Red light cameras (RLCs) have popped up all over the country, including Maryland. No longer do police officers have to sit at intersections and wait for people to blaze through -- a camera mounted at the intersection does all the work, monitoring traffic 24 hours a day, taking pictures of violators and passing them along to the ticketing department, who mail out the violations. Cities argue that they make intersections safer and more efficient, not to mention profitable. However, a recent study by the Maryland Department of Transportation complicates this picture, suggesting that in some cases red light cameras can actually lead to an increase in rear-end collisions.
Red light cameras may increase rear-end collisions
Road cycling and the Race Across America
One of the hardest races on earth just finished in Maryland. The Race Across America is a bicycle race that starts in Oceanside, CA and ends in Annapolis 12 days later. This grueling journey pushes cyclists to the very limits of their endurance, requiring that they ride for 20 hours a day -- or more -- as they cover 3,100 miles from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. Most of these miles are spent on rural highways, where motorists often aren’t expecting to see them. While most people won’t replicate their amazing feat, cyclists who frequent rural areas would do well to follow the same safety guidelines.
Workplace injuries can be life-changing
In labor intensive jobs it can feel like injuries are a part of life. While heavy equipment and manual labor are more suited to injury than stationary work, the fact is that many injuries are avoidable with the right training and equipment, regardless what type of work you do. It’s an employer’s job to make your workplace as safe as it can be, in all fields of employment.
4 driving tips for the 4th of July
The most dangerous day of the year to be on the road in Maryland isn't New Year's -- it's the Fourth of July. There are several reasons for this, including the prevalence of alcohol and the fact that many people are driving at night after fireworks. Compounding this danger is the fact that a record number of Marylanders are expected to travel this year -- nearly one million people, most of whom will be driving. That's an incredible burden on the roads and a unique safety risk. Following these simple tips will keep you and your family safe on this driving-intensive holiday.
Baltimore County crash kills two
Even non-fatal car accidents can turn deadly, as in the case of two Marylanders whose car crashed near Ruxton Road on June 24. Despite surviving the initial crash, they lost their lives when another car hit them and their disabled vehicle, killing them both. The Baltimore Sun reports that the police are still considering charges against the other driver, pending the outcome of their investigation.
Summer brings safety risks to Maryland pedestrians and bikers
Memorial Day has come and gone and summer has officially arrived in Maryland. We are all itching to get out of doors and take advantage of the season. Naturally, our sidewalks and public areas are teeming with people of all ages and abilities out there walking, running, playing and biking, whether using training wheels, three-wheeled bikes, regular bicycles or racers. Also out and about are more wheelchairs and strollers as well as users of walkers and canes.
This increase in human activity means that Maryland motorists must take care to drive reasonably for the surroundings and conditions and to comply with traffic laws. More people are around. Seniors and those with disabilities may be slower and children may unexpectedly dart out.
How a Maryland injury lawyer can help motorcycle-crash victims
At our law firm, we represent motorcyclists who have been injured in accidents involving bigger, heavier, closed vehicles like cars, SUVs, vans, pickups, buses and commercial trucks. We also fight for compensation for the surviving loved ones of motorcycle drivers and riders killed on the road because of the negligence or recklessness of other drivers or parties.
Far-reaching investigation
Maryland Workers’ Compensation: Going-and-coming rule
Broadly, injuries that occur during a normal commute to work are normally not covered by Maryland Workers’ Compensation, unless a special exception applies. This concept is called the going-and coming rule.
The highest court in Maryland, the Court of Appeals, handed down an opinion on May 21 that sheds light on the special mission or errand exception to the rule.
Nanoparticles are a new workplace safety concern
Nanoscience is a new field of specialty involving engineered particles that are almost too tiny to imagine. All over the Internet, they are touted as being much smaller than the width of a human hair.
In the natural world, materials on the nano scale include volcanic ash and soot.
Maryland governor signs two worker-friendly bills
Last month, we wrote about two bills that awaited review on Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s desk. We now know that he decided to sign both into law, a positive sign for state workers.
The correctional-officer Workers’ Compensation bill
