Author: Anthony Proffitt

Women at higher risk of car accidents

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date October 15, 2016

As the number of motorists on the roads in Tennessee rise, so does the number of car accident situations. According to the NY Times, recent research shows that even when seatbelts are used, male drivers are less likely to be involved in car accidents than women are. Safety features play a role in how well protected women are when they are involved in collisions. The safety features on vehicles are not designed to offer women the same protections as men because of the difference in their physical characteristics, resulting in a higher incidence of injury.

In another study, it was determined that the risk of being involved in car accidents and dying from accident-related injuries for women declined as they got older. Male motorists who were in between the ages of 65-74 years of age had a 1.4 higher risk than women from the same age group of being fatally wounded in car wrecks, states USA Today. The risk for fatal car crashes was almost the same for both genders once they reached the age of 70. Female motorists who were age 35 and up had a disadvantage when compared to male drivers. However, this disadvantage declined with age.

There are several factors that can affect a driver’s ability to survive car crash-related injuries. Women drivers are not as strong or large as their male counterparts. Their age also plays a significant role. Female motorists are more likely to die from being in car crashes if they are in the 21-30 year-old age group. Males in the same age group had a 29.2 percent lower chance of dying from fatal motor vehicle crashes.

Women drivers may have a higher risk of car crashes. However, they can lower their risk for these incidents by paying attention to the road, extending proper road courtesies and using defensive driving tactics when appropriate.

Truck Accidents

Distracted truck drivers

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date October 13, 2016

Distracted driving is a rising epidemic in Tennessee that is not exclusive to regular motorists. Not only do truck drivers endanger themselves, they also put pedestrians and motorists at risk for harm. Distractions like talking and texting on cellphones while driving can cause truckers to overlook up to 50 percent of everything that is going on around them, states TransForce. This includes pedestrians, other motorists and traffic signs and lights.

According to TruckerMagazine.com, each year, distracted commercial driving accidents result in hundreds of thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths. To reduce the frequency of those incidents, The Department of Labor and Occupational Safety& Health Administration has introduced some new guidelines and regulations to improve truck driver safety. With the creation of the “Distracted Driving Initiative”, more focus can be given to preventing commercial vehicle operators from engaging in behaviors that distract them from driving.

Commercial motorists may feel the temptation to engage in this risky kind of behavior because they spend long hours on the road and often end up feeling bored. They may feel lonely or are in need of some type of side activities to help keep them awake and somewhat focused on the task. Due to the nature of their jobs and the type of vehicle and cargo they may be hauling, truck drivers cannot afford to be distracted in any kind of way. When they do engage in distracted driving, it usually a combination of the three kinds; visual, cognitive and manual.

Commercial vehicle operators who drive distracted should remember that they are not just putting themselves at risk for accident, injury and death, they are also compromising their livelihood. They are also increasing the chances of their employers being held liable. To help mitigate the risks, employers are encouraged to implement processes and regulations that discourage and ban distracted driving behaviors, such as texting.

Drunk Driving Accidents

The impact of drunk driving

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date October 7, 2016

The impact of drunk driving in Tennessee has far reaching consequences for all who are involved and their immediate families. Driving while under the influence of alcohol is not an action that should be taken lightly, nor is it one that should be encouraged. According to Hearts for Families, drunk driving causes ripple effects. These effects can be both short-term and long-term.

Emotional Costs

The emotional impact from drunk driving incidents can last long after the situation has occurred. When there is a loss of life or severe injury, the feelings of anger, depression and anxiety may linger on indefinitely. The victims of these situations and the drunk drivers can become so overridden with guilt that it manifests into anger and other negative feelings that can perpetuate the cycle and quite possibly lead to future drunk driving occurrences.

Financial Implications

Drunk driving accidents often create financial burdens for all parties that are involved. Victims and their families may have to deal with medical bills, lost wages and other expenses. Drunk drivers may find themselves facing higher insurance premiums, legal fees, liability expenses, repair costs, rehabilitation bills and a lower credit score.

One percent of non-drunk driving motorists who are involved in fatality-related car wrecks are seven times less likely to have prior DUI convictions than seven percent of drivers who have a 0.08 percent or higher blood alcohol content, states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Every 53 minutes, a person dies from being involved in a drunk driving accident every day.

Motorists face all sorts of risks when they are on the road. Drivers who operate their vehicles while they are intoxicated are putting everyone at risk of having to deal with the consequences of their decisions.

