Utah Law Talk » auto accidents

UTA Driver Should Lose Job Over Recent Accident

ronkramerlaw — Tue, 11 May 2010 04:21:17 +0000

The Salt Lake Tribune reported that a maintenance worker on his way to the scene of a Utah Transit Authority (UTA) versus car accident on May 7, 2010, and who caused a crash by running a red light may be in danger of losing his job.

Well, I certainly hope so!

According to the story, the UTA employee was on his way to investigate a crash that occurred on South Campus Drive and 1725 East in Salt Lake City between a UTA train and a car. Although the story doesn’t say, it makes sense that he was dispatched to the scene of the crash. UTA, in the cases I have reviewed, and in those that I have handled and currently handle, like to get their investigators on the scene ASAP.

I would hope given the negligence of the UTA driver, and the resulting serious injuries to an innocent motorist, that UTA will discharge this employee so that this type of accident will not repeat itself. I will not hold my breath, though, as they sadly seem to have a history of retaining drivers who drive carelessly and injure unsuspecting motorists and pedestrians, such as Kristen Kenny. See Salt Lake Tribune article here.

The opinions expressed above belong to Utah personal injury and accident attorney Ron Kramer.

What is Zero Fatalities?

ronkramerlaw — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:29:52 +0000

I’m sure you’ve seen the TV ads or heard the radio announcements for Zero Fatalities and you may be wondering what exactly it is. Zero fatalities is a nationwide effort that addresses the top behaviors that are killing people on America’s roads. The program was actually originally launched in Utah by the Utah Department of Public Safety, since then, officials in many states have asked to use the ads, flyers and artwork to launch the campaign in their individual states. Topics covered include drowsy driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving, driving without wearing a seat belt and impaired driving. The program is designed to convince all drivers that Zero Fatalities is the number of traffic related deaths our country should strive for.

Zero Fatalities is looking to change the mind-set that traffic fatalities are inevitable. Really, traffic fatalities are often preventable if we make some minor changes in the way we drive. Zero Fatalities attempts to influence each individual driver to make minor adjustments so Utah roads will become safer as a whole. Their slogan, “A goal we can all live with” is present in every TV or radio advertisement.

Is it Working?

Statistics say yes! Zero Fatalities is working. According to UDOT, Traffic fatalities are down 28%. As of November 30, there have been 230 traffic fatalities in 2009. That number is down from the 254 reported during that same time frame in 2008.

I echo the principles of the Zero Fatalities campaign: small changes in the way we drive can make Utah roads a little safer.

Several Auto Accidents in Utah County: One Fatal

ronkramerlaw — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:38:00 +0000

Traffic was slow Friday evening as several auto accidents clogged Utah’s freeways. The most recent accident occurred near the University Parkway in Provo reports KSL News. Utah Highway Patrol troopers say the driver of a pickup truck did not see slowing traffic in front of him, by the time he noticed it was to late. The truck hit the vehicle in front of him causing a chain reaction with vehicles whose drivers did not have time to react to the crash in front. One person was flown to a nearby hospital; all others received only minor injuries.

A few miles south, at mile marker 261, a fatal auto accident occurred near the Springville exit. Three adults and two children were traveling in the car when it rolled out of control. UHP troopers say a 50-year old woman died in the crash, and all others in the vehicle were injured. The children, ages 5 and 7, were rushed to Primary Children’s Medical Center for treatment. The crash is currently under investigation, the cause is yet to be determined. We wish a full recovery to the young children involved in this accident.