There is an old slogan that usually pops up in the beginning of September: “School’s Open — Drive Carefully.” However, there are many drivers who ignore that message once the school year begins. Despite laws that punish motorists who fail to stop for stopped school buses, obey the speed limit in school zones or wait for children to cross the street, the problem still exists.

Ira Slavit, Partner, Levine & Slavit PLLC, a personal injury attorney and a road safety advocate, is urging motorists to be mindful of how they drive once school is back in session. “Many people are on the roads, not aware that the school year has begun,” he said. “Speeding through a school zone and passing a stopped school bus can have tragic results.”

In New York State, it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus, but, according to the state’s Transportation Department, nearly 50,000 motor vehicles pass stopped school buses every day. First-time offenders may face a fine between $250 and $400 and/or up to 30 days in jail. Those who commit the infraction a second time may be fined between $600 and $750 and/or up to 180 days in jail. For a third or subsequent offense within three years, fines can range from $750 to $1,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail.

Further, the Department of Pupil Transportation, which is part of the state’s Education Department, reported that children ages 4 to 8 (grades K-3) are the most susceptible to being fatally struck by a motor vehicle. Although this age group makes up less than 35% of the student population, 69% were involved in these fatalities.

“The height of these children may prevent the driver from seeing them over their own vehicles,” Mr. Slavit says. “I urge everyone to drive slowly when approaching a school bus, stop when the lights are flashing and wait until the red lights have stopped flashing. Let’s not have the school year begin with a tragedy.”

For more information on Levine & Slavit, visit www.newyorkinjuries.com.

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* Photo of Mr. Slavit is attached.

About Levine & Slavit PLLC

Levine & Slavit PLLC is a third-generation personal injury firm serving Long Island and the greater New York City area. Its attorneys handle cases such as auto accidents, slip and fall injuries, medical malpractice, wrongful death and products lability. The firm strives to obtain just recovery for its personal injury clients, whether for long-term or short-term needs, and works hard to ensure that its clients are not burdened with costly medical bills as a result of someone else’s action or inaction. For more information, visit www.newyorkinjuries.com.

Now that it is the middle of summer, the risk for reckless driving — especially drunk driving — has become more prevalent. According to the Institute for Traffic Safety, 31% of all motor vehicle fatalities were the result of drunk driving.

In response to these preventable deaths, the New York State Legislature is planning to reintroduce legislation next year that would lower the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels for drunk driving and aggravated drunk driving. But Ira Slavit, Partner, Levine & Slavit PLLC, says the elected officials in Albany should address the issue this year before more drivers are killed on the road.

Earlier this year, two separate bills were introduced — one in the Assembly by Jo Anne Simon (D-Brooklyn) and the other in the Senate by John C. Liu (D-Bayside) — that would lower the BAC levels from 0.08 to 0.05 for drunk driving and from 0.18 to 0.12 for aggravated drunk driving. Both versions of the bill are currently in committee. Both chambers of the state Legislature have introduced these pieces of legislation in the past but, unfortunately, they have also been stuck in committee.

“Next year is too late to address this serious issue,” Mr. Slavit said. “Too many lives have been lost as a result of drunk driving. What they should do is call an emergency session to bring this to a vote and pass it so it reaches the governor’s desk as quickly as possible. Utah already lowered the BAC levels and, within a year, fatal alcohol-related crashes went down 20%. New York should follow suit, but they shouldn’t wait to do so.”

For more information on Levine & Slavit, visit www.newyorkinjuries.com.

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* Photo of Mr. Slavit is attached.

About Levine & Slavit PLLC

Levine & Slavit PLLC is a third-generation personal injury firm serving Long Island and the greater New York City area. Its attorneys handle cases such as auto accidents, slip and fall injuries, medical malpractice, wrongful death and products lability. The firm strives to obtain just recovery for its personal injury clients, whether for long-term or short-term needs, and works hard to ensure that its clients are not burdened with costly medical bills as a result of someone else’s action or inaction. For more information, visit www.newyorkinjuries.com.