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Author: Anthony Proffitt

Categories
Truck Accidents

How to share the road with large trucks

As a driver in Knox County, you may see tractor trailers on the roads every day. While you may be familiar with their massive size, you may not know that driving around these vehicles can be extremely dangerous. Large trucks have unique operating mannerisms that may make it difficult for truck drivers to react to certain situations. By understanding how big rigs operate, you can increase your safety around them and lower your risk of becoming involved in a tragic truck accident.

According to State Farm, there are several safe driving practices that can protect you from becoming the next victim of a big rig collision. Trucks have large blind spots, and truck drivers may be unable to see a smaller vehicle traveling alongside them. If at all possible, you should pass a truck quickly and on the left-hand side in order to avoid becoming caught in a blind spot. If you cannot pass the truck, stay a distance behind them. Also, tractor trailers make wide turns so it is crucial that you give them room to do so.

Tractor trailers need a longer stopping distance, due to their massive weight, size and height. You should never pull out in front of a truck or switch lanes to cut them off. In addition, use your signals so that truckers know exactly where you are going. Keep in mind that bad weather conditions, such as ice, snow, rain, fog and wind, can pose a hazard for large trucks. Truckers may lose control of their rig, jack-knife or slide off of the road. Drive slow and stay away from large trucks during these times.

While you may not be able to control a truck driver’s actions, you can make sure that you are prepared to face whatever comes your way.

This is general information only and is not intended to provide legal advice.

Categories
Car Accidents

Distraction study questions the safety of hands free cellphones

While it is against the law to text and drive in Tennessee, drivers are able to talk on hand-held cellphones with no legal repercussions. Many people, however, know that doing so is dangerous, and some people have turned to using hands free cellphones as a result. A study published by AAA found, however, that even hands free cellphones can pose a serious distraction to drivers and may increase the risk of a catastrophic car accident.

Participants in the study were asked to engage in several activities while using lab equipment, driving a simulator, as well as operating a vehicle equipped with monitoring instruments. These tasks included the following:

  •          Listening to the radio
  •          Talking with a passenger
  •          Talking on a hand-held cellphone
  •          Listening to an audiobook
  •          Talking on a hands-free cellphone
  •          Using a voice activated device

Researchers measured drivers’ following distance, brake reaction time, brainwave activity and eye and head movements while they were involved in the tasks.

Study results indicated that the distractive tasks affected drivers’ response time to road hazards and decreased motorists’ ability to see everything in their driving environment. While engaged in the various tasks, drivers’ showed decreased brain activity. This means that while people are engaged in other tasks that compete for their concentration, they are not able to fully focus on driving safely.

Similar cognitive distraction studies evaluated by the National Safety Council, show that even when drivers’ hands are on the steering wheel and eyes are on the road, they are still cognitively distracted and may be in danger of causing a motor vehicle accident. Anything that deters a motorist’s attention away from the task of driving can be dangerous to everyone on the road.  

 

 

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Repeat DUI offender causes yet another accident

Once DUI offenders have had their driver’s licenses reinstated and are given back their driving privileges, many people hope that they will refrain from drinking and driving in the future. Sadly, some DUI offenders in Tennessee and across the country continue to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, and as a result, put innocent lives in danger.

A Tennessee woman received two facial fractures after becoming the latest victim of a negligent drunk driver. She was shocked that the accident was initiated by a careless drunk driver. Although there were no fatalities involved in the collision, the accident did present a cause for alarm. The woman responsible for initiating the serious car accident was not a first-time offender. In fact, officers reported that the 59-year-old woman had been arrested for drinking and driving 16 times prior to the accident, and had 15 convictions for driving on a suspended driver’s license. All of the offenses occurred within a 30-year period. She was released from jail on bail once again, and some believe that she will commit yet another offense.

When people decide to drive while intoxicated, they run the risk of causing a catastrophic accident, which can cause serious injuries and even death. People who have been injured or have lost a loved one in an accident caused by a drunk driver may want to seek assistance from a Tennessee attorney. In some cases, injured victims may be eligible for compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages from work, property damage and emotional trauma. 

Source: New York Daily News, “Tennessee woman faces 17th DUI charge after being involved in a head-on collision,” Nicole Bitette, Dec. 18, 2015. 

Categories
Car Accidents

Elderly drivers and Tennessee’s license renewal policies

While some elderly motorists in Tennessee have the ability to operate a vehicle without any cause for concern, others may pose an increased threat to other drivers on the road. As people age, certain medical conditions and changes in vision can make it difficult for them to react to certain driving hazards. Furthermore, the use of medications and slowed cognitive abilities can exacerbate this issue. As a result, many states have implemented programs that assess seniors’ driving abilities and determine whether they should be able to continue driving.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, states may require elderly motorists to take vision tests, road tests and renew their licenses more frequently than younger drivers. In Tennessee, however, this is not the case. All drivers in the state must have their licenses renewed every five years under current laws. Drivers 60 years and older may have their registration fee reduced.

A new bill may require drivers over the age of 76 to have a vision test before renewing their driver’s licenses, as reported by the Times Free Press. Even if this bill passes into law, however, Tennessee may still be trailing behind other states when it comes to monitoring senior driving. According to state statutes and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Tennessee drivers who are required to renew their licenses may take the vision and written exams as many times as they need to until they pass.

Despite these renewal policies and proposed bills, some drivers are left to wonder if the roadways may be safer with stricter driver’s license guidelines for elderly motorists in the state. 

Categories
Truck Accidents

Equipment failure in tractor trailers can be deadly

The large truck fatality rate in the U.S. has increased significantly since 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A number of these deadly accidents involving big rigs are caused by equipment malfunction. Tractor trailers must be manuvered by people who have been specially trained and licensed to operate the oversized vehicles. Yet, even the most seasoned truckers may have trouble handling a tractor trailer that is experiencing equipment malfunction.

Defective big rigs may experience problems with the following:

  •          Tires
  •          Brakes
  •          Steering mechanisms
  •          Speed monitoring controls

Even tractor trailers that have been equipped with state-of-the-art safety devices can be dangerous when those components fail to work properly.

In a study published in the National Institutes of Health, researchers evaluated large trucks that had been involved in a collision, as well as other big rigs on the road at the time an accident occurred. They found that 66 percent of the trucks that were not involved in a crash, and 77 percent of big rigs that were involved in a collision had significant mechanical defects. Many of the tractor trailers should not have been allowed out on the road in the first place.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets certain guidelines when it comes to inspecting and maintaining commercial trucks. Yet, some trucking companies and independent truckers fail to perform these necessary inspections, and as a result, continue to drive their dangerous vehicles. In 2012, officers conducted random roadside inspections of big rigs. More than 2.1 million trucks were immediately taken off of the road because they had too many equipment violations.

People who operate large trucks should be especially careful to check their equipment before setting out on the road. One small malfunction could cost someone their life. 

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

How does speed contribute to fatal auto accidents?

It is no surprise that faster cars are more likely to become involved in an auto accident than vehicles that are traveling at a slower rate of speed. Speeding vehicles require a longer distance to stop, which can make it difficult for drivers to respond to slowing traffic, objects in the road, bad weather conditions and other drivers’ behavior, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As a driver in Knoxville, you know that speeding motorists are not uncommon on state roadways. When you’re involved in an auto accident caused by someone who is violating the speed limit, however, the results can be devastating.

According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, speeding vehicles contributed to 29 percent of car accident fatalities, or 9,613 deaths nationwide in 2013. In addition, more deaths occurred on small roads as opposed to freeways and interstates.

A study reported by Vox News reported that you have a 15 percent chance of survival if hit by a vehicle traveling at a speed of 40 mph or greater. That survival rate goes up to 95 percent if you are struck by a vehicle going between 20 and 30 mph. This is due to the fact that speeding cars carry more kinetic energy, and that energy is displaced into the other vehicle and its occupants in a collision.

Despite set speed limits and regulations, vehicles continue to travel fast and endanger the lives of everyone on the road. The danger becomes substantially greater when high speeds are combined with driver distractions, fatigue, alcohol-use or bad weather conditions. Speeding drivers simply don’t have the time to assess the situation, and respond in a way that may help to save lives. As a result, you may have been injured or lost a loved one in a collision caused by a negligent driver.

This information is intended to education and should not be taken as legal advice.

 

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Night driving and teenagers: A deadly combination

Some elderly people and adults in Knoxville and throughout the state avoid driving at night because they do not feel comfortable navigating the roads in the dark. Many teens, on the other hand, seem to have a false sense of confidence when driving at night. Research from the National Safety Council shows that motorists are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal motor vehicle accident when driving after dark. The rate of teen deaths is especially high, partly due to the fact that they have a greater tendency to engage in risky behavior while driving.

One study conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute, found that certain factors, such as seat belt use, led to a significant decline in the number of people that were killed in traffic accidents. However, the rate of teens who died in nighttime driving accidents increased, as reported by the Washington Post. Researchers found that teenagers are more inclined to text while driving at night, and lack the experience necessary to make crucial decisions in hazardous situations.

