Author: Anthony Proffitt

Alleged street racing leads to serious crash injuries

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date March 5, 2012

Racing on public streets is dangerous for a lot of reasons. Drivers who do it are not only putting their own life in danger, but the lives of nearby motorists as well.

Two young drivers were street racing in Knoxville recently, according to witnesses. That apparently led to a head-on accident that severely injured two people.

The accident happened on State Route 394 in Blountville recently. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety, witnesses say two juveniles in separate vehicles were racing on a recent afternoon. One of the vehicles, a Honda Accord, apparently passed a slower vehicle and veered into oncoming traffic, crashing head-on with a Chevrolet pick-up truck driven by a 62-year-old man from Kingsport. Both he and the young man sustained injuries.

Charges are pending an investigation by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, according to the Times News.

The pickup truck driver’s wife says the man was hospitalized for several days. He suffered a variety of injuries, including a broken bone above his ankle that protruded from his skin. He also suffered several broken ribs, among other injuries. He was being treated at Bristol Regional Medical Center.

The young driver, who is a 17-year-old high school student, was injured as well. He was in a medically induced coma at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. He apparently required at least two days of surgery for treatment of his injuries. His most serious injury was thought to be a tear to his aorta.

Source: Times News, “Juvenile victim of Blountville crash remains in coma, second victim still hospitalized,” Rain Smith, March 1, 2012

Motorcycle Accidents

Changes to Tennessee helmet law left behind

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date March 1, 2012

It’s a question debated by motorcyclists and safety advocates alike: Should motorcycle riders have a choice when it comes to wearing a helmet? A recent bill that would have ended helmet laws for those over 21 was withdrawn by state lawmakers this week.

That means that motorcyclists who enjoy the freedom of riding without helmets have experienced a setback. But safety advocates, as well as some state lawmakers, believe that helmets really do save lives when motorcycle accidents occur.

Many motorcyclists simply don’t want restrictions regarding the way they ride, despite studies that have shown the severe brain trauma that can result from accidents in which riders aren’t wearing helmets.

One Tennessee rider says he always wears a helmet. Once, he went around a curve too fast and landed on his head on a gravel portion of a road. He thinks his helmet probably saved his life.

He’s not alone, but others simply think helmets block their vision. As one rider tells Volunteer TV, “Helmets are vision impairing. When you have a helmet coming up to here, your peripheral vision is shot.” Others say helmets take the fun and spontaneity out of riding, and others just don’t want the government telling them what they can and cannot do.

Others argue that it’s not worth the risk. Even at low speeds, motorcyclists can suffer severe brain injuries if they are involved in an accident, many of which are long-lasting.

Whether riders like it or not, laws are not changing for the time being.

Source: Volunteer TV, “Lawmakers pull bill; abandon changes Tennessee helmet law,” Sara Shookman and Kate Burgess, Feb. 28, 2012

Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Safety advocates alarmed by increase in teen driving deaths

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date February 28, 2012

Recently we shared a post about predictors of when teens could be involved in car crashes. Now a new study is suggesting that teen traffic deaths actually increased in the U.S. in the first half of 2011. If the numbers stayed that way in the second half of the year, it would be the first such yearly increase in several years.

Safety advocates are concerned with the numbers, and for good reason. There were 211 fatal car accidents involving teenager drivers in the first half of 2011. According to a New York Times article, fatal crashes involving 16-year-olds increased from 80 to 93 when compared with the year before. There were 118 deadly accidents involving 17-year-old drivers, up from 110 compared to the first half of 2010.

So, why is this happening after so many years of decline? One possible explanation is the improving economy. While the tough economy may have prevented some teens from paying to get their license or from purchasing gas, the gradual turnaround could mean that more teens are driving regularly for the first time.

A chief scientist with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also believes the effects of graduated licensing laws, which are designed to protect teens, may be wearing off. He views the new data as a “wake-up call” to the states that saw an increase in teen traffic deaths. Overall, 23 states reported increases, while 19 saw decreases and eight reported no change.

More could be done, the scientist says, noting that every state could institute improvements that would help protect teen drivers.

Source: New York Times, “Fatalities among teenage drivers rose in first half of 2011, study finds,” Tanya Mohn, Feb. 16, 2012

Truck Accidents

Tennessee DOT aims for faster accident cleanup

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date February 24, 2012

When a big crash on the road in front of you occurs, it can not only be time-consuming to get around, but it can prove dangerous for drivers who don’t see it. Long delays that have left drivers virtually stranded after car accidents in Tennessee, and Knox County in particular, recently have led the Tennessee Department of Transportation to aim for faster cleanups.

A truck accident late last year, for example, left some drivers stranded for 12 hours overnight. That accident, which involved a potato truck on Interstate 40, prompted the commissioner of TDOT to issue a public promise to make cleanups faster.

He says changes have been implemented and guidelines have been set to avoid that type of situation in the future. Everyone’s responsibilities are said to be more “written out” so everyone knows what to do in the event of an accident. A TDOT spokesperson says that communication is key when these crashes occur.

One particular goal is to have all accidents cleared within 90 minutes. That may seem like a far cry from the 12 hours cleanup efforts took after the potato truck crash.

