What is 4 times as Likely to Be Involved in a Car Crash?

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

1 in 3 EXCUSES used AFTER THE ACCIDENT are.... "I do this all the time, I'm used to it"!

Drivers talking on hand-HELD or hands-FREE cell phones are 4 times as likely to be involved in a car crash.

Even though the facts are clear, cell phone users continue to talk and drive…without a complete understanding of how this seemingly simple act risks lives – yours, your passengers, your fellow motorists and unsuspecting pedestrians.

Myth #1: Drivers can multitask.

Reality: Contrary to popular belief, the human brain cannot multitask. Driving and talking on a cell phone are two thinking tasks that involve many areas of the brain. Instead of processing both simultaneously the brain rapidly switches between two cognitive activities. This is in contrast to walking and chewing gum, a thinking task and a non-thinking task, which can usually be accomplished at the same time with little effort.

Myth #2: Talking to someone on a cell phone is no different than talking to someone in the car.

Reality: A 2008 study cited by the University of Utah found that drivers distracted by cell phones are more oblivious to changing traffic conditions because they are the only ones in the conversation who are aware of the road. In contrast, drivers with adult passengers in their cars have an extra set of eyes and ears to help keep the drivers alert to oncoming traffic problems. Adult passengers also tend to adjust their talking when traffic is challenging; people on the other end of a driver’s cell phone cannot do that.

Myth #3: Hands-free devices eliminate the danger of cell phone use during driving.

Reality: Whether handheld or hands-free, cell phone conversations while driving are risky because the distraction to the brain remains. Activity in the parietal lobe, the area of the brain that processes movement of visual images and is important for safe driving, decreases by as much as 37% when listening to language, according to a study by Carnegie Mellon University. Drivers talking on cell phones can miss seeing up to 50% of their driving environments, including pedestrians and red lights. They look but they don’t see. This phenomenon is also known as “inattention blindness.”

Myth #4: Drivers talking on cell phones still have a quicker reaction time than those who are driving under the influence.

Reality:  A controlled driving simulator study conducted by the University of Utah found that drivers using cell phones had slower reaction times than drivers with a .08 blood alcohol content, the legal intoxication limit. There is a simple solution – drivers talking on cell phones can immediately eliminate their risk by hanging up the phone, while drunk drivers remain at risk until they sober up.

Source....seabee

Stay Safe Out There - If You Need Help just Give Me a Call!
To schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you, contact Beverly Hills DUI Attorney Jonathan Franklin today.

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Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600   
 http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com

Federal Class Action Lawsuit Against Ford, Defects in Dashboard Infotainment System, MyFord Touch

Newsflash from your Hollywood Attorney:

A federal class action has been filed this week against FordMotor Co. in connection with alleged defects in the MyFord Touch dashboard infotainment systems that are found in Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.

The action was filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by leading consumer class action law firm of Grant & Eisenhofer P.A., and other firms.

The suit, brought by the Center for Defensive Driving, a nonprofit educator based in Torrance, Calif., seeks compensatory relief on behalf of a proposed class of purchasers and lessees of Ford vehicles equipped with MyFord Touch systems, excluding those who have personal injury claims resulting from the defect in the systems. Introduced to Ford vehicles in 2010, the MyFord Touch (called "MyLincoln Touch," or "MyMercury Touch" in Lincoln and Mercury cars) is Ford's LCD dashboard interface which allows the vehicle owner to operate the vehicle's audio systems, GPS navigation, climate systems, as well as a Bluetooth enabled mobile device. The MyFord Touch also allows operation of certain safety systems in the vehicle, such as collision detection that subsequently dials 9-1-1 to connect the vehicle to an emergency services provider.

The Center for Defensive Driving contends that it leased a 2013 Ford F-150 Lariat equipped with a MyFord Touch system, which suffered from numerous problems, including:  System lockup and total system failure; periodic non-responsiveness to peripheral devices (such as MP3 players and smartphones); and periodic non-responsiveness to voice commands.  The plaintiff alleges that between Feb. 22 and July 1 of this year, the F-150's MyFord Touch unit has failed or locked up on no fewer than 27 separate occasions.

The plaintiff's complaint alleges that Ford vehicles equipped with the systems have been plagued with serious defects, and many of the features advertised as part of the system often fail to perform. One example recounted in the complaint is the MyFord Touch screen will simply turn off while using certain features, such as the GPS navigation technology, then turn back on, and when it does, it states that it is "performing scheduled system maintenance"; however, it is not performing maintenance, but simply malfunctioning.  The complaint also points out that certain crucial vehicle functions, including the defroster and the rear-view camera are routed through and controlled by MyFord Touch, and become inoperable when the system crashes, creating dangerous situations and possible collisions.

The suit contends that the plaintiff's experiences are by no means isolated – and that the internet is replete with examples of blogs and other websites where consumers have complained of the same defect within their Ford vehicles. The complaint details similar complaints by consumers posted on a database maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It also points to a website, titled "syncsucks.com," which lists the "most common Sync/MyFord Touch issues." In addition to the screen and the back-up camera black outs, the site notes instances where music randomly starts playing while using the phone, repeated disconnection of the USB iPod, and repeated failure to recognize Sirius satellite radio subscription. Further chronicling of MyFord Touch problems can be seen on a site called http://fordsyncproblems.com/, created by a consumer in response to "Ford's inability to resolve issues with my newly purchased 2012 Ford Escape" as well as several other websites.

The complaint notes that Ford's problems with the MyFord Touch system has led to its loss of standing with consumer reporting organizations. J.D. Power & Associates "Initial Quality Study," which examines vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership, ranked Ford fifth place in 2010, the last year before rolling out the MyFord Touch system. In 2011, after the rollout, Ford plummeted to 23rd place in the same survey – and the primary driver in Ford's descent, according to a J.D. Power & Associates executive, was the MyFord Touch system. Consumer Reports also recommended that no consumer purchase Ford vehicles that are equipped with MyFord Touch.

The Center for Defensive Driving, individually and on behalf of all other class members, seeks compensatory damages for defective systems.  Plaintiff also seeks injunctive relief, requesting that Ford institute a recall or free replacement program.

Read More.... http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumer-class-action-brought-against-ford-alleging-defects-in-its-dashboard-infotainment-system-myford-touch-215753651.html

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Law Offices of Jonathan Franklin
Open Evenings and Weekends this Summer
Call Us Now (310) 273-9600   
 http://www.jonathanfranklinlaw.com