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Pedestrian Safety

Florida’s Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Bill
Florida’s Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Bill 2560 1707 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

With drivers turning every which way in popular Florida cities, it can be dangerous to be walking along the streets.  Over a 10-year span in Florida, there were 5,433 pedestrian…

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Super Bowl LIV Safety Tips

Super Bowl LIV Safety Tips
Super Bowl LIV Safety Tips 926 741 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

Every February, friends and family gather to watch the big game and look forward to their favorite team taking home the big win. Whether you are hosting a Super Bowl…

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Four Bath Safety Tips for National Bath Safety Month

Four Bath Safety Tips for National Bath Safety Month
Four Bath Safety Tips for National Bath Safety Month 1050 700 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

January is National Bath Safety Month. Did you know that drowning is ranked fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States? One in five people…

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heart health Mitch Panter

5 Heart Health Tips for American Heart Month
5 Heart Health Tips for American Heart Month 2560 1823 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

Every February, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute raises awareness about heart health and encourages new ways for everyone to lower their risk of developing heart disease. According to…

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In recent years, many Florida residents have started riding on new high-speed passenger railroad lines as a fast and easy way to travel to various cities throughout the state. However, this new mode of transportation faces a few safety concerns. The Florida tri-rail trains, Amtrak and Brightline, were said to create a fast and secure way of transporting Florida citizens to and from various cities around Florida, including West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando, and others. However, this year alone, Brightline has struck approximately 40 people due to suicide attempts and errors by individuals attempting to cross the railroad tracks according to the Federal Railroad Administration. In order to improve railway safety, Florida will be introducing Bill SB 676, the Florida High-Speed Rail Safety Act. High-Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act Kevin Thibault, Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), announced the statewide safety initiative after an Amtrak train struck a woman and her two grandsons in West Palm Beach due to a lack of warning signals or gates. Before this announcement, it was reported that Brightline, which is rebranding to Virgin Trains USA, had the worst per-mile death rate in the nation (one death for every 29,000 miles) compared to other railroads. However, it should be noted that these fatal accidents were not due to faulty equipment or employee error. The majority of the Brightline deaths were due to suicide, while other fatal accidents involved drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists who ignored warnings and believed they could cross the railroad in time. A year ago, a study of Florida’s passenger rail system found that while the FDOT and the Federal Railroad Administration placed regulations for conventional (up to 80 mph) and high-speed (126 to 220 mph), they had not yet developed regulations for trains traveling at 81 to 125 mph. To help resolve the rampant problem, State Senator Debbie Mayfield and State Representative Tyler Sirois have reintroduced the “Florida High-Speed Passenger Safety Act.” The Florida Highway Safety Act is composed of two bills, which, if enacted, will go into effect on July 1, 2020. House Bill 465 speaks of the regulation of high-speed railroad companies and includes the minimum safety standards as well as the safety inspection requirements and the construction and maintenance of certain fencing. Senate Bill 676 requires the FDOT to regulate the railroads in cases where it is not already obligated to do so under federal law. As of November 7, 2019, the Act has reached the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee and is awaiting a decision. If approved, the Act will be referred to the Transportation and Tourism Subcommittee and the State Affairs Committee for further review. According to the Florida Passenger Rail System Study, there are specific recommendations that can be followed to improve safety: Enforce Railroad Crossing Trespass Violations – Establish harsher penalties for crossing trespassing or a photo/video enforcement program for at-grade crossings. Review Rail Safety Resources –Assess current resources of the Department of Children and Families and Department of Health to determine a statewide suicide prevention activity to be leveraged. Update FDOT’s Mandate – Clearly define its regulatory role in implementing safety regulation on a state level. Implement State-of-the-Art Practices – Set regulations on quiet zones in urban areas to address railroad system noise or create a requirement for navigation applications to include audio and visual alerts of upcoming railroad crossings. Safely Navigate Railroad Crossings Here are a few reminders for train safety: Trains cannot stop and always have the right of way. Make sure to stop, look both ways, and listen. When driving, stop 15 feet away from the flashing lights, lowered gates, or stop signs. Never drive around a lowering gate, as it is extremely dangerous and can result in a fine. If your car stalls in the middle of a crossing, exit your vehicle and call 911. Be patient and do not race the train! No life is worth risking, cross carefully. If you live near a rail line, it is extremely important to educate your family on the dangers of being near the active tracks, as trains will become a more common mode of transportation here in South Florida and throughout the state. If you or a loved one are seriously injured or even killed as a result of an accident, it is always important to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible as you may be able to recover for economic and non-economic damages. References: Florida to roll out new safety measures to curb deadly rail-crossing accidents (n.d.) Retrieved December 26, 2019 from https://orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2019/12/05/florida-to-roll-out-new-safety-measures-to-curb-deadly-rail-crossing-accidents Always Expect a Train #crosscarefully (n.d.) Retrieved December 26, 2019 from https://nhtsa.gov/campaign/rail

Florida Reintroduces High-Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act
Florida Reintroduces High-Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act 0 0 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

In recent years, many Florida residents have started riding on new high-speed passenger railroad lines as a fast and easy way to travel to various cities throughout the state. However,…

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Trust A Top Personal Injury Law Firm

PP&S FIU Bridge Collapse Victim to Receive Settlement
PP&S FIU Bridge Collapse Victim to Receive Settlement 1920 1280 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

On March 15th, 2018, what was meant to be a safe pedestrian passageway for the Florida International University (FIU) community became a Miami tragedy.  At approximately 1:46 PM, the FIU…

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2019 Toy Safety Checklist and Toy Recalls
2019 Toy Safety Checklist and Toy Recalls 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

This holiday season, many shoppers will have this year’s most popular toys on their shopping lists. Unfortunately, as with any product on the market, some toys may be defective, or…

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4 Online Holiday Shopping Scams to Look Out for This Season
4 Online Holiday Shopping Scams to Look Out for This Season 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

The holiday shopping season is here, and according to the results of the new TransUnion Holiday Retail Fraud survey, more than 75% of shoppers plan to do at least half…

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3 Most Common Thanksgiving Accidents
3 Most Common Thanksgiving Accidents 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

Thanksgiving accidents are never part of the holiday plan. An accident is probably the last thing you are thinking about when celebrating over the holiday weekend. Unfortunately, every year, we…

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Who can sue for a wrongful death in Florida?
Who can sue for a wrongful death in Florida? 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

Ver este video en Español. Florida’s Wrongful Death Act recently came under scrutiny after a family shared their grief with the Sarasota Herald-Tribune after discovering an exception in the law.…

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How to Avoid Holiday Season Auto Accidents
How to Avoid Holiday Season Auto Accidents 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

During the holiday season, it is common for the number of auto accidents to increase compared to other times of the year. With an influx of tourists, endless festivities, and…

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Negligence in Workplace Fatality Incidents
Negligence in Workplace Fatality Incidents 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

On the evening of Saturday, October 26, Matthew Farge, a bouncer at the Green Room bar in Key West, was walking down the stairs at the establishment when he struck…

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Tips to Quit Vaping
Tips to Quit Vaping 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

Reports of illnesses and death attributed to vaping and juuling continue to rise giving everyone a reason to quit vaping altogether. As of October 15, the CDC’s ongoing report, which…

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What You Need to Know About the Discovery of NDMA in Ranitidine
What You Need to Know About the Discovery of NDMA in Ranitidine 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, acid reflux, also known as heartburn, affects over 60 million Americans every month. Many Americans who have chronic acid reflux are prescribed medication…

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Holiday Ridesharing Safety Tips
Holiday Ridesharing Safety Tips 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

The holiday season is finally here, and so is the busy travel, party, and shopping season. During this time of year, many people opt to use a ridesharing service like…

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There is Still Time to File Hurricane Irma Insurance Claims Lawsuits
There is Still Time to File Hurricane Irma Insurance Claims Lawsuits 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

Hurricane Irma may seem like a distant memory, but some homeowners are still working on repairs to their property due to issues with receiving proper insurance benefits. The good news…

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Latest on Florida’s Opioid Epidemic
Latest on Florida’s Opioid Epidemic 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

The opioid epidemic has been ravaging the United States for several years now and it does not seem to be slowing down. Although many would like to think that it…

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Is vaping causing a deadly lung illness?
Is vaping causing a deadly lung illness? 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing a new warning about the use of e-cigarettes after a sixth person died from a mysterious lung illness that health…

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