Category Archives: Teens

2 Juveniles Injured in Separate Pedestrian Accidents

Posted on March 15, 2012 by embadmin

After a few relatively quiet months we have another wave of accidents involving pedestrians and motor vehicles. In the past week alone I have read about half a dozen tragic accidents and as a father today’s breaking news really spoke to me. In separate incidents in less than 24 hours two juveniles were hit and injured (but expected to recover) by vehicles. Officer Laura Meltzer said a green pickup truck struck a juvenile just after 7:15 a.m. Thursday at Sahara Avenue east of the Desert Rose Golf Course. Meltzer added a black sedan hit a child about 7:45 p.m. Wednesday night at Decatur Boulevard near the Sahara Pavilion South shopping center.

While it has not yet been determined if the children were using the crosswalk when they were hit I want to caution all drivers to pay extra attention when driving (especially anywhere near children). With the weather warming up and increased daylight hours there will be more people out on and about while we ramp up to the summer months. Take your time and keep your eyes peeled and let’s work to make Nevada accident free.

-Edward M Bernstein and Associates

Two children hurt in separate Las Vegas pedestrian accidents
The Associated Press
Las Vegas Review Journal
March 15, 2012

Two children are hurt but are expected to recover after being hit by vehicles in separate crashes Thursday morning.

Read the rest of the article HERE

New Cellphone Law Goes Into Effect Saturday

Posted on September 28, 2011 by embadmin

I have blogged about it before but starting October 1st Nevada will be the 31st state ban driving while using a handheld cellphone. The new law is aimed at reducing accidents associated with distracted driving. Police can pull over and cite a driver they see using a hand-held phone. Distracted driving has become a hot topic over the last few years as drivers have become increasingly distracted with in dash mp3 players, navigation systems, in-car video players, gaming systems and more.

When drivers become distracted, things can turn ugly quickly as studies have shown that taking one’s eyes off of the road for just two seconds doubles the likelihood of being in a crash. This increased risk of accidents because of driver inattention is associated with drivers of all ages, including younger drivers who may pride themselves on their ability to multitask. Fines are set at $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense and $250 for third and subsequent offenses. While the law goes into effect on October 1st the police will be citing and not fining offenders through December 31st. Please remember to drive safely and pay attention because the life you save could be your own.

-Edward M Bernstein and Associates

Police giving drivers chance to adjust to new cellphone law
Las Vegas Review Journal
September 25, 2011

The combination of a cellphone and a car are as vital to Kolleen Kelley’s profession as a purseful of well-designed business cards and an extroverted personality. But, in June, Kelley, a Realtor for 25 years, realized that she would have to revise her carefully choreographed ballet of telecommunication and transportation when Gov. Brian Sandoval signed Senate Bill 140, which prohibits motorists from talking on hand-held cellphones or texting while driving.

Read the rest of the article HERE

Startling results from underage drinking sting

Posted on August 15, 2011 by embadmin

It seems like each Summer the number of serious and fatal DUI accidents skyrocket here in the Valley. While some of these accidents involve repeat offenders an alarming number of drivers receiving DUIs are under the legal drinking age. Just this weekend a 19 year old man was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after striking and killing a 46 year old woman standing outside of her own vehicle.

In an effort to curb easy access to alcohol by minors, Metro Police have been operating a sting known as Operation: Shoulder Tap. During the operation an undercover juvenile working with the police would approach a stranger and ask them to purchase liquor for him. An eye opening half of all people approached by the minor agreed to purchase alcohol for the teenager. Operation Shoulder Tap coordinator Diane Pidsosny says underage drinking is not only dangerous, but expensive, costing citizens $800 million a year. While some adults argue that juvenile drinking is a rite of passage, alcohol is one of the leading contributors to injury, death, and criminal behavior by juveniles. The police admit there is little they can do to eliminate underage drinking but I applaud their efforts to make the streets a safer place and for sending the message that juveniles and alcohol shouldn’t mix.

-Edward M Bernstein and Associates

Sting Operation Cracks Down on Underage Drinking
By Jamie Guirola
8NewsNow
August 12, 2011

One by one, an undercover juvenile working for Metro Police asked a complete stranger to buy him liquor. Half the people the minor came in contact with allegedly agreed and knowingly purchased alcohol for the 19-year-old. It’s part of a Metro sting called Operation: Shoulder Tap.

Read the rest of the article HERE

“No License For Dropouts” Plan Proves Popular

Posted on May 24, 2011 by embadmin

Lawmakers nationwide are continuing to propose laws that would link driving privileges to school attendance and performance.Already 27 states link driving with school attendance including laws that allow a student’s driving privileges to be suspended (or revoked) due to poor behavior at school. Five of the 27 states also specify that students must uphold satisfactory progress academically or risk forfeiture of their license. This suggestion has fueled quite a bit of controversy as some feel that refusing driving rights to individuals based on school performance could be a violation of constitutional and personal rights. This bill is getting serious consideration in Nevada as lawmakers are looking for a way to boost the states 63.8% high school graduation rate. According to a survey on PSCars.com 68% of drivers agree with a law that would refuse high school dropouts to drive before they turn 21. Where do you stand on the issue?

