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Study Found That PA Drivers Are the Rudest

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speedometer Results of a recent survey reveal that Pennsylvania is in the top ten of states with the rudest drivers. While many people would agree there is a general decline of courtesy in this society, rude or aggressive driving tends to have disastrous consequences. You may face a steep traffic citation or even kill another driver or pedestrian just because you become incensed at their lack of turn signal or unwillingness to find a crosswalk.

Reactions to the survey results range from righteous indignation to personal reflection. Here is an overview of the survey, campaign, and how this development may reflect future traffic policy.

#Drive Human Survey

The #Drive Human campaign is supported by Kars for Kids which seeks to enhance traffic safety. One way it advances its objectives is by promoting courteous driving. The Drive Human hashtag was invented as a reminder that we are all people just trying to get from Point A to Point B, and anger and rudeness is not necessary. There are actual people on the road–not just faceless cars.

In March and April 2017, Kars for Kids conducted a survey across all fifty states. The survey asked questions about driving habits and was comprised of 50 licensed drivers (age 18 and older) from each state. Answers determined the most polite and rude drivers in the nation by state.

The questions addressed responses to slow driving, cars needing to merge in front of you, tailgating, turn signals, and stealing parking spaces. The survey also asked drivers if they speed up to prevent someone from passing, a category where Pennsylvania earned a “D” grade.

Results and Findings

While it is not a perfect survey, it presented illuminating results. The West contains the most polite drivers and the Northeast, the rudest. Pennsylvania ranked 42 on driver courtesy which is how it earned a top-ten spot in the states with the rudest drivers. (New York ranks at 50, while Idaho is first.)

The survey results alarmed authorities in Pennsylvania who were already concerned about road rage incidents and traffic accidents. It is likely that this policy will continue to be emphasized, which can increase your chances of receiving a citation or even facing criminal charges.

Public responses to the survey vary. Some drivers feel this is undeserved while others report bad experiences. Pittsburgh is often considered the main problem although there are reports that Philadelphia drivers are more impatient. No matter where the dispute arises, only one thing is for certain: Aggressive driving can be dangerous, and authorities seek to resolve these issues.

Effects of Rude Driving

The survey inspired an immediate response. The press officer at the PennDOT office in Bridgeville reported that road rage is rising. Drivers are overwhelmingly impatient and quick to anger, which is usually a result of pressured and rushed lives. Pittsburgh especially has become an epicenter of tailgating, illegal passing, red light and stop sign violations, and speeding, all which are accepted as common causes of traffic accidents.

Results of aggressive driving include heightened road rage and accidents. One behavior begets another–speed up while someone tries to pass you and the response may be getting cut off at a close distance. This may end with a serious accident involving injuries and even death.

PennDOT teamed up with law enforcement to assure a reduction of aggressive driving through steeper penalties and better monitoring. It is also suggested that drivers give what they want to see. Use turn signals, drive at the speed limit, and avoid crossing double lines. The hope is that courtesy starts to rub off and Pennsylvania becomes a safer state to travel.

Meanwhile, do not be surprised to find more patrols and more possibilities to earn a ticket. If there was a time to be careful on road, it is now.

Facing Charges?

Aggressive driving may lead to speeding tickets and traffic signal violations. At worse, you may face charges for vehicle manslaughter or find your anger problems leave you vulnerable to DUI charges. Vehicle-related offenses are serious and can seriously disrupt your life.

If you are facing criminal charges, the Office of DeLuca, Ricciuti & Konieczka is on your side. Located in Pittsburgh, we offer criminal defense representation for vehicular assault and manslaughter as well as DUI. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Pennsylvania Father Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter In Daughter’s Auto Accident

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A devastating automobile accident over Labor Day weekend left three teenagers dead and the father of the car’s driver contending with involuntary manslaughter charges. A New York City area family with a vacation house in the Poconos is at the center of this tragic situation.

The car’s driver is allegedly a fifteen year old girl without a driver’s license or even a learner’s permit. It is alleged that the fifteen year old driver was allowed by her father to drive from the NYC area to the Poconos on the day preceding the deadly accident.

Learner’s Permit Requirements In Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, teen drivers must be aged at least sixteen years to be eligible to obtain a learner’s permit. Additionally, learner’s permit drivers are allowed to operate the vehicle only if there is someone aged twenty one or older in the car. Additionally, there may not be anyone in the car other than an immediate family member(s). The rules for learner’s permits are similar in New York State with sixteen being the minimum age required to be eligible for a permit.

Aggravated Misdemeanor

By allowing his fifteen year old daughter to operate any vehicle on a public road, the father was in violation of the law and in commission of what is known as an aggravated misdemeanor. Had the daughter been pulled over on the drive from NYC or at any time when she was behind the wheel the father most likely would have been charged as such.  The question of whether or not the girl was speeding or driving recklessly would not come into play because without a permit or a license, she is simply not permitted by law to drive. As such, even if there had not been an accident, both the daughter and the father would have still been in violation of the law.

Involuntary Manslaughter

Tragically, in this case, there was an accident and three teenagers lost their lives when the fifteen year old driver flipped her father’s SUV. She was allegedly speeding and other passengers in the car did request that she slow down. Although her father was not in the vehicle at the time, he was charged with involuntary manslaughter due to the fact that he was the owner of the SUV and allegedly gave his daughter permission to drive the car on the day the accident occurred.

A parent can face criminal charges stemming from the actions of their minor child in their absence if it is determined that they gave permission to the child or provided the means the child employed while in commission of violating the law.

Separate Defense Teams

Most likely in this case, the father and daughter will have separate defense teams. These legal teams will mount defenses that will most likely be in conflict with each other. The father’s team has already claimed that their client did not give his daughter permission to drive the SUV on the day the accident happened. The daughter’s defense team will most likely claim that the girl’s father did indeed give her permission to drive the SUV on the day in question.

If it can be proven that result of the person’s action was the cause of somebody else’s death than a conviction on an involuntary manslaughter charge is a likely result.

All of the criminal defense attorneys at DRK Lawyers are former assistant district attorneys. We understand criminal cases and defense from both sides of the courtroom. We use our trial experience and knowledge of the government’s tactics to help defend our clients every day in the state of Pennsylvania. If you are facing criminal charges, please contact our team today