Monthly Archives: February 2013

Fullerton Police Using DUI Grants

Fullerton Police is putting to use almost $200,000 in grants. These grants are being used for programs for drink driving suppression and sobriety checkpoints.

 

Since last fall, Fullerton Police has made many strides with this grant money. The department has implemented 35 saturation patrols. During a saturation patrol, officers patrol the downtown Fullerton area looking for potentially drunk drivers. This patrol has been able to arrest an average of one drunken driver per patrol.

 

These grants have also funded undercover court-sting operations. In these sting operations, police followed drivers whose licenses were suspended from the court house to their vehicles. Police found that some of the drivers still drove with a suspended license. The police department was able to cite 7 people and arrest one individuals. The grant has also helped fund 5 sobriety checkpoints.

 

Extra patrols and checkpoints can be incredibly expensive. Police must be paid for overtime. The police department would not have been able to afford or provide these extra protective services. Thanks to these grants, the Fullerton police have been able to protect drivers and pedestrians. DUI enforcement would be significant less without these grants.

 

These DUI enforcement measures are incredibly important. California has a huge issue with drunken driving. Orange County’s alcohol related collision rate is higher than the state’s average alcohol related collision rate. In 2011, 29 percent of Orange County’s fatalities and severe injuries in traffic collisions involved a drunken driver.

 

Fullerton is known for its bar and drunken driving problem. The downtown Fullerton area has multiple bars. It is a popular location for many people to bar hop. Since 2009, alcohol related collisions accounting for 50% of the fatal collisions in Fullerton.

 

Impaired driving is incredibly dangerous. Drunken drivers have impaired vision and slow-reaction time. These irresponsible drivers risk not only their lives but also the lives of other drivers. If you know you will be drinking, plan ahead and pick a designated driver. The designated driver should be chosen before any drinking begins. If any of your friends are intoxicated, do not let them drive.

 

Report any intoxicated drivers on the road. If you see an intoxicated driver, pull over. Do not try to follow the driver. You should take note of any information about the car, the license plate, and the cross streets. The police will need this information.

 

If you are ever involved in a car accident, you may want to contact a Fullerton car accident lawyer

 

 

. Contact the Law Offices of Dara Khajavi if you have any questions.

 

Debunking Fuel Economy Myths

Gas prices have steadily risen over the years. Drivers do whatever they can to save gas. This includes believing in many gas saving myths. These are some common fuel-economy myths debunked.

  • Many drivers believe that filling up their tanks in cooler weather will get them more bang for their buck. This is because cooler gas can be denser. However, gas stations usually store their gasoline underground. The cold weather will have little to no effect on the gasoline’s density. Filling up your tank in cold weather will basically make no difference.
  • Another popular fuel economy myth is driving at high speeds with the windows open increase gas usage. This is not true. The effect of open windows on gas mileage is minimal. On the other hand, using air conditioning while driving will make a significant difference. The best way to save gas in hot weather is to open the windows.
  • A very popular myth is that warming up the car before driving will improve performance and gas mileage. In older cars, this step may be important. Today’s cars have modern and advanced technology that eradicates the need for this step. Actually, to reach maximum performance, it is best to start driving right after starting the car. You may want to driver at lower speeds for a couple miles, but you no longer need to warm up your vehicle before driving.

 

Older cars used a carburetor to mix fuel. The carburetor prepared the fuel to make it ready for combustion in the engine. In colder weather, the engine needed a rich fuel mixture. The engine had to be warmed up for the carburetor to mix the fuel. In today’s cars, a computer controls performance systems using electronic sensors.

  • Many drivers think that dirty air filters affect fuel economy. This is true in order engines, but it is not true in today’s car. In modern engines, a computer controls the air/fuel ratio. This computer adjusts the amount of fuel used to match the air flow. Therefore, if the air filter is dirty, there is less air flow. A dirty air flow will not affect the fuel economy, but the car may accelerate slower.
  • Drivers often avoid no-name gas stations. They believe that these gas stations have lower quality fuel. These gas stations usually sell at much lower prices, but they actually purchase their fuel from popular name-brand oil companies. The brand name gas companies may have more additives in their gas. These additives help clean the engine, but they are not necessary. You will not harm your engine if you use gas with fewer additives. Modern cars have advanced engine technology capable of adjusting to different types of fuel.

Hopefully, this post will help you save gas. Remember to drive safely and cautiously on the road!

If you are ever involved in a car accident, contact the Law Offices of Dara Khajavi. Our excellent Santa Ana car accident lawyers can advise you. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.

A Fast Food Car Chase

Orange County Sheriff’s deputies pursued a high speed chase after a man who passed out in a fast food restaurant drive-through lane.

A 36 year old man passed out, in his car, in a fast food restaurant drive through lane. The restaurant was a McDonald’s located on Beach Boulevard in Stanton, California. Deputies reported to the scene early Saturday morning. The authorities woke the driver and attempted to talk to him. When he woke up, the driver was uncooperative.

To escape, the suspect rammed into an occupied patrol car. The car sustained significant damage for the collision. He drove north on Beach Boulevard turning onto Ball Road. The authorities were able to stop his vehicle near Ball Road and Gilbert Street in Anaheim.

During the case, one of the deputies fired at least one shot at the driver. The suspect was grazed by a bullet, but he was not seriously injured. According to the Sheriff’s Captain, Orange County District Attorney officials are investigating the incident.

