Summer in Montana gets us out in the sun and anxious to cool off in the many private, public and semi-public pools. (Highs in Billings, Montana hover around a hundred degrees in June!) Unfortunately, along with the summer fun there will be an appreciable number of accidents and injuries – many due to improper maintenance or negligence of the swimming facility.

Responsibility for harm

Commercial and public pool owners have a responsibility to keep their facilities up to standards. A hotel or motel pool is a money-maker for the business. The operators have a duty to look after their patrons and provide a safe environment. If they are negligent, in whole or part, a lawsuit is the likely remedy. A number of cases handled by Billings law firms every year are preventable, but it is too late after a personal injury attorney becomes involved.

According to a report published in the Associated Press in May 2010, pills are the most preferred contraceptive for American women. In a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 16% of the married woman confirmed the use of contraceptive pills. However, the popularity of contraceptive pills, as highlighted in the report, poses a huge health risk for American women.

The Case Against Birth Control Pills

A 2006 report published by National Cancer Institute, a federal organization under the auspices of US National Institutes of Health, warned against the use of contraceptive pills. The report claimed that the extensive use of birth control pills increased the risk of breast cancer. The risk was even higher among women who had started using contraceptive pills from their teenage years.

According to reports published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 5,300 deaths due to motorcycle accidents in the US in the year 2008. The data provided by NHTSA shows that the death rate in motorcycle accidents has been rising every year. In a period of 10 years, the total number of deaths has more than doubled from 2,116 in 1997 to 5,357 in 2008. Taking these numbers into consideration, motorcycle drivers should strictly adhere to government regulations regarding road safety.

What Does the Law Have to Say?

Laws pertaining to motorcycles and their riders vary from state to state. For example, in Montana, people who are 17 years and younger are legally permitted to drive a two-wheeler. However, in some states, 20 years is the minimum age limit. Similarly, the laws regarding the use of helmets also differ across states.

In the interest of public safety, cell phone use while driving has been made a primary offense in the state of Washington. The State Governor has signed a Senate Bill to this effect.

According to the new law, the traffic police will have the right to pull up a driver if he is caught texting or talking on the cell phone without a handsfree device while driving. The traffic cops can issue tickets to the driver as well as fine them up to $124. Earlier, cell phone use driving was considered a second-degree offence, which did not permit traffic cops from pulling a driver simply for talking on the phone while driving. However, if such an offense is coupled with a primary offense, such as over speeding or jumping a red light, then the driver could be booked for double offense.

With the new law coming into effect, Washington has become the fourth state in the US to make cell phone use while driving a primary offense.