safety when driving through these areas. The Weather Channel is here to offer you these life-saving tips.

When Driving Through Smoke and Fog:

-Be sure to put your low-beam lights on. Your high beam lights will only reflect light off the fog and back into your line of vision, hindering your ability to see.

-Slow down. Because you can't see as far ahead of you as normal, your reaction times are greatly reduced. Remember that fog and smoke can actually create a visual illusion of slow motion when you could actually be speeding. Keep an eye on your speedometer.

-Keep your ears open. Open your window a little bit so that you can hear your surroundings better.

-Use your defrosters to maximize your visibility.

-Use the edge of the road or the painted lines on the road as a guide.

-Avoid passing lanes of traffic.

-Never stop on the interstate or on a busy highway. If your car stalls in this area, take your foot off of the brake pedal. Drivers tend to follow the tail lights of the vehicle in front of them when driving through these conditions. If you're forced to stop, move away from your vehicle and from traffic to avoid injury.

A new website was recently launched to help moms protect their children in the event of a car accident in Atlanta and elsewhere. The new website, "Car Seat Safety for Kids," is now accessible, thanks to Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP) as well as The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. This new website is replacing dated information from the "Keeping Kids Safe During Crashes" website. The new site provides moms with a plethora or information regarding child passenger safety (CPS). It's estimated that more than 70 percent of children in the U.S. are improperly buckled in while riding in a motor vehicle. The website provides brand new videos for CPS educators, parents and guardians to help keep consumers to stay up-to-date with the latest car seat recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

"A generous grant from Kohl's allowed us to re-film all of the videos, as well as update the voiceover, images and technology," said Gina Duchossois, Trauma Prevention Coordinator.

Our Atlanta car accident attorneys understand that the AAP released new recommendations for child car seats in 2011. Unfortunately, many parents are not familiar with these new recommendations, which have been proven to be the best tool to prevent injury or death to your child in the event of a motor vehicle accident. Parents are urged to review the information on this website, as well as the information regarding the new car seat recommendations. In addition to reviewing the information, parents are urged to visit a child car seat inspection location in Georgia to make sure that car seats are installed properly into the vehicle. As we've said before, more than 70 percent of children in the U.S. are improperly buckled in, studies show.

Child Car Seat Recommendations:

-Children under the age of 1: These small children should be riding in a rear-facing car seat. Typically, these types of seats have higher weight and height limits so that children can be kept in these seats longer.

-Children from 1- to 3-years-old: These young passengers are to be kept in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible. Once they've outgrown the size and weight limits of the rear-facing seat, it's time to move them to a forward-facing car seat. The new seat should have a harness.

-Children from 4- to 7-years-old: These young riders should be kept in a forward-facing car seat for as long as possible. As your passengers graduate to this age group, once they meet the weight and height limit for the forward-facing child's seat, it's time to move your passenger to a booster seat. It's important to keep the booster seat in the back, away from air bags.

-Children from 8- to 12-years-old: As your passenger grows, it's important to keep them protected. When you child outgrows a booster seat, it's time for them to move to an adult seat and seat belt. Make sure the belts fit properly and that the lap part of the seat belt lies across the upper thigh while the upper portion lies firmly against the chest (away from the neck and face).

According to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), drivers throughout the northern portion of the state are urged to be cautious as winter weather conditions permeate our roadways. Parts of the state are expected to experience some snowy and icy conditions through the remainder of the winter season. Snowy and icy roadways greatly increase drivers' risks of getting into a potentially fatal car accident in Northern Georgia. Drivers are asked to be cautious when driving through the wicked winter weather. If at all possible, avoid driving through these conditions. But if driving is a must, please do so carefully and cautiously.

"We are continuously monitoring the weather and the forecast as winter weather is predicted. Snow, black ice and fallen trees are possible," said Kent Sager, district engineer at the DOT office in Cartersville.

Our Atlanta car accident attorneys understand that some areas of the state are more susceptible than others to dangerous winter weather driving conditions. We would like to ask drivers to beware of black ice around bridges. It is in these areas that black ice forms before any other area. Not only does it form near and on bridges first, but it does so quickly. Drivers are asked to slow down their speed while driving through these areas and to allow plenty of distance between their vehicle and the vehicles of others. Drivers need more time to react on snowy and icy roadways that they do on normal, dry roadways. Please be safe and cautious out there.

