Important Highlights from the 2012 NHTSA Traffic Accident Data

In case you missed it, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently released its Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data for the year 2012. The latest statistics from the public health and safety agency showed a 3.3 percent increase in its accident fatalities, from 32,479 in 2011 to 33,561. This is the first time since 2005 wherein traffic fatalities saw a year-to-year increase, when there were 43,510 deaths.

Also, this latest data came after six consecutive years of significant decline in the number of accident deaths, with the 2011 totals being the lowest since 1949. The 33,561 deaths were close to the projected 34,080 motor vehicle crash deaths that the NHTSA initiallyprojected earlier this year. The data for the said initial projection can be found here.

How Can Rockslide Cause Traffic and Danger to Motorists

Every day, there are many hazards that you have to face. That is why it is so difficult to avoid accidents on the road. Every year, hundreds of thousands of incidences of motor vehicle crashes happen, causing injuries to people, damage to property, and even death to some. There are many reasons as to why these crashes happen. While driver error remains as the top contributor to these mishaps from happening, external factors like road conditions can also get one involved in an accident.

Rock Slide Causes Traffic Mess in Malibu

Last weekend, boulders fell from a mountain, blocking lanes of the Malibu Canyon Road at Las Virgenes Road. Rockslides caused huge chunks of heavy rocks to fall on the road. This has led to the closure of the busy road for many hours. The incident led to gridlocks on the roads near the area. More than that, things like this could have fallen onto someone driving by the area. A Los Angeles Injury Attorneys that has handled many similar cases shared that such events unnecessarily put the lives of a lot of people in danger. In a way, he believes that the government through its implementing agencies should assume great responsibility in making sure that these accidents won’t happen. This way, they would be able to protect and ensure the safety of every American on the road.

Death by a Pet: The Deadliest Animals in the US

Americans are animal-loving people. A lot of American families have their own dogs, cats and many different kinds of pets. Some are more common kinds of animals while others are a little too exotic. However, one must remember that animals, no matter how domesticated are them has this tendency to go wild and go attacking people, including yourself. Contrary to what others believe, there are a lot of reasons as to why animals do attack people. One of the most common reasons why animals do that is because they feel threatened. Once that happens, animals hit back on people causing injuries. So what are the animals that attacked humans the most in the US? Here is a list from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of the fatalities caused by animals from 1999 to 2007.

•          Crocodiles and alligators.
  Crocodiles and alligators are known to attack any animal that they see or get in contact with when they are hungry. Also, if they feel threatened, these reptiles go and attack people to defend themselves. In that 8-year period, 9 deaths have been recorded.

•          Marine animals.
  Animals from under the sea are rather tame. However, there are certain breeds like piranhas, sharks, and others that have this tendency to attack and try to eat other animals that they think they can easily overpower. Humans are just some of those common subjects of those attacks. From 1999-2007, 8 deaths were reported.

•          Lizards and snakes.
  Some lizards and snakes have venoms that they use to protect themselves when they feel threatened. The same is also used to animals they want to immobilize and eat. 59 people died according to the CDC from that 8-year period.

•           Arthropods.
  In American rainforests, arthropods save for spiders, scorpions, centipedes,

•          Other animals.
  Non venomous animals like reptiles and other animals also have contributed to the number have caused a total of 462 deaths.

How Motorists Can Help Law Enforcement Officials Keep Bad Elements Off The Road

It is not every day that you meet hard-working and honest government workers. Although there are still good employees of the government, no one can deny their scarcity. That is why when one of these kinds pass away, people cannot help but be sad about it. Such is the pain that the people of Laguna Beach California are experiencing as 42-year-old motorcycle officer Jon Coutchie passed away.

Tragic death while in the line of duty

A couple of days ago, one speeding vehicle have eluded one Laguna Beach officer. Coutchie, who was then going northbound on South Coast Highway was then tasked to locate the vehicle. However, while doing his work, he suddenly figured in a collision with a Chevrolet pickup truck as he attempted to make a turn. Coutchie died at the scene. According to a Motorcycle Accidents Attorneys, this is the first death of an on-duty Laguna Beach officer in 60 years or since 1953.

A true servant of the nation

Coutchie has been in the service for a long time now. The Tucson Arzona-born and Orange County, California-raised officer was a graduate of the Laguna Hills High School. During his younger years, Coutchie has spent four years in the military service as an Army Ranger. He then enlisted after the September 11 attacks where he completed tours of duty in dangerous Arabic countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. He then joined the Laguna Beach Police Department in 2009.

Public mourning

Coutchie is one of the revered Laguna Beach officer that is why his death has caused mourning all throughout the community. In fact, people from the area held a large motorcade in honor of the fallen officer. Officials joined the procession as police accompanied the body of Coutchie from the coroner’s office to the mortuary. A public viewing is being held at the mortuary while a funeral service was scheduled soon.