Item: Flaxman Law Group
Rating: 5
Author: Clara Barman

Are We Doing Too Little to Prevent Hollywood Motorcycle Accidents Involving Trucks?

Published on: July 3, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to a recent report published by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), the number of motorcyclist fatalities nationwide remained stagnant between 2010 and 2011. Both years, there were 4500 motorcycle accident fatalities across the country, something that experts claim shows that too little is being done to help prevent these types of accidents. However, there are many things that can be done to help prevent these serious types of traffic casualties:

1) Get stricter about distracted driving. Florida is one of only a few states with no laws against texting and driving or mobile use and driving. Distracted driving of any type has been shown in studies to lead to serious traffic accidents, and the use of texting and mobile devices by drivers is significant. Getting serious about getting rid of distracted driving is important in ensuring that drivers focus on the road.

2) Improve awareness campaigns to help motorists share the road safely with motorcyclists. Motorists need to understand that they need to always give motorcyclists the full lane and never share a lane with motorcyclists. Motorists also need to be made aware about the importance of checking blind spots and mirrors to help prevent Hollywood bicycle accidents and motorcycle accidents. Since motorcycles can stop more quickly than many passenger vehicles, it is important to also alert motorists of the importance of leaving more space when following a motorcyclist.

3) Get tougher about motorcycle accident injuries. In many cases, drivers who cause a serious motorcycle accident are not held accountable. As with Hollywood bicycle accidents, with Hollywood motorcycle accidents, the blame is often placed on the motorcyclist. In many cases, victims need to work with a Hollywood personal injury attorney in order to get answers about what has caused an accident and in order to get the compensation they are entitled to under the law.

4) Write to your elected representative to get traffic safety laws passed to improve safety laws. Better laws can help reduce the risk of Hollywood car accidents and traffic accidents and can ensure that victims of these accidents get the compensation they deserve. If you have an idea about ways to improve the laws, write to your elected representative with your suggestions. Support laws that protect victims and reduce the risk of accidents.

5) Alert your community about any poor road conditions. Slippery surfaces and potholes are far more dangerous for motorcyclists than for most motorists. Keeping roads in good repair can help prevent many types of Hollywood traffic accidents – not just motorcycle collisions.

6) Seek legal help if you have been injured in a Hollywood motorcycle accident or traffic accident. Unfortunately, in some cases liable parties causing accidents only make safety changes if there is legal pressure and a financial reason to do so. Many positive safety changes have occurred because victims have pursued legal action and have held those liable accountable for negligence.

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How One Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Leads to Others: Secondary Accidents

Published on: June 28, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Everyone knows the devastation that Fort Lauderdale truck accidents can cause. We have all seen the news reports of a tractor-trailer on its side, blocking traffic, caught on fire, and causing devastation on the roadway during rush hour. However, what many people do not realize is that one Lord Lauderdale truck accident is dangerous because it can cause secondary Fort Lauderdale car accidents and traffic accidents. There many reasons why secondary accidents take place:

1) Spills. In cases where a commercial truck is carrying a full load, that cargo may spill during a Fort Lauderdale truck collision. When this occurs, the substance can spill out over the surface of the road, causing obstructions to traffic and possible secondary Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accidents and car accidents. If the substance spilled is toxic or dangerous, breathing in the fumes can cause serious personal injury for any innocent bystander and for any emergency personnel in the area. In cases where the substance is slippery, it can easily lead to slip and fall accidents, cars spinning out of control, and other types of accidents. In situations where the substance is flammable, the result can be a devastating fire and secondary accidents as drivers try to swerve out of the way the flames.

2) Curiosity. Unfortunately, many secondary accidents are completely preventable, and they occur because people slow down to take a look at an accident. While curiosity in the wake of an accident is natural, rubbernecking and slowing down suddenly can lead to even more accidents. If you are driving when you see a Fort Lauderdale truck accident, it is important to stay calm, keep your eyes focused on the road, and to obey the directions of any emergency responders at the scene. Getting out of the way of the accident should be your first priority. If someone is in need of assistance, pull over to the side of the road before calling for emergency help.