-Edward M Bernstein and Associates

Nevada Bill Proposes Driver’s License Suspension For Low-Performing Students

Huffington Post

May 23, 2011

Lawmakers in Nevada considered a bill on Monday that would allow the state to suspend a student’s driver’s license for poor academic performance.
Read the rest of the article HERE

Are you smarter than a TEEN driver?

Posted on January 10, 2011 by embadmin

It’s hard to believe but car crashes are the number one killer of teens… not drugs or gangs violence. My office has handled numerous cases where teens were hurt in an accident or after a teen driver hurt another innocent driver. And now with texting, cell phone technology, and televisions in the cars, teen drivers are more distracted than ever before.

My office wants to help keep these young drivers safe when they get behind the wheel. In order to do that my law firm has dedicated a section of its website to teen driver education which included a free Driver’s ED test.

If you are a parent or a teen driver, log on for a Driver’s ED test and all the teen driving laws in Nevada.

-Edward M Bernstein and Associates

Are you smarter than a TEEN driver?

Sample Question:

Drivers are allowed to turn right on a red light under what conditions?
A. After a complete stop
B. After yielding to pedestrians and vehicles
C. Right turns on red are not allowed
D. Both A and B

Hover here for answer

Two Car Crashes, 2 Dead, Alcohol a Factor

Posted on November 1, 2010 by embadmin

Two recent car crashes in Las Vegas left two people dead, and police say in both crashes alcohol was a factor.

The most recent accident happened Saturday at the Paradise/Maryland Interconnect at East Westwinds Way. Police say the 26-year-old passenger died at the scene after the 2004 Nissan Maxima he was riding in veered off the road, hitting a curb and then a block wall. The 24-year-old driver suffered minor injuries.

In the second accident, a Las Vegas teenager died and several others were injured after a rollover accident on Thursday. Las Vegas police said the 17-year-old driver was killed after he crashed into a desert area near Durango Drive and Moccasin Road in the northwest valley. The victim was not identified pending notification of his family by the Clark County coroner’s office.

Seven others were injured, including Steven Abdel-Sayed, 18, of Las Vegas, Douglas Silber, 22, of Las Vegas and Richard Hall Jr., 19, of Cedar City, Utah. Four other teenagers also were injured but were not identified because they are juveniles. All suffered minor to moderate injuries.

Our condolences go out to both families who lost loved ones.

If you or someone you love is injured in a car accident, call my office at 702-240-0000 or go to www.edbernstein.com. We can help you learn your legal rights, make sure you get the compensation you deserve, deal with the insurance companies, and make sure your medical bills get paid.

-Edward M Bernstein and Associates

Passenger dies in fatal valley car accident; alcohol involved

By KRISTI JOURDAN
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Las Vegas police said alcohol was a factor in a fatal car accident early Saturday morning on the Paradise/Maryland Interconnect at East Westwinds Way.
Find article at: Las Vegas Review Journal

One teen killed, seven injured in desert rollover

By MIKE BLASKY
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
One Las Vegas teenager died and several others were injured after a rollover accident Thursday in which police said alcohol and speed were factors.
Find article at: Las Vegas Review Journal

Are Parent-Teen Contracts the Key to Safe Driving

Posted on October 19, 2010 by embadmin

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says in 2008 teens ages 16 to 19 years old accounted for 35% of all motor vehicles deaths— compared to just 4% of adults ages 30 to 59 years old. It’s a statistic we hear all the time, but car crashes are the #1 killer of teens— more than drugs, gangs, or any other type of violence.

But research shows parents play such a crucial role in teen driving education and one way parents are discussing rules and safety precautions with their teens is by using contracts.

The contracts have proven to be so effective that some insurance companies are offering discounts to parents who sign contracts with their teen. The USA Today article below says, “Gary Albert, a State Farm agent in Charlottesville, Va., says about 80% of his eligible customers now have them. Data on the number of contracts nationwide are not available.”

My office is committed to educating teen drivers and helping parents keep their kids safe on the road:

For a contract from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), click here.

To get a copy of our Driver’s ED test, click here.

-Edward M Bernstein and Associates

Are parent-teen contracts the key in driver’s ed?
By Larry Copeland, USA TODAY

Parents aware that car crashes are the leading cause of teen deaths increasingly are embracing a decidedly low-tech way to protect their beginner drivers: parent-teen contracts.

Find article at: USA Today

Teens Missing Message on Texting While Driving

Posted on September 22, 2010 by embadmin

Despite the national campaigns and news stories, study shows teens are still missing the message on the danger of texting while driving.

An article in the USA Today discusses a new survey from State Farm insurance that says many teens view texting while driving as less risky than drunken driving despite a sustained campaign against texting behind the wheel and research indicating it’s as dangerous as drinking and driving. The story says “a real awareness gap around the dangers of distracted driving, and that’s what we heard in this survey.”

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