Truck Accidents

Truck accidents

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date October 5, 2016

Truck accidents are on the rise in Tennessee. Drivers of semi -trucks and big rigs often spend many hours behind the wheel. Due to the nature of their jobs, many truck drivers find themselves engaging in unsafe driving behaviors in an effort to fulfill their duties. However, the number of truck driving incidents is decreasing. Due to new policies and laws in the trucking industry and oversight from the government and federal officials, the number of truck accidents that occurred from 2007 to 2010 declined by 25 percent, states uShip.

Causes of truck accidents

There are many reasons why truck drivers are involved in accidents. They could be distracted by something or someone inside of their vehicles while they are operating them. Semi-drivers may not be too familiar with the roads they are traveling on. They may also use illegal and improper driving maneuvers that cause other drivers to try to compensate for their actions. Primary causes of truck accidents involve semi-drivers being too tired to pay full attention to the road, their vehicle and other motorists; and driving too fast without regard for road conditions.

The statistics

According to a study in Science Daily, eight percent of all traffic on the highways is from trucks. 11 percent of highway accidents involve commercial vehicles. 4,500 people die each year from injuries they sustained from being involved in truck accidents. When the number of trucks on the road increases and the traffic volume of other vehicles decreases, the number of truck crash incidents rise. So does the severity of those accidents.

Truck drivers can take certain measures to reduce their chances of being involved in a crash. Taking frequent breaks, getting training for their vehicles and using safe driving behaviors can help to keep them and everyone else who is on the road safe.

Car Accidents

What to do if I am involved in a hit-and-run accident?

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date October 1, 2016

Hit-and-run accidents are a common occurrence in Tennessee. However, the thought of being involved in one may leave you with questions about what you should do. According to InsuranceHotline.com, victims of hit-and-run accidents often become frustrated because they are left to deal with the aftermath of these incidents. Giving in to those negative feelings is not recommended because action still needs to be taken to minimize any losses and injuries.

Once the accident is over, you should stay at the scene. Try to gather as much information as you can about the other driver. You will need an accurate description of the driver, their vehicle, license plate and the make and model of their car. You will also need to be able to describe to the best of your ability the events that lead to the accident occurring. This information is necessary for you to file a police report. Filing a police report is crucial because it can help to absolve you of any responsibility and is necessary if you expect your auto insurer to take care of the damages.

If you did not witness the incident, but find that your vehicle is damaged, take pictures to document the scene. Look for witnesses who saw what happened and contact the police so they can come out and take your statement for the report.

If you are inside of your vehicle during the accident, make sure your vehicle is no longer moving, put it in park and turn on your hazard lights. Quickly assess the scene and check yourself and any fellow passengers for injury. Contact the police and emergency medical personnel. If you are able to get out of your vehicle, do so when it is safe. You should put up road flares to alert other drivers of the situation so they can maneuver safely out of the way to prevent further crashes, injuries and to make it easier for law enforcement and medical responders to arrive at the scene.

As frightening and confusing as this type of experience can be, try to remain calm and level-headed. The actions you take immediately afterward can determine your outcome.

Truck Accidents

How can I prevent driver fatigue?

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date September 29, 2016

Fatigued drivers are not just a danger to themselves, they can cause harm to other motorists who are on the road in Tennessee. With the rate of fatigued drivers increasing, you may be wondering how you can fight driver fatigue. Fatigued driving involves motorists who are sleepy, drowsy and less alert while they are on the road. According to Drop It and Drive, there are several actions you can take to stay awake when you are behind the wheel.

Before you get ready to travel, you should consider drinking some coffee. Coffee is in moderation may be healthy for you. The caffeine in it can help give you the boost of energy you need to stay alert while you are driving. You should avoid eating before you hit the road. If you must have something, make sure that it is light so it will not bog down your digestive system. If you consume a heavy meal immediately before driving you may feel sluggish and tired which will affect your alertness and safety while you are on the road. If possible, allow a sufficient amount of time to go by before you drive after consuming a heavy meal.

If you are going to be driving for longer than 20 or 30 minutes, you should allow for extra time when you are planning your commute. You want to incorporate enough breaks to give you the opportunity to thoroughly stretch, move around and take in some fresh air so you can wake up and feel more alert. If you are still feeling tired or fatigued after a few moments, then you should take a short nap so you can refresh yourself.

In addition to the above suggestions, you should avoid using cruise control and allowing your vehicle’s cabin to become too warm. You want to be comfortable, but not too comfortable to the point that you may fall asleep.

