Lightfoot Should Appoint a Chief Mobility Officer

April 17, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Congratulations to Chicago’s newly elected mayor, Lori Lightfoot! Chicago has just experienced one of the city’s most historical mayoral elections. Lori Lightfoot is Chicago’s first African-American, openly gay woman elected as mayor. As Lightfoot prepares to take office and start her term, during which she promises to address many issues such as poverty, the city’s budget, and crime in Chicago, another task she might want to look into is that of selecting a chief mobility officer. Here at Levinson and Stefani, as personal injury lawyers, we are always deeply invested in issues that directly affect our clients and their families.

As mentioned in a previous post, one topic many Chicagoans are interested in is the best way to get around the city. We all know that traffic in Chicagoland can be more than a challenge despite our famed public transit that is wide-reaching, convenient, and affordable. Now that Lightfoot has been elected, we look forward to what she envisions for the future, including her thoughts on the best path for Chicago transportation.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel started a transportation and mobility task force back in September to help regulate and manage modes of transportation as more are introduced to the city. During this time, the task force has come up with many recommendations that cover multiple transportation concerns, including safety, accessibility, the environment, and a surge in ride-sharing usage over public transit that has created significant congestion.
As part of these recommendations, Mayor Emanuel’s task force proposed the city start a pilot program for electric scooters this year. An option quickly growing in popularity nationwide, Chicago has been hesitant to allow electric scooters as a viable mode of transportation due to concerns regarding its safety and functionality. (Read about electric scooters here.) The task force suggests scooter speeds be limited to a maximum of 15 mph to try and prevent the crashes and injuries that have occurred in other cities. The task force also lays out guidelines for the best way to manage where riders place these scooters once they’re done to avoid cluttering sidewalks, a safety hazard that has plagued many cities. If Lightfoot appoints a chief mobility officer, the introduction of electric scooters as a mode of transportation could become an option for the city sooner than expected.

scooters — Above is a photo our founding partner, Ken Levinson, took in San Antonio when he was on a break from speaking at the Vista Consulting convention.

The chief mobility officer could also help to further regulate ride-sharing, which has quickly become one of the most popular choices for travelling through the city. Chicago has seen an increase in traffic due to how many residents opt for ride-sharing over other options such as CTA buses and trains. With a chief mobility officer, this is another issue that could be solved at an expedited rate along with many others.

The Trucking Industry Wants Congress to Consider Allowing Longer and Heavier Semi-Trucks on the Road, But Is It Safe?

April 16, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

As Congress considers new spending on infrastructure projects in 2019, trucking and transportation companies are looking to convince legislators to approve more relaxed rules that would allow shippers to haul heavier loads and longer trailers on their trucks.

A number of American shipping companies, including UPS, FedEx, and Amazon formed an advocacy group with a wholesome sounding name called Americans for Modern Transportation that is actively seeking to influence Congress to allow trucks to start pulling two, connected 33-foot trailers, adding 10 feet to what the current law allows. The shipping companies argue that longer trucks would reduce the number of trucks on the road and would allow companies to better meet online shopping demand.

With people buying more things online, online shopping is rapidly overtaking brick and mortar retail sales. This begs the question that even if current shipping demands could be met by by fewer trucks with longer trailers, as demand in e-commerce inevitably increases, won’t the number of huge trucks on the road also go up? Shippers certainly aren’t looking to ship less.

Even if we imagine that these new rules would result in fewer big-rigs on the highway, longer trailers would mean heavier trucks. The increase would be measured in tons. This would also lengthen the stopping time for drivers carrying such massive cargo. Since it takes more time and distance to stop a heavier vehicle, commercial drivers would need more space on the road to operate safely.

Current rules limit truck weights to 80,000 pounds. Trucking companies want this number raised by over 5 tons to allow hauling up to 91,000 pounds. As for the trailers carried by trucks, industry advocates want to increase their length by five feet. With two, connected trailers this ads 10 feet to vehicles that are already on the road making already massive big-rigs even bigger.

Congress already rejected a similar industry proposal back in 2015. One main concern is the damage that an increase of over 5 tons per truck might cause to our already deteriorating roads and bridges.

Illinois, like the rest of the country is dealing with an aging infrastructure problem that needs to be addressed. Just recently a cracked bridge shut down Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. Federal authorities said the bridge did not meet minimum national standards for new bridges, and the Federal Highway Administration called it “obsolete.”

The Briggs Street bridge that runs over I-80 in Joliet is causing concerned residents to plead to local authorities to replace it before a proposed truck stop is built right next to it.

An inspection of the bridge showed that it is in even worse condition than the partially collapsed Lake Shore Drive bridge. A truck stop there would only add more pressure, wear, and tear to an already failing bridge. Adding longer and heavier trucks to the mix could be a recipe for disaster.