3) Blocked roadways. Due to the size of commercial trucks, when they are involved in a Fort Lauderdale traffic accident, they can block off entire lanes of traffic. When this occurs, it can prevent traffic from flowing normally, which can lead to road rage, congestion, and others issues which can lead to a Fort Lauderdale car accident.

4) Fires and structural damage. In some cases, devastating Fort Lauderdale truck accidents can lead to explosions, fires, and collisions that cause road damage and structural damage. This type of damage, when not cleaned up properly, can easily lead to a Fort Lauderdale car accident down the line.

5) Fallout leading to damage to a second vehicle. A truck accident can cause debris to spill on the road or to fly at other cars. In some cases, other cars are struck or are damaged by the debris, and this damage can lead to an accident.

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Causes of Coral Gables Truck Accidents

Published on: June 26, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Coral Gables truck accidents are among the most devastating Coral Gables traffic accidents to occur on the city`s streets. In addition to causing significant injuries, these types of traffic accidents often result in catastrophic damage, and in some cases environmental disaster if the truck was carrying any sort of flammable or dangerous material. In some cases, big rigs block off entire lanes of traffic for hours or cause devastation to city streets. There many possible causes for these types of devastating accidents, and in many cases an accident is caused by a number of factors:

1) Driver fatigue. Commercial truck drivers often work long hours. Although federal laws regulate that commercial truck drivers must take certain amounts of time for rest, in many cases drivers can become fatigued even with adequate rest. This is especially true in cases where drivers must work irregular hours or in cases where drivers have an illness or a condition, such as sleep apnea or insomnia, prevents them from sleeping correctly.

2) Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, or illicit drugs. Any type of substance that affects a drivers level of fatigue or motor skills can be potentially dangerous. From simple over-the-counter allergy medication to illicit drugs and prescription medication, many types of drugs have side effects that can be dangerous for commercial drivers.
3) Speeding. An 80,000-pound truck, fully loaded, already has the size and force to do serious damage to a passenger vehicle or any smaller vehicle. When a truck is involved in a Coral Gables motorcycle accident or car accident, the smaller vehicles are often crushed. When speed is a factor, the damage sustained to the smaller vehicle is often devastating and generally leads to fatalities.

4) Unfamiliarity with the route. Commercial truck drivers may have a regular route, but in many cases commercial truck drivers must make deliveries to unfamiliar areas. Being unfamiliar with a street can be challenging for number of reasons. For one thing, drivers may not be aware of hazards that can lead to a Coral Gables traffic accident. Another problem is that drivers who are in an unfamiliar route may be distracted by trying to find a specific location.

5) The driver’s failure to check blind spots properly. Commercial truck drivers are taught to check blind spots regularly. However, when they failed to do so accidents are a common result, especially since commercial trucks have so many blind spots.

6) Driver error. Drivers sometimes underestimate the level of evasive action needed to avoid an accident, or overcompensate in a situation. When drivers make these types of errors, accidents are common result, especially since large trucks cannot break or react as quickly as passenger vehicles.

7) Traffic violation. Running red lights, disobeying traffic signals, and doing other illegal activities on the road easily lead to accidents for any driver.

8) Distracted driving. Roadwork and construction are common distractors, but there are many possible distractions on the road. From mobile devices to other distractions, there are many things that can cause a driver to take their eyes and mind off traffic.

9) Road rage and aggressive driving. Aggressive driving affect all drivers, but when the driver is sitting behind the wheel of an 80,000 pound commercial truck, the results of aggressive driving can be much more devastating.

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Working to Reduce Rollover Miami Truck Accidents

Published on: June 19, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Rollover Miami truck accidents can be devastating. They can crush passenger vehicles, cause serious Miami brain injuries, close entire highways, cause toxic chemical spills, spark fires, and more. These types of Miami traffic accidents often cause devastating injuries and cost thousands of dollars per accident in public funds for cleanup costs.

