It has been widely acknowledged that driving while using a cell phone is risky behavior that significantly increases the chances of an auto accident. However, while the use of a cell phone creates a major distraction, the phone itself may not be the only explanation for more accidents occurring.

A 2012 study of 108 Boston area drivers conducted by MIT researchers revealed some important information about drivers who tend to talk on their phones as they drive. Our Boston, MA accident lawyers understand drivers who use cell phones were also more likely to engage in other unsafe driving behavior.

Drivers Who use Cell Phones More Likely to be Dangerous Drivers
According to Boston.com, an MIT study of more than 108 drivers in Boston and surrounding areas revealed that approximately half of the drivers admitted to frequently using their phones when they were driving. The rest of the drivers in the study said that they rarely used their phones at all when operating a vehicle.

The MIT researchers studied the driving behavior of each of the 108 drivers participating in the survey. None of the drivers used their phones at the time when the test was going on. Yet, it turned out that many of those who reported frequently using their phones were doing some other dangerous things. For example, those who frequently used their phones also:

• Drove faster than the other drivers who rarely used their phones
• Drove in the far left lane for longer periods of time than the other drivers
• Changed lanes more frequently
• Accelerated rapidly more often than the other drivers
• Were more apt to slam on the brakes than the other drivers

In other words, those who were more likely to talk on their cell phones were also much more likely to engage in aggressive and dangerous driving behaviors.

Based on the results of the study, the associate director of MIT's New England University Transportation Center indicated that drivers who used their cell phones more often were also drivers who tended to be higher-risk in general, independent of the issue of distracted driving.

These study results could indicate that it is the driver's personality that plays the biggest role in whether or not an accident will occur. A driver who is more likely to engage in risky behavior will also be more likely to engage in the dangerous practice of using his phone.

Unfortunately, these results show that a widespread ban on the use of cell phones may not reduce the risk of auto accidents as much as legislatures and experts have hoped. While such a ban can be an important step in the right direction of making roads safer, other measures also need to be taken including providing driver training to warn about other bad driving behaviors.

The president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also indicated that cell phone restrictions had provided few of the expected benefits and that there had been no notable increase in crashes as cell phones became more popular. This data, too, suggests that the most important thing is helping every single driver to recognize and avoid unnecessary driving risk.

If you've been injured, call 1-800-WIN-WIN-1 for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone.

On February 3, 2013, 42 people were on a bus heading back to Philadelphia after a trip to visit Harvard University. Passengers included both students and chaperones. Unfortunately, the driver in the bus accident made a dangerous decision that led to a serious accident.

Our Boston bus accident lawyers believe that this serious bus accident serves as an important reminder to bus drivers everywhere that they must exhibit a reasonable degree of care when they are operating their vehicles. Those chartering buses should also be careful to do their research and to make sure the bus company has a good reputation for safety.

The Boston Bus Accident
The February 3 Boston bus accident, reported by NPR, occurred after the driver failed to pay attention to Maximum Height signs that were located on the road. The signs indicated that no vehicles more than 10 feet high would have clearance. The bus, however, was more than 10 feet high. The driver failed to deviate from his route despite the warning that the bus wouldn't fit.

Unfortunately, when the bus reached Soldier's Field Road, it hit the overpass that prevented clearance of vehicles taller than 10 feet. The center front section of the roof of the bus was crushed inwards and severe damage was sustained to the bus. The passengers were, unfortunately, trapped inside of the vehicle. For more than one hour, rescue workers attempted to remove the passengers inside through the top of the vehicle.

More than 30 people in total were injured in the crash, including students and chaperones. Everyone was stranded on the bus for almost two hours and some sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of the crash.

Protecting Yourself from Boston Bus Accidents
Unfortunately, this tragic Boston bus accident likely could have been prevented if the driver of the vehicle had simply paid proper attention and obeyed the road signs warning of the impending danger. The driver's failure to follow the signs was the direct cause of at least 30 injuries. Bus drivers must exercise reasonable care, must pay attention to road signs at all times and must make smart choices that keep their passengers safe in order to avoid accidents like this one.

Those chartering a bus, however, can also take some steps to do their part to ensure their own safety. One of the most important things that passengers can do before chartering a bus is to take advantage of the resources provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has an entire section of its website dedicated to safely chartering a bus. The site includes a safety checklist; tips for picking a safe company and information on how to obtain the safety records of charter bus companies that you are considering working with.

Before you charter a bus for your next trip or special event, you should consult with the FMCSA to determine if the bus company you are considering has a satisfactory rating. If the company does not and its rating is conditional instead, this means the company has had some safety violations. Hiring a bus company with past safety violations is not a chance you want to take.

If you've been injured, call 1-800-WIN-WIN-1 for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone.