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Author: Anthony Proffitt

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Car Accidents

Distracted Driving vs. Drunk Driving: Which is worse?

Each year, thousands of Knoxville motorists crash their vehicles. Whether these car accidents are the result of distractions, intoxication or something else altogether, they are all preventable. Many people are aware of the dangers that are involved when alcohol and distractions are factors. But, this knowledge does not prevent them from engaging in these behaviors.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 660,000 drivers use their cellphones while on the roads during the daytime. Distracted drivers exhibit many of the same characteristics as drunk motorists.They have slower reaction times and inadequate knowledge about what is happening around them. Drivers who text and use their mobile devices take their eyes off the roads and have a significantly higher chance of crashing their vehicles. Drunk motorists also share many of the same risks, but some them do try to compensate for their impairments.

The dangers increase drastically when distracted motorists are drunk. Distractions make it harder for intoxicated drivers to safely operate their vehicles, states Science Daily. Motorists who consume alcohol and drive with distractions do not necessarily need to be drunk to have a higher risk of accidents. Drivers who drink and text endanger everyone on the roads not just themselves.

In many cases, distracted driving is worse than drunk driving. There are not as many laws, regulations and prevention measures in place to prevent motorists from using their cellphones on the roads. Currently, suspected drunk drivers face jail time, fines, driver’s license suspension and other harsh penalties. Distracted motorists do not have as many consequences to worry about until they crash their cars.

Categories
Car Accidents

Helping teens drivers to avoid distractions

Teen drivers are one of the most vulnerable groups of motorists on the roads in Knoxville. When distractions are present, their risk of collisions and injuries increase substantially. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teenagers are more likely to die from motor vehicle accidents than any other cause of death. Parents should encourage their teens to learn how to avoid distractions while driving so they can reduce their risk of car accidents and fatal injuries.

Pre-trip preparation

Many teens do not inspect their vehicles before they get into them. They should adjust all mirrors, seats, climate controls and entertainment settings before hitting the roads. Adolescent drivers should also plan their routes and check weather conditions before they start driving.

Focus on the roads

When teens get behind the wheel, they should focus all of their attention on the roads. Driving is an activity that requires a great deal of focus. Teen motorists should actively scan the roads for pedestrians, traffic signs and signals and monitor their mirrors so they can avoid obstacles, vehicles and people.

Put away electronic distractions

It is no secret that many young adult drivers overestimate their driving abilities. They become super confident and think they can drive safely while doing other things like using their cellphones. Teens should refrain from suing their cellphones and electronics. Many newer vehicles are equipped with hands-free technology that can also lead to distractions. Teen motorists should only use their electronic devices in emergency situations.

Getting teens to avoid distractions while driving may seem challenging to some parents. CNN.com reports that “51 percent of teenagers witness their parents using their mobile devices while they operate their vehicles.” Teens tend to mimic their parents driving behaviors. Parents should practice what they preach, so their teens will become safer drivers.

Teenage car accidents are frequent occurrences. Many of those situations are preventable with the proper reinforcement of good and responsible driving habits.

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

Common types of motorcycle injuries

One of the most vulnerable groups of motorists on the roads is motorcyclists. Many of them ride without proper riding gear, and they do not have the same structures to protect them as car drivers do. Motorcycle accidents are very common in Knoxville. Out of the 8.6 million of them that were on the roads in 2015, approximately 88,000 of them were injured from motorcycle crashes, states the Insurance Information Institute. As the weather continues to warm up, one can expect to see more bikers and motorcycle accidents on the roads. Bikers who are getting ready to ride should make themselves aware of the common types of injuries they face.

Legs and feet

According to RideaPart.com, “30 percent of all bikers sustain injuries to their legs and feet.” These injuries are often nonlife-threatening. But that does not make them any less serious in some cases. Broken bones and torn and damaged muscles and ligaments can result in injuries ranging from minor to severe and disabling.

Skin abrasions

Many bikers suffer from skin abrasions and road rash when they crash their bikes. Their bodies often slide along the pavement after they have fallen before coming to a complete stop. The scrapes often range from mild to severe and most commonly occur on their legs, hands, faces and backs.

Spinal cords

Motorcyclists are particularly at risk for spinal cord injuries. Their vehicles lack structures to protect their backs and spinal cords from forceful movement during collisions. Also, when motorcyclists crash, they may find themselves wedged between other objects and vehicles, landing on their heads and necks or impaled by foreign objects, resulting in damage to their spinal columns. Spinal cord injuries are often severe and can result in temporary and permanent paralysis.

Because of the structure of their vehicles, bikers should exercise caution when they are on the roads. They should also wear riding gear to minimize the risk and severity of injuries they may sustain when they collide with other vehicles.

Categories
Car Accidents

Most common types of motorist injuries

For many motorists, car accidents are a common sight on the roads in Knoxville. According to CreditDonkey.com, in 2013 alone, there were more than 5,687,000 motor vehicle wrecks. Car accident injuries vary in severity. Some people can walk away from the scenes of their accidents with minor injuries; others are not as fortunate. Some motorists who initially survive their ordeals end up dying from their injuries later on. The probability of a person dying from a car accident is 1 in 6,529, states the Thrillist.com. With the number of car accidents increasing each day, more thought should be given to the kinds of injuries that can occur.

Neck injuries

The jarring motion of car accidents can result in forceful movements of the head and neck resulting in damaged, strained and torn muscles and ligaments. People who suffer neck injuries often end up with whiplash and may also have damage to their vocal cords.

Head injuries

When cars collide with each other, the sheer force of impact is enough to force the heads of victims against windows, doors, steering wheels and the windshields of their vehicles. The force and speed of collisions often cause their brains to smash against their skulls, causing bruising, internal hemorrhaging and traumatic brain injuries. Some brain injuries may last for a short amount of time, such as concussions; others may result in permanent brain damage.

Psychological injuries

Car accidents are often scary situations. The lingering emotional effects of car accidents can cause victims to withdraw from others, avoid the outside, become depressed and angry and to abuse their medications and other substances. Many people who suffer psychologically from car accidents often benefit from counseling and professional help.

The consequences of car accidents can often linger on indefinitely. They can also lead to pain and suffering for the families of victims who did not survive. Motorists can minimize the impact of car accidents by driving safely to avoid them.

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

Ways motorists can avoid collisions with motorcyclists

Cars are much larger than motorcycles, but they are just as deadly. According to Consumer Reports, in 2015, more than 5,000 bikers died in motorcycle accidents. Many motorists in Knoxville do not pay much attention to bikers on the roads. They tend to pay more attention to other things like their mobile devices and other cars. This inattentiveness is among the many things that lead to car and motorcycle accidents, injuries and death. Many these accidents are preventable. 

Avoid blind left turns 

Motorists should pay special attention when they make left turns. They should check all their mirrors and blind spots to ensure there are no motorcyclists behind them. Many accidents occur when drivers make left hand turns without checking to see what vehicles are in front of and behind them. 

Recognizing other vehicles 

Drivers should realize that there are other types of vehicles on the roads with them. Motorcyclists are not always easy to see, but they are there. Motorists who fail to recognize the types of vehicles they are in traffic with so they can adjust their driving behaviors and actions accordingly often end up in accidents with them. 

Check before changing lanes 

“Motorcycles are so small that they can fit into the blind spots of other drivers,” states RideApart.com. This often creates problems when motorists suddenly change lanes. Sometimes they are not able to see bikers who are in the lanes, occupying the spots they want. Motorcyclists are not always able to take safe and evasive actions to avoid collisions. Drivers should also turn their heads so they can check for the presence of bikers before they switch lanes. 

Bikers and drivers can share the roads together safely. They should work together and stay mindful and respectful of the presence and actions of other motorists

 

Categories
Truck Accidents

Common factors that lead to truck accidents: Part 1

Motorists should make themselves aware of the dangers they face and create when they are on the roads with truckers in Knoxville. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, in 2015, approximately 3,852 people were killed in truck collisions.

Not giving trucks enough stopping space

Many car drivers speed and cut truckers off not realizing the risks of their actions. Trucks need more stopping room than other types of vehicles. Truckers cannot simply slam on the brakes to come to complete stops to avoid accidents. Doing so can cause them to rollover. The weight of their trucks and cargos often causes their vehicles to keep moving forward for several feet after braking. Motorists should follow and pass in front of trucks at safer distances, so truckers have sufficient stopping time to prevent accidents.

Blind spots

Many trucks and big rigs have blind spots. These blind spots make it virtually impossible for truckers to see other motorists even when their side view and rearview mirrors are properly adjusted. Drivers should stay aware of their vehicles position and the blind spots of trucks. Drivers should practice caution when driving near trucks and passing them. Motorists should avoid passing and driving along the sides of trucks if they are in their blind spots, states the Federal Motor Carrier Safely Administration. Drivers should also keep in mind that the bigger the truck, the bigger its blind spots are.

Truck accidents often happen. But some of those incidents are not due to trucker error. Some accidents are the result of carelessness from other drivers.

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Teens, alcohol and car accidents

Alcohol-related car accidents are a leading cause of death for teens in Knoxville. With warmer weather on the way, more teenagers are getting their licenses. Prom and graduation seasons are also coming up, and the roads are becoming more dangerous for young adult motorists. According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, teenage drivers who drink have a significantly higher risk of being involved in fatal crashes.