It is not uncommon for fatigue to set in even if you are not tired when you are driving for long intervals on the road. However, making preparations before you get into your vehicle and taking preventative measures while you are driving can help you to fight driver fatigue and keep you getting into car accidents.

Car Accidents

Fall season driving dangers

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date September 23, 2016

Motorists in Tennessee need to be able to identify when drivers are driving drunk so they can take preventive actions to avoid them. Drivers who engage in intoxicated driving are not only a danger to themselves, they are a danger to their passengers and other motorists who are on the road. Relying on law enforcement and the decision-making skills of drivers who drink are not sufficient enough to prevent this type of behavior from occurring. By learning what actions and behaviors drivers tend to exhibit when they are intoxicated, the roads can become a safer place.

According to CDL Life, some of the less obvious signs of drunk driving are the use of wrong turn signals and failing to signal at all; driving much slower than posted speed limits and flow of traffic and excessive use of brakes and tailgating. The more obvious indicators that a driver has had too much to drink include drinking while driving and swerving on the road.

Motorists are not encouraged to follow drunk drivers but can do so if it is absolutely safe enough for them to do so, states The Press Democrat. They should be prepared to describe to the authorities specific driving behaviors that the person they are reporting is exhibiting. Information that can help law enforcement to catch these offenders include the direction of travel and the color, model, make and license plate of the drunken motorist’s vehicle. Drivers who suspect other motorists of drunk driving should pull over to the side of the road to remove themselves from harm’s way before contacting the police if they are not able or unwilling to follow the suspected drunken driver.

Motorists who are able to recognize the signs of drunk driving are able to keep themselves from becoming involved in motor vehicle accidents that are caused by them.

Drunk Driving Accidents

Signs that a driver is drunk

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date September 21, 2016

Motorists who are able to recognize the signs of drunk driving are able to keep themselves from becoming involved in motor vehicle accidents that are caused by them.

Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

What factors increase the likelihood of a fatal motor accident?

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date September 18, 2016

As you leave your home and set out for the open road, the last thing on your mind is getting fatally injured in a serious car accident. No one really thinks that they are going to get hurt or killed in a collision, and as a result, many people fail to take certain precautions when it comes to protecting their lives, as well as the lives of others on the road. There are several factors that can increase your chances of becoming involved in a deadly auto accident in Tennessee. By knowing what these factors are, you may be able to avoid them and possibly save a life in the process.

One of the easiest ways to prevent a fatal car accident is to wear your seat belt. It’s not a fallacy that wearing a seat belt saves lives and can keep you from sustaining serious injuries or even being killed in an accident. According to eHow.com, speeding is another common cause of car accidents, and is one that drivers can easily control. It is especially important to slow down while driving in bad weather conditions, which is yet another factor in deadly accidents.

In addition to these factors, the following may also cause fatal car accidents:

Drug and alcohol use
Driving while distracted
Rollovers
Medical conditions
Debris in the road

As a driver, you should make sure that you fully aware of your surroundings and concentrating on the roads at all times. In a split second, an object in the road or an incoming email can cause a catastrophic collision that you may not walk away from.

Car Accidents

Make sure that your vehicle is ready for winter weather

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date September 16, 2016

As the hot summer days begin to cool and the leaves begin to turn the landscape into a beautiful colorful masterpiece, car owners should start thinking about winter-proofing their vehicles. Winter weather conditions, such as snow, ice, rain, sleet, fog and winds can spell disaster for motorists in Tennessee and across the U.S. It only takes a small oversight or a mechanical system defect for a mishap to occur. Not only do these problems endanger the lives of car owners and their passengers, but they put other peoples’ lives at risk as well.

According to Today.com, there are several crucial elements to performing a pre-winter car inspection. These include the following:

Change the windshield wiper blades to ensure a clean swipe.
Get the right type of oil that won’t thicken in colder climates.
Make sure that the tire pressure is adequate as air pressure tends to drop in cold temperatures.
Consider snow tires for better traction and stability in bad weather conditions.
Top off the vehicle’s liquids, such as antifreeze, coolant and windshield wiper fluid.

It is important that car owners keep certain items in their vehicles as well, according to the Automobile Association. In addition to keeping a blanket and a first-aid kit in the car in case a hazardous situation occurs, people should make sure they have an ice scrapper, flashlight, rock salt and tire chains if they are going to be driving in the mountains.

A basic tune-up from a trusted mechanic can also help to ensure that people have not overlooked essential components of the vehicle, such as the steering system, hoses, belts, spark plugs, ignition fuel filters and emission filters.