Florida is now focusing on reducing the impact of rollover truck accidents in the state. In order to do that, the state plans to pay an incentive to tow companies – through the ‘Rapid Incident Scene Clearance’ program — who can clean up these types of accidents in an hour and a half. Florida is also taking a closer look at areas with higher instances of rollover accidents and is adding new signs or changing construction in some areas to make roadways safer. For example, new construction and signs on Florida’s Turnpike and on I-595 are intended to help prevent car accidents and truck accidents.

In 2005, the number of Florida rollover accidents reached a record 708. By 2009, improvements meant that the number of these accidents dropped to 296. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, towing companies have also gotten better at clearing up after rollover truck accidents. In 2010, these accidents took an average of 60 minutes to clear, compared to 57.3 minutes in 2011.

However, experts agree that much needs to be done, especially when it comes to road design in rollover hot spots. The ramps connecting Interstate 595 to Florida’s Turnpike have been the site of seven major rollover accidents between 2005 and 2008. According to the American Transportation Research Institute, it is one of the most common spots in the state for rollover accidents, made all the worse by the fact that many trucks need to head through that area in order to reach Port Everglades. Tight ramps and other design problems may contribute to road accidents in that area, according to experts.

There are several hotspots in Florida for rollover truck accidents. The U.S. 27 interchange at the turnpike in Miami-Dade County, for example, has seen eleven rollovers in recent years while Pompano Beach’s I-95 ramp has seen seven such accidents.

In terms of road design, there are many improvements that Florida has made in recent years to help prevent Miami car accidents and truck accidents. For example, the state has installed some direct ramps to replace S-curves which force drivers to make sharp turns. In areas where speed has been found to be a factor causing Miami motorcycle accidents and truck accidents, communities have installed larger and brighter speed limit signs as well oversized signs warning drivers about the dangers of speeding. The I-595 is being changed as part of a $1.8 billion project.

According to experts, most truck rollover accidents are caused by driver error, however, and there are plans underway to help prevent driver error as well. For example, the American Transportation Research Institute hopes to launch mobile communications network to help give truck drivers warning about accident dangers and hot spots. The satellite-based network would give drivers warning in time for drivers to be more alert when approaching high-risk intersections and areas.

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A Look At Statistics That Could Solve the Puzzle of Miami Truck Accidents

Published on: June 14, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Civil engineers Sunanda Dissanayake and Siddhartha Kotikalapudi, both of Kansas State University, are examining five years of commercial truck accident statistics with an aim to finding information that could help prevent future crashes. Their research may be important in helping to prevent Miami truck accidents as well as traffic accidents across the country.
According to Dissanayake, commercial trucks comprise just 3% of the registered vehicles on US streets, but these vehicles tend to be involved in a disproportionate number of accidents. According to 2009 statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), one out of ten traffic accident fatalities across the country involved truck accidents.

According to initial research, a large proportion of the truck crashes examined were caused in part due to some action on the part of the driver. Driver distraction and not giving enough time to complete driver tasks seemed to be the biggest cause of truck accidents. Excessive speeds, failing to yield right of way, incorrect lane changes, and tailgating were among the other top accident factors that the researchers uncovered. In fact, initial research suggested that in about 73% of examined accidents, driver related issues were at least a contributing cause of the collision.

In about 13% of accidents, researchers concluded that environmental-related causes were a contributor, while in about 7.8% of cases road-related issues where a problem. Defective brakes, cargo problems, and other vehicle-relates issues contributed to accidents in about 6.1% of cases, according to the initial findings of the researchers.

Initial research also found that most the truck collisions studies occurred between noon and 3 pm and almost 78% of the accidents occurred in full daylight with no poor weather conditions present. Researchers further concluded that most of the truck accidents occurred in high-speed areas.

Dissanayake and Kotikalapudi are continuing their research and hope to be able to make safety recommendations based on their findings. Their research may also help suggest reasons for Miami traffic accidents involving trucks. If the findings are similar in Florida, it could suggest that careful training and screening of truck drivers as well as more resources and support for truck drivers may be a good way to prevent Miami car accidents involving trucks. Ensuring that truck drivers can give their full focus to their driving can help prevent some of the accident causes that Dissanayake and Kotikalapudi have uncovered.

The research findings of Dissanayake and Kotikalapudi may also suggest one reason why Miami truck accident victims who have sustained a serious injury may wish to speak with a personal injury attorney. According to the initial findings, many accidents are caused by preventable reasons and truck drivers as well as potentially other liable parties may be held accountable for their actions. Holding drivers accountable when they speed or drive distracted can help pressure truck carriers to screen and train drivers carefully to prevent further legal action.

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Rear-End Miami Truck Accidents

Published on: June 12, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 18% of the 400 000 annual truck accidents across the country are rear-end crashes. In about 70 000 of these truck crashes each tear, it is either the truck that rear ends the other vehicle or the vehicle that rear-ends the truck. Rear-end Miami truck accidents can be especially devastating when the truck rear ends a passenger vehicle. The size and force of the truck can crush much of the vehicle and cause devastating injuries to those inside the car.

However, truck collisions in which the car rear ends the truck can also be very devastating. These accidents can cause a underride accident, in which the car slides entirely under the truck and is dragged along until the truck comes to a complete stop. These Miami car accidents tend to cause fatalities and serious injuries, since the top of the car can be completely crushes or even sheared off, causing devastating injuries to those inside the passenger vehicle. In fact, according to the FMCSA, trucks struck cars in about 28 000 accidents each year, while 42 000 nationwide truck rear-end accidents were caused by passenger vehicles striking trucks. Nevertheless, there were more fatal accidents in cases where the vehicle rear-ended the truck. There are 271 truck accident fatalities in accidents involving a truck rear-ending a car, compared to 461 fatalities in cases where the car struck the truck.

Underrides contribute to many of the accident fatalities. Another reason why these types of accidents are especially fatal is because passengers sitting in the front of a car are more protected when a truck strikes the rear of the vehicle – the truck must move from the trunk and through the rear passenger seat to harm the driver and front-seat passenger. In a collision where a car strikes a truck, there is only the hood and windshield of the car protecting passengers. This is especially a concern since passenger car drivers are more likely to rear-end a truck than trucks are to rear-end a passenger car.

Fully-loaded commercial trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds or more. In a Miami traffic accident, these vehicle have a great deal of force, which can easily crush pedestrians and smaller vehicles. In Miami truck accidents involving speed, the kinetic force of a commercial truck is much larger and the instances of serious injury of fatality are therefore more common. While it is possible to walk away from a low-speed Miami truck collision with few injuries, when that same collision involves speed it is far more likely that the passengers of the car will have serious injuries.

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Issues Which Can Contribute to Fort Lauderdale Truck Accidents

Published on: June 6, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Fort Lauderdale truck accidents cause many fatalities and serious injuries each year. When someone is involved in this type of Fort Lauderdale traffic accident, they often have questions about what has caused the collision. There are many issues and factors which can case truck accidents:

1) Company policies. In some cases, truck carriers instill policies which are designed to improve profits but which do not necessarily help safety. For example, some companies may not thoroughly screen drivers or may put added pressure on drivers through tight deadlines, pushing drivers to take added risks.

2) Driver fatigue. Statistics have shown that fatigued driving is a major cause of many truck accidents. There are federal rules which enforce certain rest periods for commercial truck drivers, but driver fatigue is still an issue. In part, this is because while drivers may rest they may not necessarily get adequate sleep on the road. In addition, drivers often work odd hours to make deliveries, and this type of work can be exhausting, even if a driver does get adequate sleep. Finally, certain conditions, such as sleep apnea, can cause fatigue that can lead to a Fort Lauderdale car accident or truck accident.

3) Driver distraction. Commercial truck drivers are banned from using cell phones while driving, but some continue to do so. Some drivers also are distracted by changing music, eating, or trying to do other things while driving. In all cases, driving distracted can lead to devastating crashes.