Areas likely to experience dangerous winter driving conditions, areas with high elevations or gaps in:

-Whitfield County

-White County

-Walker County

-Union County

-Towns County

-Murray County

-Lumpkin County

-Gilmer County

-Floyd County

-Fannin County

-Dawson County

-Dade County

-Chattooga County

-Catoosa County

The drought has caused trees to fall and root systems to weaken and the high winds of the winter season are expected to blow some of these trees around. For this reason, drivers are urged to be cautious when driving near areas with dense trees. These things can easily be blown into the roadway and can also knock down traffic signals and power lines. Keep an eye on your entire surroundings, not just the roadway.

DOT officials always have an eye on the weather conditions and are ready to respond to help fix dangerous roadway conditions if needed. DOT officials release their emergency response vessels upon indication from the National Weather Service and from local law enforcement.

Motorists are asked to check out the latest road and traffic conditions on the NaviGator 511 website of GDOT. If weather is shoddy, drivers are asked to stay off of the roadways. If travel is necessary, we ask that drivers alter their driving habits to accommodate the current weather conditions. Extra focus, attention and safety is needed when driving along snowy or icy roadway. Be safe out there and keep safety as a number on priority.

There was a balloon release recently at the Kroger store in Grayson to remember two teenage employees who were killed in a Georgia car accident in Gwinnett County, according to The Atlanta-Journal-Constitution.

Officers are still investigating the three-vehicle head-on crash that killed the 17- and 19-year-old employees. The accident occurred at the intersection of Grayson Highway and Webb Gin House Road. A third occupant of the vehicle, another 17-year-old, was also involved in the accident, but was lucky enough to survive. He was taken to the Gwinnett Medical Center and was last listed in critical condition. Also in the accident was a 51-year-old from Loganville who was later slapped with a DUI charge. A 22-year-old from Grayson and her 21-year old passenger were also treated for injuries at the scene of the accident. The 22-year-old was then arrested for an outstanding warrant. Lastly, a 49-year-old female from Loganville was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center to be treated for the injuries sustained in the accident.

Our Atlanta car accident attorneys understand that teenage drivers face higher risks for accidents than older, more experienced drivers. Regardless, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families affected by this tragic accident. As we start the New Year, parents are urged to talking with the teenage drivers in their lives about staying safe on our roadways.

According to officers, the teenage driver was heading west on Webb Gin House Road when she veered the vehicle into the center lane just west of Chadwick Park Drive. Upon entering the center lane. She sideswiped another vehicle, which was sent spinning into the last involved vehicle.

Officials are still investigating the accident to determine the exact cause.

There was also a candle lighting at Grayson High School to honor the 17-year-old student who was killed in the accident.

Georgia Teen Car Accidents:

-Nearly 200 teens were killed in traffic accidents in Georgia in 2006.

-Almost 250 others were killed in car accidents that involved a teenage driver in 2006.

Parents are urged to frequently talk with the teen drivers in their lives about safe driving habits. The Georgia Department of Transportation is here to help parents with the task. Remember to stay actively involved in a teen's driving career long after they've received an unrestricted driver's license to help reduce their risks of a potentially serious car accident.

Safety Tips for Teen Drivers:

-Slow down! You never want to exceed the speed limit. Remember that the speed limits are for driving in ideal weather conditions. Slow down even more when weather hinders visibility.

-Never tailgate other vehicles. Tailgating only reduces the time you have to react to a road hazard.

-Stay alert and curb all distractions.

-Always inspect your vehicle before starting it up and heading out.

-Be sure that everyone, including yourself, is buckled in before hitting the roadway.

-Never drive after drinking or taking drugs.

-When a traffic light is green, you should always scan the intersection before proceeding.

-Stay with the flow of traffic.

The Atlanta Braves are offering their condolences to one of their trainers, Jeff Porter, after the top trainer's wife was killed in what was reported to be an Atlanta car accident that involved a speeding State Patrol cruiser and the trainers SUV, according to The Washington Post.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jeff and Kathy's family, their son David and all their friends and loved ones," the team said in an e-mailed statement.