For example, an experienced driver may know that it can be difficult to judge the distance and speed of an oncoming car in the dark. Rather than take a risk and pull out in front of approaching headlights, it may be best to wait. Teens are more prone to make a mistake in these types of situations, which puts them in the danger of becoming involved in an accident. This nighttime driving risk increases when teenagers are navigating the roads in bad weather conditions, speeding or driving while distracted.

According to The Governors Highway Safety Association, some states, including Tennessee, prohibit teens from driving at night because of this danger. This law is a part of the Graduated License Program, and is designed to keep the roads safe. Once novice drivers reach 17-years-old, however, they achieve full driving privileges. Hopefully by that time, teens understand that they should drive with added caution after the sun goes down. Otherwise, they put the lives of motorists, pedestrians and everyone else on road in danger.

Categories
Truck Accidents

What are the common causes of tractor trailer accidents?

If you are one of the many people in Tennessee or across the country who have been involved in a collision with a tractor trailer, you know first hand how devastating these accidents can be. These massive vehicles can cause serious property damage, physical injuries and emotional trauma. A number of these accidents may be the result of drowsy, distracted, drunk or otherwise negligent truck drivers. As a motorist navigating the busy roadways of Knoxville, it may be helpful for you to understand what the common causes of trucking accidents are. This information could help you avoid becoming involved in a big rig collision.

Truck drivers who fall asleep while behind the wheel due to lack of sleep and too much drive time may be one of the most common contributors to the high rate of tractor trailer accidents, injuries and fatalities across the state. Yet, it is not the only factor that leads to these catastrophic incidents. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the following may also result in an accident:

  •          Equipment malfunction, such as brakes, lights, steering, tires and safety devices
  •          Freight that is unevenly distributed
  •          Speeding trucks
  •          Careless driving in bad weather conditions, including ice, rain, snow, wind and fog

Poorly trained truckers can also increase the risk of tractor trailer accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported that a surprising 171,150 truckers were taken off of the road after they were found driving with too many violations, as reported by NBC News. Furthermore, more than 2.1 million tractor trailers were removed from service for having excessive inspection violations.

While you may not be able to control the driving habits of truckers on the road, you can drive defensively around big rigs to lower your risk of becoming victimized by these large vehicles.

This is general information only and is not intended to provide legal advice.

 

 

 

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Ignition interlock devices: Saving lives of Tennessee motorists

Tennessee is one of several states in the nation that require all convicted drunk drivers to have an ignition interlock device installed on their vehicles. This may be one reason why the drunk driving fatality rate in the state decreased by 3.1 percent from 2012 to 2013, as reported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Studies show that ignition interlock devices are responsible for lowering the number of people who are arrested for multiple DUIs by up to 67 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So how do these machines work to lower motorists’ risk of becoming involved in a drunk driving car accident?

Ignition interlock devices are similar to roadside breath tests, as they use a driver’s breath sample to determine his or her blood alcohol content level. If the driver’s BAC level is over a preset limit, which is usually 0.02 percent, the car will lockup for a period of time before the driver can attempt a restart. Once the vehicle starts, the driver is prompted to blow periodic breath samples into the device to ensure they are not intoxicated.

Surprisingly, up to 75 percent of DUI offenders who have had their driver’s licenses suspended continue to drive amongst motorists on the road. IIDs help to keep drunk drivers from operating a vehicle. In fact, DUI offenders who use IIDs in their vehicles are less likely to reoffend even after the device is removed. As a result, interlock devices have saved the lives of countless people in Knoxville and across the entire state. 

Categories
Car Accidents

Are hands free devices safer to use while driving?

If you are one of the many Tennessee motorists who own a smart phone, they you may have used it to talk, text, email or perform a number of other tasks while driving. Although you run the risk of getting pulled over and cited for texting and driving in the state, it is not illegal to talk on a hand-held cellphone while behind the wheel. This activity, however, is highly distractive and may lead to a catastrophic car accident. While many drivers have turned to using hands free devices to lower the risk of distraction while behind the wheel, you may have wondered whether these cellphones are really safer to use.

Researchers from the National Safety Council have found that talking on a hands free device is still a significant form of cognitive distraction. When you are engaged in a conversation while driving, your brain is unable to fully concentrate on your driving environment. Instead, your brain tends to bounce back and forth between the two tasks, leaving moments where you are not focused on driving at all. As a result, you are less likely to respond to certain hazards, including pedestrian crosswalks, traffic signals, stop signs, objects in the road, bad weather conditions and other negligent motorists.

You may be safer using a hands free cellphone than a hand-held cellular device while driving, as hand-held devices also create manual and visual distractions. However, even a hands free device does not come without certain risks. Your best bet is to avoid using a cellphone while driving altogether.

This information is only intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.