Ohio bill proposes harsh penalty for wrong-way drivers

A vote on a proposed new bill that would increase penalties for wrong-way drivers was recently postponed because some legislators felt it was extreme.

2013-03-21

March 21, 2013 (Press-News.org) Ohio bill proposes harsh penalty for wrong-way drivers

A vote on a proposed new bill that would increase penalties for wrong-way drivers was recently postponed because some legislators felt it was extreme. The provision causing controversy is one that imposes a one-year mandatory license suspension for any driver traveling more than 500 feet in the wrong direction. An additional such violation results in one year in jail.

If death or serious injuries result from the wrong-way driving, the license suspension period increases to between two to 10 years. Subsequent violations are classified as third-degree felonies with a potential three year prison sentence.

Negative reactions to the proposed bill

The current penalty in Ohio for wrong-way driving is a fine of $150 and points against a driver's license. Some legislators feel the penalties in the proposed bill are too severe, noting that current law already imposes higher penalties for drivers who kill or injure others, while this law punishes drivers who are not impaired.

One senator conceded that wrong-way driving is "foolish, stupid and negligent" but pointed out the difficulties produced by a license suspension. Drivers with suspended licenses may lose their jobs because they cannot get to work, making it difficult for them to support their families.

Implications for reducing car accidents

According to current data, Ohio reported 32 wrong-way crashes resulting in five deaths in 2011. Additionally, two wrong-way crashes in two weeks claimed six lives early in 2012 and prompted the proposed bill.

Supporters of the bill say it is understandable for drivers to accidentally make wrong turns or go the wrong way down a one-way street, but they note that anyone who travels a significant distance in the wrong direction is a different story.

Supporters of the bill hope that increasing penalties for wrong-way driving will result in a reduction of car accidents due to inattentive driving. The bill was will be scheduled for an additional hearing.

A car accident carries serious consequences; individuals often experience difficulty dealing with the multitude of complications resulting from an accident due to someone else's negligence.

An individual who suffers injuries in a car accident can benefit from an experienced personal injury attorney. The attorney can offer advice on what to do after the accident and assist with obtaining possible compensation for both past and future damages.

Article provided by Rittgers & Rittgers
Visit us at www.rittgersinjurylaw.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

California bill would broaden teenage distracted driving law

2013-03-21

California bill would broaden teenage distracted driving law In California, it is currently illegal for drivers younger than 18 to use a hand-held or hands-free cellphones while behind the wheel. Also, texting while driving is prohibited for drivers of all ages. However, one lawmaker thinks that the current distracted driving laws do not go far enough, particularly for teenagers. The lawmaker, Sen. Cathleen Galgiani, believes that the current distracted driving law must be changed to keep up with emerging mobile technology. As a result, Galgiani recently proposed ...

Webbing While Driving May Be Newest Distracted Driving Threat

2013-03-21

Webbing While Driving May Be Newest Distracted Driving Threat In recent years, distracted driving has emerged as a significant threat on our nation's highways. Experts agree that the primary factor contributing to the increase in distracted driving is the widespread adoption of cell phones and Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. Indeed, although cell phone technology has made it easier for commuters to communicate with loved ones and travelers to reach their destinations, it has also fed individuals' needs to be connected at all times, even behind the wheel. Unfortunately, ...

Nursing home abuse: the shocking case of Momence Meadows

2013-03-21

Nursing home abuse: the shocking case of Momence Meadows We all hope for the best as our loved ones age -- that the last years of life will be an experience of grace, dignity and respect. Most people hope to keep their family members at home, but sometimes institutional care like that available in nursing homes is necessary when medical conditions become too severe for untrained relatives to handle. Federal and state laws and regulations set out specific, detailed standards for nursing home staffing, medical treatment, nutrition, safety, cleanliness and more. You ...

Supreme Court decision expands use of drug sniffing dogs

2013-03-21

Supreme Court decision expands use of drug sniffing dogs The Supreme Court of the United States recently ruled that drug sniffing dogs can provide the probable cause needed to allow a police officer to conduct a search. The ruling was based on a contentious case involving a routine traffic stop and a drug sniffing dog in Florida. In its decision, the court focused on reasonableness. In order to make a ruling, the court discussed whether a reasonable person would think a search justified by a drug sniffing dog's alert could result in the finding of drugs. The answer ...

Work zones remain dangerous for construction workers

2013-03-21

Work zones remain dangerous for construction workers There are many active road construction projects currently underway in and around Denver, and this number will only increase as the weather improves. For many motorists, this only adds to the stress of their daily commutes. However, for construction workers, the increase in projects means that their skills will be in high demand. Unfortunately, many of these workers are injured in construction accidents at these job sites. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 20,000 road construction workers ...

ThinkHR and TLNT.com Partner to Deliver Answers to Human Resources Questions

2013-03-21

ThinkHR, the national leader in providing businesses with expert HR guidance, today announced a strategic partnership with TLNT.com, a popular HR and talent management website that publishes daily expert advice and resources on topics including talent management, recruiting, training and employee benefits. Through the partnership, ThinkHR will provide TLNT.com readers with professional answers to complex human resources question through an embedded Q&A portal powered by an in-house team of specialized HR professionals. Through this dynamic relationship, TLNT readers ...

CREAX Launches, PatentInspiration, a Free Online Patent Search and Analysis Tool

2013-03-21

CREAX launches a free online patent search and analysis tool which is called PatentInspiration. Since 2000, CREAX is developing software, training and services for empowering technology driven companies in their innovation projects. Over the years, CREAX has developed widely used free tools and databases such as http://www.moreinspiration.com (an innovation database), http://function.creax.com (an engineering brainstorm tool) and http://csa.creax.com (a popular creativity test). Access to existing knowledge worldwide, makes R&D faster, more cost-effective and stimulates ...

Rip Media Group Marketing Video and Whiteboard Animation Division Releases Infographic

2013-03-21

Rip Media Group a leader in corporate whiteboard animation, motion graphic animation, explainer videos and demo video, has released a new information graphic for marketing directors and entrepreneurs needing to create their corporate story. Whiteboard animations and 2D animation are the fastest growing method for communicating information about your product or service. Rip Media has created more than 150 of these marketing videos, ads, and produces feature films. "The desire to deliver a core message is the most important aspect of the video, and our clients ...

Elle Marie Announces Elle-gant Gowns Prom Dress Drive

2013-03-21

Are old prom, homecoming and tolo dresses taking up space in your closet? Elle Marie Hair Studio can help! Now through April 14th, Elle Marie is collecting dresses for distribution to various schools throughout Snohomish County. To show their appreciation, the salon is offering $10 in Elle Marie Beauty Bucks to each guest that makes a donation. "Every young lady deserves the chance to go to a formal dance and feel beautiful without having to worry about the money they might not have for the dress." says Alderwood Studio Coordinator Brooke Undseth. "If ...

People in Their Thousands are Due to Flock to the V&A Museum This Weekend for the Record-Breaking David Bowie Exhibition

2013-03-21

With more than 42,000 advance tickets sold for the David Bowie retrospective, opening this Saturday at London's V&A Museum, records have been broken as the event has become the fastest-selling in the museum's history. 'David Bowie Is' will treat visitors to a close look at sixty flamboyant costumes worn by the pop icon, along with more than 300 other objects such as lyrics, instruments photographs and videos. Visitors travelling from outside of London to the exhibition can conveniently book accommodation through LondonTown.com, where a vast range of hotels in London ...

Ohio bill proposes harsh penalty for wrong-way drivers

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: