What You Need to Know to Survive Halloween!

Almost every year Ross Law posts Halloween safety tips. However, this year we have to admit that the Madison Alabama Police Department has outdone us. I came across a great post from the Independence Oregon Police Department yesterday with useful and hilarious Halloween tips. Here are some of the highlights from the Madison Alabama Police Department’s post:

Adults:
If you want to participate in Trick or Treat…turn on your porch lights. Fire up the scary skeletons and spooky goblins!

If you do not want to participate, turn OFF porch lights and any lights on the front of your home. This is a signal to young ones that you are not serving up the goods!

If you are handing out cavity starter packs, be sure the candy is wrapped and sealed. Homemade treats are great, but will often end up in the trash after parental inspections. Consider non-food treats such a coloring books or stickers to avoid possible food allergy issues.

If you are driving through residential areas, be aware that little monsters and goblins are hyped up on sugar and may not be paying attention to cars or traffic.

Do not drop your children off in a strange neighborhood to trick or treat alone just because it looks like a safe place to get some highfalutin candy. Remember, even Jeffrey Dahmer lived in a nice neighborhood.

Do NOT Get in This Guy’s Car No Matter What Kind of Candy He Offers you!

For the Trick or Treaters:

If the porch light is OFF keep moving. This house probably has Dollar Tree candy anyway.

If you receive homemade treats, ask your parents before eating them. Not everyone washes their hands.

Use sidewalks and stay in a group. Cross streets only at crosswalks and do not cut across yards.

Carry a flashlight or wear reflective clothing. Ghosts are only cool if you can see them!

Never go in a house or enter a car to get candy or treats. It could be haunted or worse.

Trick or Treating after 9:00 pm is not cool. Go home and divvy up your loot! Tomorrow is a school day!

Click HERE to read the full post.

Please be safe out there. We want to thank Law Enforcement agencies for getting the word out and trying to keep our streets safe. If you have any questions please call Personal Injury Lawyer Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658. Ross Law PDX is happy to provide free personal injury consultations. Please note that Ross Law is not affiliated with either the INdependence Police Department or the Madison Alabama Police Department.

PUT THE PHONE DOWN! Penalties for Using Your Phone and Driving Are Increasing

I have written a few articles on the dangers of texting and driving.   Last year bills were passed in Oregon that were intended to curb the distracted driving epidemic.   The new law closed a loophole regarding texting and driving so that it prevents people from driving with a mobile device in their hands.  More importantly, the Oregon law raised the penalties for people that can't resist the urge to use their mobile device while driving a vehicle. 

The new law takes effect on July 1, 2018, and will subject some violators to a fine of up to $2,500.00 and six months in jail.  More specifically if a habitual distracted driver is convicted of three offenses in ten years they will face a fine of $2,500.00  and six months in jail. First-time offenders are looking at a minimum of a $130.00 fine.   (Click here to read more on distracted driving penalties.)

It is a no-brainer that it is unsafe to use a mobile device and drive, but people still do not get it.  People know that distracting driving kills people.  People know they can be fined.  People also know that personal injury lawyers like myself will use the civil justice system to hold distracted drivers accountable.  However, drivers continue to use their mobile devices while driving.  Hopefully, this new law will help pound it into people's heads that distracted driving will not be tolerated.  It is simply too dangerous. 

If you, or someone you know, has been involved in a car crash with a person that was using their phone while driving, call Portland personal injury lawyer Jeremiah Ross.  Ross Law PDX offers free case evaluations to persons injured in car crashes on Oregon's roads.   Please do not use this post as legal advice, as the law is constantly changing. Please consult with a lawyer if you are involved in an incident involving distracted driving.  Please remember this blog may be considered ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.

PUT THE PHONE DOWN! NATIONAL DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH

It is a no-brainer that people need to put their cell phones down while driving.  However, despite the legal consequences of driving with a mobile device in your hand while driving, people continue to do so.   People also apparently have no issues with the fact that they are putting other drivers, cyclist, and pedestrians in danger if they are texting or using their mobile device while driving. This may explain why the number of traffic injuries and fatalities are on the rise.  In an effort to bring MORE awareness to this issue various agencies have declared April "National Distracted Driving Awareness Month."  Hence, this blog post.

Put the Phone Down and focus on Driving. As a personal injury lawyer, I have to represent too many people injured in an Oregon crash caused by a distracted driver.  There is no excuse for messing with the phone while you are driving.  It puts other lives in danger, and technology has made it absolutely unnecessary.  That is why I have no qualms about seeking punitive damages from a cell phone using defendant that has injured one of my clients. 

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car crash then call Ross Law PDX and Jeremiah Ross.  Oregon Personal Injury Lawyer Jeremiah Ross will provide a free case evaluation.  Call Ross Law PDX at 503.224.1658 to discuss your crash injury case, cyclist injury case, pedestrian injury case, or wrongful death case.  Please remember that this post is for information purposes only.  It is not to be considered legal advice.