Our Atlanta car accident lawyers understand that traffic accidents that involve a law enforcement vehicles and other government property can be complicated by a number of factors. In this accident, eye witness reports indicate that the officer was speeding. Oftentimes, in these types of accidents, it's the investigators who are in charge of investigating themselves and the accident they were involved in. This can result in bias and unfair conclusions. For this reason, it's important for you to contact an experienced law firm with resources to help you fight for your rights after an accident with a government vehicle. In these cases you need strong representation to take on these agencies in order to secure the compensation you and your family deserve.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the State Patrol has released minimal details regarding the collision that took the life of the trainer's wife. There has been one eye witness to come forward with his take on the accident. The witness works with the federal prison system in Atlanta. When the accident happened, the witness says that he had just got off work and saw the officer's cruiser speed past him just before 5:00 p.m., clearly exceeding the posted speed limit. He says he was getting ready to leave a BP gas station when he saw the accident happen.

"As soon as I saw him go past I said 'man I hope he don't hit nobody," the witness said. "Seconds later I heard a big blast."

At that time, Porter, his son and his wife were driving to go see the Chick-fil-A-Bowl game.

According to authorities, that's when the cruiser slammed into Porter's SUV, at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Capitol Avenue. His wife died at the scene of the accident. Porter, his son and another passenger were injured in the collision as well.

The officer in the cruiser involved in the accident was reportedly a 10-year veteran who was heading out to help about another officer in a chase on Interstate 20.

"Any personnel actions related to the crash will be based on the findings of the various investigations," said Georgia State Patrol spokesman Gordy Wright.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is celebrating decreases in the total number of fatal car accidents in Georgia and elsewhere from 2009 to 2010. While this is good news, the fatality statistics among many accident categories saw a significant increase, including fatalities that resulted from pedestrian, motorcycle, trucking, van and bicycling accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These results illustrate that even more needs to be done among law enforcement officials, communities and all drivers to help make traveling in a motor vehicle safer for everyone.

The NHTSA's reduction claim comes with the new release of the 2010 traffic accident statistics. This is the most up-to-date data available regarding accidents across the United States. This nationwide data concludes that roughly 32,900 people were killed in traffic accidents throughout 2010. While the number of fatalities overall decreased from the previous year, the number of injuries increased from 2.2 million to 2.4 million.

Our North Georgia car accident attorneys understand that these statistics illustrated the fewest number of traffic crash fatalities since 1949. Still, there were a number of traffic incidents that saw steep increases in fatalities. Many believe that this reduction in traffic fatalities mainly had to do with the struggling economy. As residents start to see a turnaround in their finances, more tend to hit the road taking vacations and traveling more overall. With more travelers setting out, we can expect to see an increase in our risks for a fatal accident. As a matter of fact, as 2010 came to a close, the number of accidents shot up, indicating more travelers with a better economy.

In an effort to help to focus in on what is causing most of our accidents on our roadways, the NHTSA has come up with two new measuring sticks to calculate both distraction-related accidents and alcohol-impaired accidents. Distraction-related crashes account for about 25 percent of all crashes on our roadways each year. These statistics are increasing as technology becomes more readily available to drivers. These accidents are completely preventable, but without the proper laws and the proper enforcement they'll continue to plague our streets.

Secondly is the alcohol-related accident measure. This is used to get a closer look into the effect of alcohol-impaired drivers on our roadways. About a third of all accidents are caused by a driver who is under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

In 2009, there were just fewer than 1,300 fatalities on Georgia roadways. That number decreased by less than 50 in the 2010 statistics. This illustrates how dangerous our roadways still are despite the advancements in law enforcement efforts and safe-car technology.

Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says we're making notable progress when it comes to safer roads.

"While we have more work to do to continue to protect American motorists, these numbers show we're making historic progress when it comes to improving safety on our nation's roadways," he said.

According to the Governor's Office of Highway Safety Public Information Unit, law enforcement agencies throughout the state will be combing our roadways for intoxicated drivers from now through the end of the holiday season. During this time, many residents venture out to visit with friends and family members to celebrate the holidays. Many of these celebrations involved alcohol, which is no threat until someone gets behind the wheel after drinking. Officers will be on the lookout for these dangerous intoxicated drivers to help reduce the risks of drunk driving car accidents in Georgia, according to WALB 10.