Congress should consider the real impact these shipping industry proposed rules would have on people’s lives not only in the inevitable increased travel times for passenger vehicles trying to navigate around these new super trucks, but even more importantly the concern for public safety that arises. A paramount concern should be that these vehicles have safe roads and bridges to travel over. Let’s fix the roads first and then talk about bigger rigs to fill our Amazon orders.

Impact of Chicago Mayoral Election on Transportation?

March 27, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

As one of the most historically exciting mayoral elections for the City of Chicago approaches, many issues have been brought to the forefront as the runoff candidates Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle go head to head on these important topics.

One issue that both candidates have neglected to address as thoroughly, however, is a subject close to most Chicagoans’ hearts. Chicago has long prided itself on its transportation system, including the famed “L”, considered one of the busiest rapid transit systems in the United States. For most Chicagoans, commuting to and from work is often one of the more prevalent matters of our everyday lives. As more and more options become available, transportation only continues to grow in importance to the city.

Although both Lightfoot and Preckwinkle have broached transit issues, it is a matter many of us would appreciate more discussion of as the election draws nearer, especially with current Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s new task force, mentioned previously here, having released its latest report regarding transportation on March 14, 2019. In the report, current chair of Chicago’s Transportation and Mobility Task Force and former US Department of Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood stated, “Through Mayor Emanuel’s leadership, Chicago’s transportation system has become a model for the country. This report doubles down on the investments already made to modernize the City’s mobility infrastructure and provides a vision for the future of transportation in Chicago.”

In the report, it states that the Task Force examined many obstacles with Chicago’s transit system, “from accessibility concerns to the rise in ride-hailing trips and congestion issues, as well as the lack of sufficient funding for infrastructure.” The report also includes a list of principles the Task Force provides as guidance moving forward. These principles include:

A transportation system that is safe for all users
Mobility choices that are accessible, equitable, affordable and non-discriminatory
Economic development that is inclusive and innovative
A City that is efficient, smart and reliable
Communities that are sustainable, healthy, and built using universal design principles
Data and information that is actionable, transparent, shared, and secure
Regulation of private providers that is guided by public benefits

Mobility Task Force Report

The mayoral candidates could look to this report as an initial guideline with which to give us their “visions for the future of transportation in Chicago”. As strong advocates for the betterment of our transit system, especially where safety is concerned, it is important to us that Chicago transportation is given the attention it deserves.

AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition 2019 Recap

March 12, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

STAC Judges

The future looks bright for this next generation of trial lawyers! Our firm is proud to have been the Chicago Regional Coordinator of the AAJ Student Trial Advocacy Competition 2019 held at the Richard J. Daley Center. This year, over 200 teams from law schools nationwide competed in 14 regional competitions in the hopes of making it to the National Finals to be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The weekend was filled with several rounds of impressive advocacy from 16 teams overall. We would like to congratulate the winner, Loyola University Chicago Law School, for its great achievement as well as all of the other teams for such outstanding performances. Our own founding partner, Ken Levinson, acted as presiding judge for one of the semi-final rounds (pictured above). As coordinator for the second year in a row, we are proud to help provide such a platform for law students to grow in trial advocacy.

We would also like to thank everyone involved in making this competition a possibility, especially those who were willing to take the time out of their busy lives to volunteer this weekend. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Trucking Companies Should Focus More on Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention

January 4, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

The numbers are concerning. As The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics continues to keep statistics on work deaths, drivers consistently rank in the top ten of most dangerous jobs in the country. There is no doubt that driving a truck is hard work. Add to that the long hours, over-night routs, and tough weather conditions and a picture starts to emerge of a hard, gritty way to make a living.

With hundreds of work deaths every year, safety has to be top of mind for everyone in the transportation, shipping, and driving industry. This of course includes management as well as drivers. One obvious safety measure for drivers and management is making sure their fellow drivers are rested, alert, and sober when they hit the road in their vehicles.

Federal regulations require supervisors for commercial motor vehicle drivers who have a commercial driver’s license to complete at least an hour of training on the alcohol abuse symptoms and an additional hour of training on controlled substance symptoms. This is meant to help management recognize the signs that a driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and to refer them to testing. Hopefully those drivers get help. However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations do not require supervisors to get recurring training on these issues.

These rules notwithstanding, trucking outfits would only benefit by paying more attention to this concern. Most Americans are aware of the opioid epidemic in this country as well as a perpetual “war on drugs” that seems to have no end in sight. Despite the fact that no reasonable person would disagree that drunk driving is wrong, people still do it.

One explanation may be loneliness. In a 2014 study on the connection between loneliness and drug abuse, researchers found that people who abuse drugs tend to be struggling with loneliness, too. Life on the road is often a solo endeavor. Drivers spend long hours alone behind the wheel and even if they drive with a partner, often one driver is sleeping while the other works.