Many drunk teen motorists binge drink. They consume several drinks in a short amount of time before they drive their vehicles. Teenagers are also more likely to drink socially because they face pressure from friends. Many young drivers do not have much driving experience, and they may have lower tolerances than older drivers which is the perfect recipe for drunk driving accidents.

Parents should play an active role in deterring teens from using alcohol and driving. They should discourage their young adults from drinking by making them aware of the dangers. They should also create no tolerance rules to discourage their teens from using alcohol. Parents should monitor their teens for signs of intoxication and take their keys if necessary to keep them from driving and putting other people at risk of car accidents. Today.com recommends for parents to work with other parents to create plans and transportation arrangements that limit the amount of driving their teens do for special occasions, such as proms, graduations, celebrations and other activities.

Teens, alcohol and vehicles do not mix. Creating more awareness about the dangers teenage motorists face when they drink and drive can help to reduce the number of alcohol-related teenage car accidents that occur.

Categories
Truck Accidents

Intoxicated truckers

The number of truck drivers on the roads in Knoxville is growing every day. Because of the type of vehicles they drive and their job responsibilities, truck drivers are held to higher standards in regards to drug and alcohol use. Studies show that intoxicated truckers are one of the most dangerous types of motorists to avoid. Truck drivers cause accidents that result in catastrophic injuries for victims and long-term pain and suffering for their families.

According to Rueters.com, many big rig operators resort to using narcotics, alcohol and other substances so they can perform their jobs. Many truckers have long routes and work long hours. Some of them work for smaller companies that do not provide much flexibility or work life balance to their drivers. Truckers who use drugs, alcohol and other substances to stay awake so they can perform their jobs are not as predictable as other truck drivers. Their disregard for company policies and the law causes them to endanger other motorists who are on the roads with them.

Accidents involving regular vehicle operators and truckers are often serious. Cars are much smaller than trucks. Trucks require more stopping distance and have significantly more impact. Truck accidents are responsible for more than 100,000 injuries each year, states CNBC.com. These accidents are the result of many factors, including trucker intoxication.

There are laws and regulations in place to help deter the number of intoxicated truckers on the roads. But until better preventative measures, testing procedures and technology are in place, motorists should watch the roads for intoxicated truckers and avoid them at all costs.

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists and drowsy riding

Drowsing driving accidents are a very common occurrence in Knoxville. Motorists are not the only ones who fall asleep while they are operating their vehicles. Many bikers often become sleepy while they are on the roads. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2013, 72,000 motor vehicle accidents were caused by sleepy motorists. Drowsy driving accidents can occur at any time. But they are more likely to occur during the early morning and late evening.

It is not always possible for other motorists to know when a biker is too tired to operate his or her vehicle safely. Drowsiness is often caused by inadequate sleep, side effects of medications and intoxication. Many signs of drowsy driving mimic the symptoms of intoxication. Motorcyclists who drive while tired face the risk of serious injuries. Common signs of drowsy riding include driving too closely to other motorists, drifting between lanes, not stopping in time to avoid collisions, delayed reactions times and reduced awareness.

The feeling of drowsiness can happen fast. Many motorists are not aware that they are too tired to drive until they collide into other vehicles. Even though 97 percent of drivers and bikers are aware of how dangerous operating vehicles while sleepy is, they still do it, states Gas2.org. Bikers should avoid riding if they are not able to get enough rest and feel themselves losing focus on the roads.

Drowsy driving is preventable. Motorists should take frequent rest stops if they plan to drive more than 100 miles at a time. They should plan their routes and leave early so they have sufficient time to make it to their destinations on time.

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Daylight saving time and car accidents

Knoxville motorists should be extra cautious on the roads after daylight saving time. The streets are not as safe as they normally are because of the change in time. According to Vox.com, it causes sleep deprivation and exhaustion for many people. Many motorists are well aware of the dangers of driving while sleepy. But they may not know how much daylight saving time can alter their abilities to stay awake and alert while they are on the roads.

Daylight saving time occurs in the spring. The clocks are set ahead an hour to increase the number of hours that daylight occurs. It also increases visibility during some early morning and evening hours. Gaining an extra hour may not seem like it is enough to disrupt a person’s sleeping pattern. But there are studies that show how much a person’s brain and body functions change when they do not get enough sleep.

Many people tend to sleep in on the day that daylight saving time begins. But this does not keep them from feeling fatigued. The first Monday after the time change occurs in the spring causes an increase in fatal car accidents, states Time.com. Many of those accidents are caused by motorists whose bodies were unable to adjust to the change in time.

Motorists can protect themselves from the risk of daylight saving time car accidents by getting enough rest in the days leading up to it and afterward. They should also pay close attention to their bodies so they can avoid driving when they feel fatigued.