Even though our state saw more than a 10 percent decrease in the number of impaired driving facilities last year, the truth of the matter is that the risks are still present and increased during the holiday season. Officers throughout the state will be on the hunt for drunk drivers from the 16th of December through the 2nd of January. This is all a part of the yearly driving enforcement effort and is part of the "Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over" campaign.

Our North Georgia wrongful death attorneys understand that officers throughout the state will be practicing their zero tolerance policy. Officials report that if you're pulled over and produce a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of more than 0.08, you will be arrested. Drivers are asked to stay sober behind the wheel not only to avoid a costly arrest, but to avoid a potentially fatal accident.

"Don't let your holiday season end in arrest, or worse, death. It doesn't matter if you're buzzed, had one too many or way too many. It's just not worth the risk." said GOHS Director Harris Blackwood.

In December of 2009, there were nearly 800 people killed in drunk driving accidents in the U.S.

The drunk driving enforcement effort is all a part of the nationwide effort to hunt down these dangerous drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving accidents account for about one out of every three fatal car accidents in the country.

"This holiday season, we're stepping up our efforts to get drunk drivers off our roads and reminding Americans 'drive sober, or get pulled over,' " said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

In 2010, there were nearly 300 people killed because of drunk driving accidents in Georgia. These accidents accounted for nearly a quarter of all fatal accidents on our roadways.

In 2010, there were nearly 10,500 people killed in the U.S. because of alcohol-related accidents. This number included nearly 420 that happened in the second half of December, during the holiday season.

"There are so many other costs associated with a DUI arrest or conviction -- attorney fees, the court costs, increased insurance premiums," said Cpl. Christopher A. Wright, assistant post commander at Georgia State Patrol.

Earlier this month, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) called for the first-ever nationwide ban on drivers using portable electronic devices at the wheel, according to CBS Atlanta. This recommendation is looking to get all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, to ban the use of these devices, except for in emergencies and for devices that aid safe driving. In addition to the ban, the NTSB asks that all states redesign enforcement efforts to educate and to raise awareness about these dangerous behaviors. The enforcement efforts can be part of the solution to help reduce distraction-related car accidents in Georgia and elsewhere, says the NTSB.

"According to NHTSA, more than 3,000 people lost their lives last year in distraction-related accidents," said National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah Hersman. "No call, no text, no update, is worth a human life."

Our North Georgia car accident attorneys understand that this recommendation comes as a result of a recent meeting where NTSB officials discussed distraction-related accidents in the U.S., specifically a fatal accident in 2010 in Gray Summit, Missouri. In this accident, the 19-year-old driver blamed was making phone calls and sending text messages seconds before the accident.

State law in Missouri says that drivers under the age of 21 cannot text behind the wheel. But Missouri isn't the only state having trouble pushing these laws. Many states make it illegal for drivers to text, but not illegal to talk on the cell phone. Law enforcement officers have a hard time determining if a driver was dialing a phone number, which is oftentimes legal, or sending a text message, which is most times illegal. A federal ban may be the only way to wash out the gray areas of these laws and truly make an attempt at safer driving behaviors.

"Making citizens safer is one of the most important roles of government," said Janet Froetscher, president of the National Safety Council (NSC). "We are hopeful that legislators across the nation will recognize the value of NTSB investigations and recommendations and take the necessary actions proposed by NTSB to make our roadways safer for everyone."

The NSC largely supports the NTSB and its recommendation. According to the council, more than 1 million traffic collisions are caused by distracted drivers each year. These accidents account for one out of every four accidents on our roadways. If drivers aren't willing to take personal safety into their own hands, a federal ban may be the only way to effectively ensure their safety.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Administration, drivers under the age of 18 and school bus drivers in Georgia are prohibited from using a cell phone at the wheel. All drivers in the state are prohibited from text messaging while operating a motor vehicle.

"Needless lives are lost on our highways, and for what? Convenience? Death isn't convenient," Hersman said. "So we can stay more connected? A fatal accident severs that connection."

Whether it be more laws, a full ban or solely driver responsibility, residents are urged to practice safe and alert driving habits behind the wheel to help ensure the safety of everyone on our roadways.

The number of car accidents in Atlanta is expected to increase through the busy holiday season. Chaotic and congested roadways increase the risks significantly for everyone, especially our younger, more inexperienced drivers. The Georgia State Patrol used the Thanksgiving holiday to begin reminding drivers of all ages to make sure safety is a top priority on every car ride.