Thankfully, no deputies were injured. The driver was injured and taken to a hospital. Authorities had to pull him out of his vehicle. The Anaheim Fire & Rescue treated him after the accident. He was bleeding due to the gunshot grazing, and he had to be taken in a stretcher to the hospital. The driver’s injuries were not severe, and he is expected to survive.

The driver was later released from the hospital and booked into Orange County Central Jail. He is being booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon for intentionally ramming the patrol car.  Authorities believe that the driver passed out because he was intoxicated.

Locals say this area has accidents at least once or twice a week. The street is a busy and popular street. Thankfully, no additional people were hurt. The driver’s car and deputy car was damaged. No other damage to public or private property has been reported.

Luckily, this car chase did not cause any harm to innocent people.  Car accidents are incredibly traumatic. A car accident can cause extensive emotional and physical trauma. Victims of car accidents often experience extended hospital stays and difficult physical therapy. Car accidents can also be quite expensive for victims. The damage can mean expensive car repair bills, loss of income due to time away from work, and much more. Insurance may be able to cover some of these costs, but a Stanton car accident lawyer can help you seek maximum damages.

If you are the victim of a car accident, call the Law Offices of Dara Khajavi. Our excellent Stanton car accident lawyers have won countless cases. Please do not hesitate to contact us today.

Motorcyclist Dies in Crash

A motorcyclist died after he collided into a three in Trabuco Canyon.

The motorcyclist was riding on Santiago Canyon Road near Silverado Canyon Road. He struck a tree around 1:40 a.m., and he was found dead at the scene.

The victim leaves behind a wife and three children. Police do not believe alcohol or any substances were involved.

This road is a popular spot for motorcyclists to ride. Locals describe the road as dangerous and winding. There have been many accidents and deaths on this road.

Motorcycling is a fun activity, but it can be quite difficult and dangerous. A skilled and experienced motorcyclist will still have difficult maneuvering hazardous roads.  Slick surfaces, debris, and weather are common contributors to hazardous riding conditions. Here are some tips on how to safely ride in hazardous conditions.

Hazardous Weather

Windy and rainy weather is very dangerous to ride in. Winds can throw you off balance. While riding in rainy weather, you should pay attention to other vehicles, trees, and your surroundings. You should be able to determine the strength of the winds from your surroundings. If it is windy, make sure to keep your distance from other cars. Be careful of any debris flying around. Debris may also blow onto the road and obstruct the road.

Rain can make the road slippery. Slippery surfaces make braking more difficult. It is best to drive slowly on a slippery road. Rainy weather also affects riders’ visibility. U should also avoid riding on the sides of the road. Puddles on the side of the road tend to be deeper than they seem. Before riding, look up the weather forecast. If there is heavy rain or wind, it is best to avoid riding.

Debris or Hazards on the Road

Debris like branches and trash tend to accumulate on roads. To a motorcyclist, debris is quite dangerous. It is best to avoid riding over any debris. If you have to ride over the debris, proceed with extreme caution. Hold onto the hand grips and make sure the motorcycle continues to go straight. After you ride over debris, make sure to inspect your tires. The debris may have caused damage to your tires.

Motorcycle accidents are quite severe. If you are the victim of a motorcycle accident, there are legal resources available. An expert Trabuco Canyon motorcycle accident lawyer can assist you. Please do not hesitate to call the Law Offices of Dara Khajavi for a free consultation.

VIN 101

VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number. It is a unique 17 digit number that every car has, and it is a very important number. This number is used to identify your vehicle. The VIN number is used when you register your car, buy insurance, and when your car is being repaired. If your vehicle is stolen, police use this number to identify your vehicle.

The VIN is easy to locate. It is located on the upper left side of your dash. There should be a badge with 17 numbers on it.  You can also find your VIN on the driver’s side on the doorjamb sticker.

Each VIN is unique. The first three digits are the World Manufacturer Identifier. The first number is the nation of origin of your vehicle. Position two is the vehicle manufacturer. The third position is the vehicle’s type. Positions 4 through 9 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section. These numbers tell you about the car. Information such as the model, body type, and engine code are provided by these numbers. Position 9 is used detect invalid VINs. The last digits make up the Vehicle Identifier Section.  These numbers will indicate model year, the manufacturing plant, and the number given to your car on the assembly line.

The VIN is important for car recalls. If your car model is recalled, you will need the VIN number to find your particular car is affected. To determine if your vehicle is affected, the car manufacturer will ask you for your VIN number.

When you purchase a used vehicle, the VIN number is especially important. Before you purchase a used vehicle, you should look up the vehicle history. With the VIN number, you will be able to find any reports on accidents, structural damage, vehicle usage, recall information, and more. Make sure to get the VIN number from the vehicle. Scam artists may try to sell you a vehicle with a fake VIN.

Used cars can be great investments, but a used car can be very dangerous. Many recalled cars are being sold without repairs. If your research the vehicle history, you will be able to protect yourself from any possible car recalls and past damage. These unrepaired recalled vehicles are very dangerous. There have been many serious accidents caused by unrepaired recalled cars.

Car accidents are terrifying experiences. Victims are often traumatized by the experience. Thankfully, there are legal resources available to help victims through the recovery process. If you or a love done is a victim of a car accident, contact The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi. Our expert Santa Ana car accident lawyers will advise you through the legal proceedings.