Latest news with #Hands-FreeLaw
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Downtown ride honors nearly 400 Iowa cyclists injured, killed in last year
DES MOINES, Iowa — The 21st Ride of Silence brought together cyclists who honored the 395 injured or killed cyclists in Iowa over the past year. The ride originated in Texas but was brought to Iowa by several organizations that saw a need to honor the individuals involved in cycling accidents each year and raise awareness for needed safety regulations. Since the 2024 Ride of Silence, 395 cyclists have been involved in an accident while on the road, sidewalk, and even trails. This resulted in six deaths since last year's ride. More big checks from Des Moines' Big Grove Brewery 'It's a pretty powerful event. We've had folks show up to the ride. Where like, there's a guy killed a couple of weeks before they've been riding together. We get people on tandems and get hit and one doesn't survive. It's emotional, you're riding in memory of somebody. We've all been cycling enough, pretty much we've all come here, we all know somebody who's not here with us anymore because they've got hit,' said Scott Sumpter. Sumpter, the founder of BikeIowa, says he hopes the organization's recent efforts in legislation, including the Hands-Free Law passing, will lower the number of injuries. 'We've got the Hands-Free law coming in July, which a lot of our cyclists get hit from behind. A lot of our injuries or fatalities are from people who are distracted, either with their phone or car stuff, or food in the car. A dog, got somebody last year, it was in somebody's lap. But its, it's getting better,' said Sumpter. BikeIowa and other cycling organizations are now working on getting the Safe Passing Bill through the Iowa legislature. The bill proposes that a car should be required to fully change lanes when passing a bicycle, treating them like another car on the road. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
New data shows decrease in deadly crashes in Colorado so far this year
The Colorado Department of Transportation says fatal crashes across Colorado are going down. The data shows a decrease of 21% when comparing crashes from January to April 2024 to the same time period this year. Even though there is a decrease, CDOT says crashes are still happening way too often. Their vision is to see the number at zero. Broken car windshield in car accident. / Getty Images Notable comparisons from mid-April last year to this year include: 130 total fatalities, down from 164 in 2024. 12.5% decrease in unbuckled fatalities. 17.5% decrease in pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities. 12.5% decrease in motorcyclist fatalities. 70% decrease in teen driver fatalities. 19% decrease in fatalities involving impaired drivers. 22% decrease in fatalities involving distracted drivers. 26% decrease in fatalities involving speeding. CDOT says with the help of two new laws, numbers are going down. Colorado's new Hands-Free Law prohibits the use of handheld phones while driving, allowing only hands-free accessories. The law carries a minimum $75 fine for first-time offenses. Additionally, the state updated its child passenger safety law, requiring booster seats until age 9, rear-facing car seats until age 2 or 40 pounds, and mandatory seat belt use until age 18. CDOT and law enforcement also increased enforcement in Express Lanes across the state, where weaving in and out of the designated boundaries now results in a fine of $75 or more. Several counties across Colorado are seeing huge decreases in fatal crashes. These include: El Paso — 10 total fatalities, down from 20 in 2024. Adams — 14 total fatalities, down from 23. Weld — 14 total fatalities, down from 17. Pueblo — nine total fatalities, down from 13. Arapahoe — eight total fatalities, down from 13. Jefferson — seven total fatalities, down from 11. Larimer — five total fatalities, down from 11. Boulder — four total fatalities, down from 6. CDOT says along with the new laws, wearing your seat belt properly is also bringing down the numbers. In many cases, this could be a lifesaver. "Life is hard enough," said Sam Cole, Traffic Safety Manager for CDOT. "You don't want to be dealing with a permanent injury, a brain trauma, or loss of a loved one or family member just because they didn't buckle up. It only takes a couple of seconds." Denver County is currently tracking equally to this time last year, with 15 fatalities. Mesa County has seen four fatalities, up from two this time last year, and Douglas County has seen eight, up from one. As we approach the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, which is a historically dangerous time on our roads when traffic fatalities spike, CDOT is encouraging every driver to keep the following safety reminders in mind:
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
Shelby County Sheriff's Office to run safety checkpoint April 15
SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — The Shelby County Sheriff's Office will be running a safety checkpoint Tuesday. According to the SCSO, the checkpoint will be set up from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the intersection of County Road 17 and County Road 22. Drivers arriving at that intersection during that time should anticipate being stopped briefly. They will be asked to show their driver license and vehicle insurance. Should there be harsher punishments for Alabama's Hands-Free Law? The SCSO stated the checkpoint is designed to increase law enforcement presence and discourage risky driving. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alabama bill raises concern among licensed wildlife rehabbers
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — At least 24 times a day, birds at the Alabama Wildlife Center are fed with nutrients to help them grow and gain strength in hopes of releasing them to the wild. Called rehabilitating, it's something the center has been doing for nearly 50 years. 'It takes professionals and dedication,' said Alabama Wildlife Center Executive Director Chris Sykes. 'It takes a lot of resources.' Sykes said he's concerned that could change with the introduction of HB448, known as the Alabama Good Samaritan Wildlife Rehabilitation Act. The bill would allow people to care for injured or orphaned wild birds or animals under certain conditions, regardless of experience or qualifications. The bill does not include wildlife that is federally protected. 'There's a whole host of issues that can arise from taking in wildlife without knowing the proper protocols on releasing or the proper protocols on caring for these individual animals,' Sykes said. 'There's a lot that goes into nutritional guidelines and what you have to do to get them ready for the wild.' Should there be harsher punishments for Alabama's Hands-Free Law? David Frings, associate director of the master of science in environmental management program at Samford University, shares a similar view. 'I see the compassion side of it, but if we're going to try to get the state to step up and allow people to help, these people just need to be trained,' Frings said. 'They just need to know what they're doing for both the animal and human sake.' The bill, which is sponsored by state Rep. Ben Harrison (R-Athens), does not allow people to keep the animals as permanent pets or authorize a person rehabilitating to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine. The bill is awaiting a vote from the House Agriculture and Forestry committee. 'Let's see how maybe we could increase the numbers of professional rehabbers that have the knowledge of how to actually rehab and have gone through the anti-rabies treatments.' Frings said. Alabama has seven licensed wildlife rehabbers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tennessee is among worst state for drivers. 'Operation hands-free' aims to curb that
Watch out, Tennessee, using a phone while driving could get you in trouble this month. Starting April 1, the state of Tennessee is launching its "Operation Hands-Free" for the entire month of April. Officers from all major patrol divisions will aid local officials in the month-long endeavor. The operation aims to crack down on drivers who use their phones while on the road. Here's what to know about the initiative. According to Tennessee's Hands-Free Law, it is illegal for drivers to hold a cell phone or mobile device with any part of their body. This month, police will take extra time to make sure drivers are not driving while distracted. In April, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol will partner with TDOT, local law enforcement, and other traffic safety partners. The goal of the project is to crack down on bad driving, which caused 7.7 crashes per 100,000 in the state last year. While Tennessee is not the worst state for drivers, it is certainly not the best. According to ConsumerAffairs, Tennessee ranked as the No. 11 worst state for drivers. The state has a crash score of 38.6. Per 100,000 people, Tennessee had: 7.7 crashes related to bad driving 19 total fatalities 2.5 fatalities involving DUI 3.2 fatalities involving speeding 6.3 fatalities involving positive blood alcohol content Memphis repeats as city with worst drivers for second year in a row Memphis ranked as the city with the worst drivers for two consecutive years, scoring 77.3 out of 100. Memphis had the highest number of crash fatalities at 36.2 per 100,000 people and fatalities involving a driver with a positive blood alcohol content in the country at 13.5 per 100,000 people. Regarding bad driving, Memphis was also the worst city for crashes related to poor driving, with 16.5 crashes per 100,000 people. The national average is five crashes per 100,000 people. Other Tennessee cities ranked as worst for drivers include Knoxville at No. 25, Chattanooga at No. 34, Nashville at No. 53, Clarksville at No. 93, and Murfreesboro at No. 185. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What is 'Operation Hands Free'? Tennessee tries to curb bad driving