Each year, the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's holidays substantially increase the risk of car accidents. Before the roadways get too congested, parents are urged to talk with the teen drivers in their life to discuss what they can expect with the holiday traffic and ways to help ensure their safety behind the wheel.

Our North Georgia car accident attorneys understand that the Georgia State Patrol investigated nearly 3,000 accidents, more than 1,000 injuries and more than 10 fatalities during the 2010 Thanksgiving holiday weekend. To say nothing of Christmas and New Year's.

The increase in traffic around the holidays greatly increases a teen driver's risks for a serious accident. Young drivers are urged to be cautious, alert and focused on our roadways at all times, but especially during such a busy holiday. Parents should talk with their young drivers about effective ways to avoid a holiday tragedy on our roadways.

According to Colonel Mark McDonough with the Georgia Department of Public Safety, alcohol-impaired drivers, speedy drivers and those who refuse to wear a seat belt are the top contributors to serious accidents on our roadways.

"Reducing the number of crashes...that's why we patrol - to save lives," said McDonough.

Discuss the following safety tips with your teen driver to help avoid a tragic holiday car accident:

-Shut the phone off. Cell phone use gives a teen driver the same reaction time as a 70-year-old driver. Urge your teen driver to avoid other distractions as well, including eating, playing with the radio and sending text messages.

-Limit the nighttime driving. Teens are twice as likely to get into an accident during the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. as they are during the daytime.

-Keep it solo. Passengers greatly increase your teen driver's risks for an accident.

-Slow it down. More than 40 percent of fatalities among drivers age 15- to 20-years-old reported speeding as a top contribute. Make sure your teen is aware of, and obey, posted speed limits and traffic signals.

-Buckle up! Seats belts can reduce the risks of death by nearly 50 percent.

-No drinking! Even though teens aren't old enough to drink legally, about a quarter of all fatal teen car accidents are caused by drunk teen driver.

The highest number of traffic accident fatalities that was ever recorded for the Thanksgiving holiday period was 43 in 1969. The lowest number every recorded was four in 1949.

A 21-year-old sanitation worker was recently injured as he was riding on the back of a garbage truck when an SUV slammed into that back of it on just north of Thomson Road on South Houston Lake Road, according to The Sun News. The young worker was pinned between the two vehicles and emergency responders amputated his leg on scene. The sanitation worker and the driver of that SUV were transported to The Medical Center of Central Georgia. The truck was owned by Centerville Sanitation, which is a private company that is employed by the city of Centerville.

The Georgia work accident happened shortly after 6:00 a.m. Officials are still investigating that crash.

Our workers compensation attorneys understand that garbage truck workers are at an extremely high risk for accidents. As a matter of fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the solid waste collection industry continues to have the 5th highest fatality rate in the United States. These jobs have not only increased in numbers, but have increased in the levels of danger as well. It's estimated that roughly 60 employees die in this occupation every year.

In the U.S., the general public does not often appreciate the important role that these workers play in our everyday lives. These jobs are not only necessary, but they're demanding, difficult and dangerous as well. Unfortunately, they're also thankless most of the time, too. Car accidents are already responsible for more than half of all work-related accidents in the United States. Sanitation workers should consult an experienced workers' compensation firm if involved in an accident.

These workers have to work early hours in dangerous conditions. They're required to maneuver large vehicles, lift heavy loads, operate the dangerous compacting machinery and handle dangerous waste materials. The risk of an accident with a motor vehicle is always present. The accidents these workers face are high in number and commonly catastrophic in nature.

To help avoid injuries, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that workers and employers take the following steps:

-All drivers and collectors must be trained to remain aware of the hazardous areas around a refuse-collection vehicle.

-Workers whose responsibility is to the pick up the garbage should ride inside the cab of the vehicle when traveling to or between collection routes rather than on the side steps of the truck.

-Workers should only ride on the steps when moving forward for a short distance and when traveling under 10 miles per hour.

-Drivers should keep on-foot workers in sight at all times.

-All workers should wear safety equipment, including slip-resistant footwear, protective eye wear and highly visible colored clothing.

"It's vital that Americans become aware of the dangers that such situations cause to the men and women working on and around the nearly 135,000 garbage trucks operating on U.S. streets. We must prevent the resulting accidents and injuries," said NSWMA Safety Director David Biderman.