4) Driver error. Driver mistakes are one of the leading causes of truck accidents. In many cases, driver errors are indirectly caused by lack of driver training, inexperienced driver, fatigued or distracted drivers, or by another secondary cause.

5) Lack of attention to rules and regulations. Commercial truck drivers are expected to follow the rules of the road and are expected to adhere to the federal policies created for commercial truck drivers. When truck drivers speed, fail to follow the rules of the road, and otherwise violate the rules, collisions are a common result.

6) Road rage. When truck drivers get upset and frustrated – which can occur after long days on the road – they are more likely to make mistakes and drive aggressively, which puts everyone at risk.

7) Substance abuse. Commercial truck drivers are tested for substance abuse, but in some cases drivers do use stimulants on controlled substances. While the rate of Fort Lauderdale drunk driving accidents is lower among commercial truck drivers than the general driving population, it can still be a problem. In some cases, even over the counter medications can make truck drivers dangerously sleepy.

8) Mechanical issues. Both truck drivers and truck carriers are responsible for regular checks of a truck and for regular truck maintenance to ensure that a truck is safe for the road. When a truck system – such as the brakes system – fails and causes an accident, it is often due to a parts defect or lack of adequate maintenance.

9) Load issues. A fully commercial truck that is loaded with too much cargo is more likely to suffer brake failure or tire failure as the extra weight puts added stress on the vehicle. When a truck is overloaded or when a load is not correctly secured, the truck is also more susceptible to rollover accidents.

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Light Truck Accidents in Miami

Published on: June 1, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Light trucks are often advertised as safe and rugged vehicle options. Many people in Miami like the idea of light trucks, since they can carry quite a bit and some drivers believe that they are safer than smaller passenger vehicles. However, the popularity of light trucks can mean Miami car accidents, since these vehicles have a number of safety hazards associated with them:

1) Many drivers are not trained to drive larger trucks. Most drivers learn to drive in passenger vehicles such as sedans and few drivers take formal driver training in light trucks. While light trucks, such as pickup trucks, are designed to handle similarly to passenger vehicles, the two types of vehicles are not the same. A driver not used to a light truck may be more at risk of a Miami truck accident simply because the vehicles are significantly different and in many cases drivers are not trained for this.

2) Many light trucks have multiple blind spots. Pickup trucks have more blind spots than passenger vehicles and in many cases carrying a larger load in the bed can also obscure visibility further. It becomes more important for the drivers of these vehicles to check blind spots regularly.

3) Light trucks are generally not designed to decelerate or brake rapidly. In other words, these vehicles handle differently than passenger vehicles but many drivers drive them in the same manner, without leaving extra room for stopping. Drivers in other vehicles may also not consider that light trucks and pickup trucks require more room to stop.

4) Light trucks may be designed to carry heavy loads, but drivers may not understand how to secure those loads correctly. Although this information is often contained in driver manuals, not all drivers carefully follow and read the instructions. This can cause drivers to overload their trucks, putting them at risk for tire blowouts. It can also mean that drivers may not correctly secure the cargo in their truck, which can cause a Miami car accident if the cargo spills on the road when the driver is driving.

5) Light trucks may be subject to Miami rollover accidents. Trucks have a higher center of gravity than passenger vehicles. This can make them more subject to rollovers, especially on uneven terrain and at high speeds.

Light truck manufacturers do make concerted efforts to make their vehicles safer. Today’s pickup trucks are designed to handle better and have more safety features than previous models. Nevertheless, there are some issues related to light trucks that drivers need to be aware of.

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Speed Limiters And Their Effect on Miami Truck Accidents

Published on: May 29, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

According to a study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Office of Analysis, Research and Technology, trucks equipped with speed limiters have a lower rate of accidents. According to the organization, commercial trucks equipped with the devices have a 50% lower crash rate when compared with commercial trucks not equipped with speed limiters.

