A premature ruptured membrane, or more commonly known as PROM, is a serious issue and threat to the mother and unborn child. A ruptured membrane is considered premature when it occurs before 37 weeks. A pregnant mother diagnosed with a premature ruptured membrane should be cared for urgently. Often, labor and delivery are induced soon after the membrane ruptures and therefore women generally only remain pregnant for a few weeks after the diagnosis. However, survival rates for the fetus are not very promising early on. There is a 12% survival rate when the rupture occurs at 16-19 weeks and a 60% chance at 25-26 weeks. A premature ruptured membrane in the midtrimester (13-26 weeks) has a poor prognosis though better results are being seen in recent studies. Monitoring the mother and child after the membrane rupture is crucial. If both the mother and child are stable it is still important to reevaluate their condition daily in order to prevent the mother from contracting an infection and to help improve the fetus’s chance of survival. In the diagnosis of a ruptured membrane, maternal health and safety should be the primary concern.

For more information on premature ruptured membranes, click here.

If you or someone you know has suffered due to a ruptured membrane and would like to speak further about it, contact the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood at 1-877-829-7211.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, July 4th and July 3rd are, respectively, the 1st and 2nd deadliest days (http://1-800-247-legal.com/MOTOR_VEHICLE_ACCIDENT_FACT.html) of the year to drive. (“Traffic Safety Facts 2003”). The North Carolina State Highway Patrol has recently taken steps to prevent drunk drivers from inhabiting the roads during the extended July 4th weekend. The NC State Highway Patrol’s “Operation Firecracker” program has established over 5,200 “Booze It & Loose It” checkpoints across the state as well as increased the amount of patrols during the Independence Day weekend. (http://www.dui.com/dui-library/north-carolina/news/booze-it-lose-it). The overall goal of the program is to decrease the number of persons on the highway that are driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), as well as increase the public’s awareness of the dangers of drunk driving. In 2008, Governor Mike Easley announced that the Operation Firecracker campaign netted nearly 2,000 cases of drunk driving in North Carolina. (http://www.dui.com/dui-library/north-carolina/news/number-of-violations-for-north-carolina-dwi-listed). As you and your loved ones prepare for this year’s July 4th festivities, be mindful of the potentially reckless drivers with whom you will share the road. Additionally, try to avoid any unnecessary travel on major interstates or highways during the Independence Day weekend.

Texting While Driving: TWD

In North Carolina, drivers below the age of 18 are expressly prohibited from using any mobile phone or other type of electronic device associated with a mobile phone while their vehicle is in motion. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-137.3). School bus drivers are bound by a similar provision under NC law. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-137.4). The punishment for teenagers in violation of § 20-137.3 is a fine of $25, while the penalty for bus drivers is a minimum fine of $100 (§§ 20-137.3 & 20-137.4). However, these particular categories of drivers are no longer the only North Carolinians to be restricted by the developing area of “cell-phone” legislation.

Since December 1, 2009, all drivers in North Carolina have been banned from text messaging and/or sending and receiving emails via the use of their mobile phones. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-137.4A). Currently, 13 other states, along with the District of Columbia, have similar provisions in place limiting the use of mobile phones in automobiles.

Under the new NC law, drivers must pull over or wait until their vehicle is no longer in motion before attempting to text or e-mail. (§ 20-137.4A). However, the law provides for a few exceptions in operators of vehicles that are lawfully parked or stopped, various categories of emergency responders, and drivers utilizing forms of GPS navigational systems or voice-activated technology. (§ 20-137.4A). It is still legal for people to use their phones to make and accept phone calls while driving.

Some supporters of this new legislation have argued that drivers will often look down to text or even take both hands off of the wheel in order to utilize the features of their phone. (http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/5394218/). In either situation, drivers are taking their eyes off of the road, creating a substantial threat to other drivers as well as greatly increasing their own chances for an accident. Although this new law may be difficult for police to actually enforce, officials believe that it will at least send a strong message to NC drivers that “texting while driving” is dangerous, and now, illegal. (http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/5394218/).