Why Backing Up a Truck is So Hazardous
Tractor-trailers, flatbeds, semis, and other commercial or large trucks are hard enough to control when the driver is going forward. Truck drivers who back their trucks up into traffic are virtually asking for an accident to happen. There are several reasons why backing up trucks are so dangerous: Unusual dimensions. The length of the trucks…
Read MoreWe Need to Talk about Safety Inspections
Over the last month, the news headlines have been dominated by Boeing: the software that failed, the regulations that were loosened, and the number of people who have died on 737 MAX crashes because of systemic failures to keep planes safe. It’s an important story, because it highlights just how much damage self-regulation with an…
Read MoreSharing the Roads Safely with Big Trucks in Arizona
Summer is approaching, and for those of us living in Arizona, that often means it’s time for family road trips. While the trips are fun, they also require sharing the road with large trucks. Even in the best of circumstances, that can be dangerous. People often think that sleepy, drunk, and otherwise distracted truck drivers…
Read MoreHow Many More Vape Pens Have to Explode before They’re Banned?
When Kailani Burton bought her 17-year-old son a vape pen, she did so with the best of intentions: she wanted her son to stop smoking. What she did not anticipate was that the pen would explode in her son’s mouth, forcing her to drive 200 miles from her home to the closest trauma center for…
Read MoreAt Least Four Different Types of Fireworks Have Been Recalled So Far
July 4th is almost here, and you know what that means: it’s time for the fireworks. Given how dry Arizona is, fireworks pose a different kind of risk for us. Today, we want to tell you which fireworks have been recalled for safety issues, and offer some tips to make sure your Independence Day celebration…
Read MoreDeaths and Injuries Due to Medical Devices Continue to Mount
The dangers of medical devices are becoming more apparent. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) reported in February 2019, that the US Food and Drug Administration has agreed to release information, previously hidden from the public, about defective medical devices. For the past 20 years, the FDA has allowed manufacturers to provide quarterly reports…
Read MoreNew Bill Would Protect Veterans by Letting Them File Claims for Military Medical Malpractice
Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-California) has introduced legislation to help members of the military file claims against the health system for medical malpractice. Currently, it is federal policy to bar medical malpractice claims by active veterans against their healthcare providers. The bill, called the Richard Stavskal Military Medical Bill, is named after Sgt. First Class Richard…
Read MoreUsing Handheld Devices while Driving Will Soon Be Illegal in Arizona
Using handheld devices while you are driving will soon be illegal in the state of Arizona. On April 22, 2019, Governor Ducey signed a bill into law that bans using handheld devices while driving. The new law goes into effect on January 1, 2021, though, police officers can give warnings to drivers starting now. If…
Read MoreWho Is Watching the Watchers?
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is a government organization that is tasked with protecting consumers by promoting the safety of products that hit the market. In order to protect the public from unsafe and defective products, the agency addresses unreasonable risks of injury, studying illnesses and injuries caused by products and creating…
Read MoreHashish IS Marijuana, per the Supreme Court of Arizona
Arizona’s history with medical marijuana hasn’t always been smooth, but as of 2010, it’s been legal. Under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA), qualifying patients could obtain a card that would allow them to purchase and have up to 2.5 ounces of “usable” marijuana, and to grow up to 12 plants. On May 28, the…
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