Speed limiters are devices which electronically keep tabs on a truck’s speed and keep trucks form exceeding specific speeds. Also known as intelligent speed adaptation devices, speed limiters have been touted by some experts as an effective way of preventing accidents. Experts in Florida, for example, can use the devices to ensure that Miami traffic accidents are not caused by excessive speeds. This is significant because when high speed is a factor in a Miami car accident involving a large truck, the force of the accident is very likely to cause fatalities and serious injuries. Preventing trucks from speeding is also important in preventing Miami truck accidents in the first place. In many cases, truck accidents occur when drivers speed and lose control of their vehicle or travel too quickly to react in a timely manner to hazards and obstacles.

According to the FMSCA report, the crashes that would be potentially affected by speed limiters depend on the type of crash, the weather, accident location, and the collision narrative. In commercial truck accidents where speed limiters are relevant, the study found that trucks without intelligent speed adaptation devices had a crash rate of five accidents per 100 trucks each year. Those with the devices, in comparison, had only 1.4 accidents per 100 trucks annually. The report shows that for all truck collisions – not just for those where speed limiters are relevant – commercial trucks without intelligent speed adaptation devices had 16.4 collisions per 100 trucks each year while trucks equipped with the devices had a crash rate of 11 accidents per 100 trucks annually.

Partly as a result of the report, some experts would like to see legislation passed at the federal level to require that all commercial trucks be equipped with the devices. Currently, between 60 and 80 percent of trucks in the industry have the devices installed already. According to experts, ensuring that all trucks have the devices is significant because in 2011 the FMSCA released research showing that speeding was a key factor in commercial vehicle collisions. As a result, many feel that having the devices in all commercial trucks could impact the national rate of truck accidents.

While it is hoped that the devices would reduce the number of Miami truck accidents, however, the devices alone cannot prevent all accidents. Since the devices would only potentially be installed on commercial trucks, they would not prevent passenger vehicle from speeding and causing Miami traffic accidents. As well, the devices would not address other issues causing truck accidents. They would not address driver fatigue and distracted driving, for example, as well as other common causes of Miami truck accidents.

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CSA Data Could Reveal Possible Issues That Lead to Coral Gables Truck Accidents

Published on: May 24, 2012 | By Flaxman Law Group

Gathering information about truck safety and truck accidents is one of the most important ways to help prevent Coral Gables truck accidents as well as truck accidents across the country. Data gathering helps the industry make changes that improve safety. In 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) launched an initiative to gather just this type of data. The Compliance, Safety and Accountability (CSA) program gathers several types of trucking industry data, including many types of data that relate to safety compliance.

In May 2012, new CSA program data was released and it suggested some worrying trends about trucking safety. According to the data, for example, in April 2012 there were 166,810 active commercial carriers in the trucking industry, up 7.5% from the 155,240 registered in 2011. While experts may disagree about the impact of the increase, there may be some concerns about this increase when it comes to Coral Gables traffic accident statistics. More carriers can mean more trucks and therefore more traffic on the roads, which can increase the risk of accidents. More carriers also means more work for authorities charged with ensuring safety compliance. Checking on more carriers may stretch resources even further as authorities aim to ensure compliance for more companies.

Another worrying statistics released by the CSA program involves fatigued driving. The CSA program uses a statistical tool known as Behavioral Analysis and Safety Improvement Category (BASIC) scores to evaluate the performance of carriers and drivers. In April 2012, 34% of carriers who were given BASIC scores were found to have an alert for fatigued driving. In most cases, the fatigued driving was caused by violations of Hours of Service (HOS) rules. The fact that there were so many instances of fatigued driving could be bad news for Coral Gables car accidents, since studies have shown that fatigued drivers are more likely to be involved in traffic accidents.

Since the CSA program is new, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has not made firm plans about what to do with the statistics and data gathered through the program. Currently, the organization has not said that it has any plans to propose new rules based on the CSA data, for example.

In the meantime, however CSA data and other data collected about the trucking industry can perhaps at least provide a better insight into the industry – and into why Coral Gables car accidents and truck accidents occur. Information can help authorities and policy makers determine which issues require attention and which issues need more focus in order to prevent Coral Gables traffic accidents in the future.

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