Anyone who has ever taken a long trip knows that it is not always easy to stay alert for a long drive, therefore, rest and breaks are important. That is why it is so crucial for trucking companies to be diligent in catching signs of driver substance abuse. Some truck drivers may turn to drugs like cocaine or amphetamines to stay awake on the road, but these substances alter the mind and tend to cause symptoms that can impair a driver’s ability to make decisions and see the road in front of them clearly.

One way that trucking companies and drivers can improve this situation is by going beyond the Federal Regulations and giving more attention to drug and alcohol abuse symptom training and prevention. Being pro-active and getting ahead of the problem can save lives before it’s too late. If management is better trained on what to look for when a driver has a problem, that person may be able to get help or rehabilitation so that they can get back on the road clean and sober. Everyone should agree that a top priority for the transportation industry would be to stop and prevent impaired driving entirely. There is almost no bigger vehicle on the road and therefore a no more dangerous one than a big rig. Keeping truck drivers safe and sober is as important as the safety of everyone else on the highway. In an industry that employs so many and is so vital to our economy, more training meant to recognize how much this problem affects road safety can mean the difference between life and death.

The Trouble With Drowsy Driving

December 28, 2018 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Some of us are old enough to remember when phones were mounted on kitchen walls or sat on end tables in the living room. Now, of course, they’re everywhere. We use them as movie studious, virtual wallets, personal assistants, heart monitors, and a million other things you can think of, or a million other things you haven’t thought of yet. Today they’re unavoidable. Everywhere you go you see people looking down at their hand-held mini-screens. It’s almost as if they’re addicted. Even if you’re reluctant to admit you have a problem, with as much time as people spend on their devices, before you know it, you’ve spent half the day checking your timeline.

A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, titled, Time distortion associated with smartphone addiction: Identifying smartphone addiction via a mobile application (App)., looks at exactly this issue. (By the way, the irony of studying smartphone addiction using a mobile app is not lost on this writer). The authors of the study noticed that people reported looking at their phones a lot less than the app tracking their use recorded them actually using their devices. This tendency to under-report seem to suggest that phone addiction is a real thing. Similar to a person who may have had a few too many at a bar insisting he, “only had a couple.”

It probably doesn’t take reading through scientific studies for the average person to see that we’re on our cellphones way too much. So much so, that it’s even become a safety concern. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 3,450 fatalities resulting from cell phone related distracted driving in 2016 alone. There’s no doubt that looking at your newsfeed while driving is incredibly dangerous, yet it happens every day. But, even if you put your phone away when you get behind the wheel, your phone habits even when you’re not in the car could be affecting your driving.

Consider another symptom of our increasingly busy modern lives – drowsy driving. It might be much harder to track than smartphone related crashes, but the government statistics on traffic accidents caused by tired drivers are no less concerning. Based on police statistics, 2015 saw over 72,000 car crashes attributed to drowsy driving.

Drowsy driving is a lot more common than you might think. Consider the average work day in America. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC), at least a third of Americans are getting less than at least 7 hours of sleep a night. For people getting less than that, say 6 hours per night, that means they are up for at least 18 hours a day. This may not seem too concerning to some, however studies have shown that being awake for 18 hours straight has the same effect on a person as having a blood alcohol content of .05%, just shy of the legal limit for driving in most states. The bottom line is, if you get behind the wheel without a good night’s rest, much like enjoying too many cocktails, you risk having delayed reaction time, difficulty with decision making, and you can have trouble just paying attention.

Much of the blame for this growing exhaustion seems to be linked to us looking at our phones at night. With most people checking their phones before bed, there seems to be a quiet, lack of sleep epidemic growing in this country. Research has shown that the light from our screens is not only keeping us from getting enough sleep, but also keeping us from getting enough quality sleep to be able to be rested and alert the next day. The type of light emitted by these electronic devices not only disrupts our ability to fall asleep, it also delays our circadian clock, keeping our bodies from resting and repairing themselves, and it decreases melatonin production, our body’s sleep-promoting hormone.

It’s not just our driving that affected by lack of sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to cognitive deficiencies like memory loss and difficulty thinking clearly. There are plenty of health risks associated drowsiness as well, including increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes.

So, what do we do to lower these adverse health risks and get more rest? There are a few life hacks that can get you back on track to a normal sleep schedule. It may sound simple, but try putting your phone away more often. At least one hour before going to bed, put your phone in a drawer. If you don’t want to turn it off in case you get an emergency call in the middle of the night, set your phone on “do not disturb” and designate certain numbers, like your spouse or your closest relatives to ring regardless of those settings. If you have trouble falling asleep, try reading a book with a traditional book light. If you prefer e-readers to physical books, get one that doesn’t light up and use the book light. These light tones don’t disrupt your sleep rhythms the way phones do. Limiting screen time allows your body to relax and naturally get ready for bed. Then, you can wake up the next morning refreshed and alert, and ready to navigate traffic. Hopefully, you’ll feel better and avoid becoming a statistic.