| Greetings!
Autumn in New England is a magical time of year. As the nights get shorter and the days get cooler, travelers from all over come to visit our spectacular fall foliage. The kids are back in school again and festivals reign as the weekend past time in every city and town. Now is the time of year to enjoy hay rides, apple picking, and pumpkin carving!
In this month's newsletter we will share with you the recent changes made in Massachusetts regarding the texting while driving law. We will take a spin on this law and cover whether or not it actually decreases accident rates. We will cover safety tips to take while enjoying the festivities the Halloween season brings. Even more exciting, we will include Halloween trivia and fun facts. |
| MA Changes to Texting and Driving Law |
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 I'm sure we can all admit to using our cell phones while driving at some point in time. In spite of being constantly educated on the safety precautions we should take while driving, why do most people, myself included, drive while using a cell phone? It may be because we feel safe in our cars, we feel the need to be in constant touch or we all think we are better drivers than we actually are.
As of September 30, 2010, the Massachusetts ban on texting while driving is in effect. MA is the 30th state in the nation to introduce a texting ban as more states have decided to crack down on distracted drivers. While it is agreed that texting and driving is very dangerous, the question remains whether banning this activity actually makes the roads any safer.
No different than the law on seatbelts or drunk driving, people continue to engage in behavior that is dangerous, irresponsible, and careless on a daily basis. Is texting while driving any different than other forms of distracted driving?
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 Who doesn't love Halloween? The funny costumes, the parties, the CANDY, haunted houses, ghost stories, scary decorations, pumpkin pies, pumpkin beer, cider- the list is endless. These are the things most people think about when Halloween rolls around. But have you ever thought about sprucing up the insurance policy for Halloween...?
For most of you, I know when you think of Halloween, insurance is not the first thing that comes to mind. However it should be somewhere close to the top of the list. Here are a few reasons why...
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| Halloween Fun Facts and Trivia |
 Halloween did not become a holiday in the United States until the 19th century. Strict Christian traditions and lifestyles prevented this, and American almanacs of the late 18th and early 19th centuries don't include Halloween in their lists of holidays. The trans-Atlantic migration of almost 2 million Irish in the mid-1850s finally brought Halloween to the United States. Scottish emigration, primarily after 1870, also brought the Scottish version of Halloween. By the mid-1900s, Halloween had become engrained in the fabric of American society. From a commercial perspective, Halloween is now the United States' second most popular holiday (after Christmas).
1. Why was the student vampire tired in the morning?
2. Why should a skeleton drink 10 glasses of milk a day?
3. Why don't witches like to ride their brooms when they're angry?
4. Why don't skeletons like parties?
5. Why do mummies make excellent spies?
6. Why do vampires drink blood?
7. Why doesn't Dracula have any friends?
8. Why did the mummy call the doctor?
9. Why did the ghost go to the doctor?
10. Why are there fences around cemeteries? Find the answers to our Halloween trivia!>> |
Team M&J wishes you all a safe and happy Halloween!
Best Regards,
Sara |
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 Celebrating 25 Years of Awareness, Education, and Empowerment.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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What is the worst distracted driving offense?
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The staff of Murphy and Jordan are always here to answer any questions you may have. | |
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81% of people admit to texting while driving
3,339 the average texts per month a teen send
5,870 people died in car crashes in 2008
515,000 people injured in car crashes
28% of all crashes were caused by drivers ages 18-29 who were texting while driving
*Statistics are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
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Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.
Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside.
Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes. |
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