Preventing Car Accidents
You can help reduce the number of accidents
In the Israeli police, there is a special unit in charge of informing families that their relative – father, child, mother, or sibling – has died in a car accident. Sometimes, the right sentence is: “They were killed in an accident”.
This special unit is formed by only six policeman and they are never “off duty”.
We all can - and should - help reduce the number of accidents.
The Legal Aspect and Most Recent Changes in Traffic Law Court
In the last few years, especially in the last three years, judges in the traffic law courts have started a slow – but very active – process of changing punishment criteria.
The meaning of this change is that convicted defendants can be kept in prison for long periods of time, even when the victims are members of their own family.
Think about how tragic it can be for a parent that, besides killing their own child, must also serve time in prison!
Car and Accident Insurance
Until now, there have not been changes in car insurance policy1 . These policies cover in case of an accident even a driver who is under the effect of alcohol, but it does not cover the driver under the influence of drugs like marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy and other similar narcotics.
The mandatory insurance (Bituach Chova) is one of the best in the world and I advise you to never (!) go out with your car or even turn on the engine2 without this insurance. The law is clear on this matter and every vehicle must be covered with this mandatory insurance, which must be valid and kept in the driver’s possession.
Some Tips
One of the best media advertisements was produced by an insurance company named “ASNE” (doesn’t exist anymore). The slogan said:
On the road, do not be right, be smart. Just a tip: leave your pride on the side and remember that you have a family waiting for you at home.
Many times I (and my motorcycle) hope to make it to the office and back home alive. Let the other drivers turn on the high beam in your face or on your back. Let them honk, swear, drive past you... It is not worth it to get all worked up about it. Think about your family waiting at home. Think about your friends and about the wonderful life that awaits you!
The Driver on duty – Who will it be today?
One of the greatest solutions today that works very well is the famous “HANAHAG HATORAN”: the driver on duty.
I always ask my son, who is 22 years old; 6’ tall, weighs 210 lbs, and was a member of an elite unit in the army, who he is going out with and who is bringing the car back. So what? It is still the father or the mother who commands the car wheel. If the answers are not good enough, no car keys! I tell him to take a cab!
Tell your child, tenderly and firmly, that, if they drink, their father or mother will pay for the cab ride or will pick them up. Make it very clear that it is no inconvenience.
Tell them that they can call you anytime, even late at night. Make your children be sure that you will always be there to help them, whenever and wherever, and that this will not be a reason for you to be upset or for them to be punished.
The wheel is in your hands
Sincerely,
Tzvi Szajnbrum, Attorney at Law
1 This insurance policy as well as two others – travel and home insurances – have their conditions established by the parliament and cannot be modified unless the modifications make them better than they already are.
2 As well as not to leave a broken car parked without the mandatory insurance. The only way to be exempted from the insurance is to go to the Misrad Harishui and deposit the vehicle’s license (not the driver’s licence).