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     A hidden threat to anyone buying a used car are missing air bags.  A recent editorial in the L.A. Times outlines the problems.  Cars previously invovled in accidents where air bags deployed are later sold without the air bags being replaced. This problem led to 51 fatalities in 2010. 

    A word to the wise:   If you are buying a used car, investigate to make sure that the air bags are still in the vehicle.  Companies, such as CA ...

     The U.S. Department of Transportation recently announced that the number of traffic fatalities in 2010 fell to the lowest level since 1949, despite the significant increase in the number of miles Americans drove.  According the NHTSA projections, traffic fatalities will be down 3 percent from 2009, and 25%  from 2005.  Many factors are believed to have contributed to the decrease, including greater safety features in cars, and changes in road design tha ...

     Two recent fatal crashes have prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to reissue a Caution regarding 15 passenger vans . The two recent crashes, in New York and Georgia, resulted in 10 deaths .  The NHTSA caution warns that tire maintenance is particularly important for large vans, and that the tires need to be the appropriate size.  The NHTSA also provided the following safety tips :

- Make sure the vehicle is properly maintained;

- Make sure ...

     Drivers talking or texting on hand held phones are quickly becoming a primary target of the CHP.  In fact, the CHP recently acknowledged that they have created special enforcement units with the specific task of ticketing violators.  A recent CHP unit targeting Interstate 10 in Los Angeles County issued over 70 citations on one day for using cell phones while behind the wheel.  CHP spokesman Mario Lopez indicated that these special enforcement efforts a ...

     Two common question about Automobile Insurance Policies in California are: " What is Med Pay?" and "What does Med Pay cover?"   These questions ofter arise after an auto accident .

    Med Pay is a provision in an automobile insurance policy whereby the Insurance Company will pay for medical expenses incurred in an accident irrespective of fault.  A typical auto policy has a $5,000 or $10,000 limit for Med Pay coverage.  If you are in a ...

      Dr. Raul Coimbra is the chief of trauma, surgical care, for the UC San Diego health care system.  Dr. Coimbra sees the devastating impact of unsafe driving every day .  An article in today's San Diego Union interviews Dr. Coimbra and provides a really good wake up call for any driver that even thinks about driving and texting.

     We all know that driving after drinking is dangerous and not smart.  In addition to the danger of causing an accident or injury, the costs associated with arrest and conviction for driving under the influence are substantial.  A new study released today suggest that your risk of arrest for a DUI is greater in San Diego than in most cities .  According to the San Diego Union Tribune, the study indicates that San Diego ranks number 1 when it comes to the l ...

     The topic of distracted driving has gone national.  The Obama administration convened their second summit on distracted driving yesterday in Washington, D.C.  The purpose of the summit was to come up with additional ideas to make sure that, in this era of PDA's, Smart Phones, and portable laptops, that drivers keep their eyes on the road.   The summit brought together government leaders, safety advocates, family members of victims, and business groups.&n ...

     The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced last week that traffic deaths in the United States have fallen to their lowest level in 60 years .  The 33,808 deaths represented a 9.7 decline from 2008.  The number of injuries were also significantly reduced, down from 2.35 million in 2008 to 2.22 million in 2009.  The NHTSA reported that fatalities have dropped for seven years in a row .  A number of factors were attributed to the decli ...

     On Saturday night, I went to dinner with my family in the Gaslamp section of downtown San Diego .  We had a very nice meal at Pan e Vino .  The San Diego Police are known to heavily patrol downtown San Diego, especially on a Saturday night.  Aware of this, I made sure not to drink any alcohol at dinner.  I have heard many stories of people arrested on suspected DUI after drinking very little alcohol.  Many times an arrest will take place if ther ...