I have authored a couple of articles recently regarding drink driving and the devastating effects; something which is all the more evident during the festive season. So, here’s a little more on dangerous driving for you!

Mobile Phones

According to a BBC report (source) the figure for people using mobile phones behind the wheel of a vehicle has, interestingly and rather worryingly, increased since tougher penalties were imposed back in 2006. The figure comes from the Transport Research Laboratory which claims 2.6% of drivers used mobile phones whilst driving when the fine rose to £60 with the possibility of three points on the drivers licence in 2006, compared to the figure now which stands at 2.8%. OK, so nominally it’s a small increase; but it’s still an increase nonetheless…
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We’ve all been hearing lately about how global warming is affecting the world, and our seasons and climates are going to be all messed up in years to come as the earth becomes warmer.

Well despite all of this, there have been weather warnings plastered over the news! Sky news reports that ‘Britain is going to face freezing temperatures this weekend’

Not only was November reported as the wettest November ion history, but frosts throughout Britain and wintry showers have been predicted for the next days to come.
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I personally, and I am sure many of you reading this, have the utmost respect for our countries armed forces given the difficulty and danger in the jobs they face on a day to day basis and the conflicts they serve in. Despite the debate behind the wars currently being fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is still important to (irrelevant of one’s agreement or disagreement to the wars) get behind our troops and support them as much as we can.

So it’s sad to hear when those in charge of our countries brave servicemen and women are in the news for  squandering cash to save payouts!

According to the mirror.co.uk (source) it is reported that the Defence Chiefs spent a staggering £90,000 in trying to slash £56,000 in payouts to two wounded soldiers! According to the report, this sum includes massive £28,000 in barristers fees for two days work.
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The owner of a tanning salon where a schoolgirl suffered severe burns has been ordered to pay £6,000 in costs.

According to the BBC, Mr James Hadley admitted to five health and safety breaches at the Lextan Salon in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan. The court was keen to stress that the injuries suffered by the girl were not as a direct result of the offences and that the charges levelled at Mr Hadley did not relate to her injury but Judge John Charles made it very clear that there was a degree of recklessness in operating an unmanned salon.

The injured girl suffered first degree burns after remaining on a tanning machine for 19 minutes and had to remain in hospital overnight following the incident. This in turn prompted the inspection of the premises.
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Hospitals, GPs and other healthcare providers will in future have to log every time a patient suffers harm or dies as a result of treatment.

According to the Guardian, NHS organisations will have to detail every mistake, accident and incident that leads to a patient suffering pain, trauma, injury or death. Previously the system has been one of voluntary reporting of patient safety incidents to the the National Patient Safety Agency. But this has had serious criticism as it obviously makes for skewed statistics and allows for errors to be ignored and go unreported.

Lord Patel, the NPSA’s chairman said, “Patient safety needs to improve and making reporting mandatory will help that happen.” However, he also stated that he did not believe that this would lead to an increase in medical negligence claims.
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All products must pass be safe for the consumer to use; if they are not, they are breaking health and safety regulations and are negligent for any accidents or suffering that occurs. So, what’s the recent news on this?

Go Go Hamsters; the must have toy for 3-10 year old this Christmas? Well, according to recent news, health and safety concerns have been raised regarding the material used in the manufacturing of these cute robotic critters that has sparked allegations that toy is potentially dangerous (source).
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We have previously explored claims for psychological injuries and how anxiety can affect us in different ways. But what causes anxiety?

Road traffic accidents often lead to bouts of anxiety experienced by many individuals as they experience situational anxiety whilst travelling in vehicles following accidents. This may be whilst travelling as a passenger or as a driver and it can be very debilitating for some.

Individuals often experience an increase in heart rate, hot flushes, a feeling of disorientation and nausea. Affects vary between individuals and some people experience far worse affects or much lesser.

It is not just physical events which can cause us feelings of anxiety as life events such as exams, work and family problems can lead to such affects.
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A Tesco Express store in Birmingham city centre has been temporarily closed by environmental health officers. The closure was unexpected and occurred on Monday and is ongoing while environmental health officers inspect the site.

According to the BBC, the store at 150 Wharfside Street, Birmingham currently displays a notice stating that it has been subjected to a hygiene emergency prohibition notice issued by the council. The environmental health officers who attended the site were satisfied that the store ‘poses an immediate risk of injury to health’. Further details of what has caused the closure have yet to be revealed but Tesco have announced that they will issue a statement later today on the matter.
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A boy aged 6 years old who suffered brain damage in a fall at his nursery has been awarded substantial damages to help pay for his care. Young James Pitcher now requires 24 hour care following a fall from a changing table at the Headstart Nursery in Croydon in August 2004.

According to the BBC, the incident left James quadriplegic and unable to swallow effectively. He is not expected to live past 15. In 2008 he was allocated £1,320,000 and the final sum for the care will remain confidential.
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I have authored several articles in the last couple of months with the subject of violent assaults and the often tragic and devastating consequences they can result in. It’s never nice to hear of a story of a violent and unprovoked assault in any circumstances, and in particular in one’s home city of Hull in an area that I myself have enjoyed the odd walk or two, at the marina near Hull’s famous ‘The Deep’ aquarium.

Hull Crown Court yesterday heard of the drink fuelled assault that ended in tragedy as two teenagers pleaded guilty to murder and robbery, the Daily Mail has reported (source).

In the early hours of 7^th April 2009, 35 year old Simon Ash had gone for a late night stroll on the marina to clear his head when he was unfortunate enough to be sighted by two teenage thugs looking for trouble after a night of heavy drinking. The pair stalked Mr Ash who subsequently dialled 999 and informed local police he was being followed and chased by the teens, and told the operator “they are trying to kick my head in.”
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