The goal is to not only cut down on time that delays other drivers, but to help ensure their safety as well. Perhaps the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security sums it up best. He tells Volunteer TV, “We have an obligation to the people of this state and the motorists traveling our roadways to improve our operations and communication.”

Source: Volunteer TV, “Plan released on how to clear accidents faster,” Kyle Grainger, Feb. 16, 2012

Car Accidents

Data shows teen driving habits can be predictor of car crashes

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date February 21, 2012

If the results of a new study are any indication, parents shouldn’t just brush it off when they notice their teenage children making sharp turns or braking abruptly when they drive. It shouldn’t be surprising, but the study finds that this kind of driving pattern often leads teens to be involved in car accidents.

Researchers with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development used cameras and computers to determine g-force events while teens drove. The study followed 42 new teen drivers across an 18-month period, according to a Reuters Health article.

The study revealed that an increase in g-force events, such as sharp turns and screeching halts, led to an increase in car accidents or near crashes. Of the 68,000 driving trips the teens took, 37 involved crashes. There were also 242 incidents that nearly led to accidents.

What researchers took away from the study is that teens’ driving patterns can be predictors of whether or not they will be involved in accidents. That means parents should follow their instincts if they feel their son or daughter is developing some bad driving habits.

One thing parents can do is give their children feedback about their driving if they notice anything amiss. They can also ask them not to drive in cases of extreme weather until they get a little more experience behind the wheel. A more extreme measure might be purchasing an electronic device that can give feedback about a teen’s driving, although they are expensive and not necessarily practical.

Source: EmpowHer.com, “Risky starts and stops predict teen crashes,” Feb. 20, 2012

Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

State upholds firing of trooper who drive past deadly wreck

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date February 16, 2012

We recently wrote a post about a state trooper being sued by the family of a man who died in a serious car wreck. They’ve claimed the trooper was pursuing the man and didn’t bother to stop to render aid when he crashed into a tree. The trooper apparently drove past the crash and pulled over, returning several minutes later.

The trooper was ultimately sent a letter of termination at the end of January. He appealed that decision, but the firing was upheld this week by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, according to WATE’s website.

After the November crash, investigators decided the trooper did in fact fail to stop and give aid to the man after his car crashed. While the chase itself was determined to be in accordance with the policies of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the trooper’s actions after the pursuit, which are the subject of the family’s lawsuit, are what led to his dismissal.

Sources say the ruling is based on the trooper’s apparent violations of Human Resources policies, as well as the rules and policies of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

The trooper will be relieved of duty as of Feb. 20, although he can appeal the most recent decision. It would appear that the THP is firm in its stance, however. According to WATE, the commissioner of the Department of Safety says that the trooper’s conduct after the crash “was a poor representation of the honorable men and women who serve on the Tennessee Highway Patrol.”

Source: WATE, “Department of Safety upholds termination of highway patrol trooper,” Feb. 14, 2012

Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Accident shows dangers of driving in construction zones

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date February 13, 2012

A tragic accident in Sullivan County last week shows how hazardous it can be to be in a construction zone, and not just for drivers. While motorists must be aware of nearby equipment and particularly the workers operating the equipment, construction workers also need to keep an eye out for their own safety.

The car accident happened on Highway 75 near Sam Gammon Road. In the area there is a highway expansion project, where construction crews are widening the road in Washington and Sullivan counties, according to TriCities.com.

A little after 3 p.m. on a recent afternoon, a woman driving a 1997 Honda Accord reportedly collided with a construction worker who was carrying a 15-foot pipe on his shoulder. The pipe apparently obscured his vision and he did not see the vehicle coming.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the 49-year-old man died from his injuries. The man, who was from Hampton, worked for Summers Taylor Inc., whose crews were performing the road widening.

After performing an investigation, the THP reportedly decided not to file charges against the woman because the worker walked into the path of her vehicle while his vision was obstructed by the pipe.

The driver was not injured in the accident.

In construction zones, it’s always best to use caution and slow down to directed speed limits. In cases like this, a driver might not be able to avoid an accident, but the risk of injury is definitely lowered when traveling at a lower speed.

Source: TriCities.com, “Update: No charges will be filed against driver in Hwy 75 construction worker death,” George Jackson and Josh Smith, Feb. 9, 2012

Car Accidents

Study shows parents not consistent with safety when carpooling

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date February 9, 2012

Think back to when you were a child. When you rode in the car of a friend’s parent, did they have the same safety standards as your own parents? Did they ever say to you, “Oh, don’t worry, you don’t have to wear a seatbelt?” If so, did you tell your parents?

A new study shows that parents are not always consistent with their children’s safety when it comes to carpooling or road-sharing. They should be, however: Sadly, car accidents are the leading cause of death for those between the age of 3 and 14.

The number of deaths can be reduced significantly if children are wearing proper restraint devices, including seatbelts, and if they are in child safety seats. Using such seats can reduce infant deaths by as much as 71 percent.

According to EmaxHealth, a study conducted by a pediatrician took a close look at 681 parents. Many of the questions concerned child restraints. 76 percent of parents with children between the ages of 4 and 8 used child safety seats. However, only 79 percent of those that use the seats said they consistently asked another driver to use a seat for their child when carpooling or ride-sharing.

Another interesting statistic is that only 55 percent of respondents would have their child in a safety seat if the child’s friend was not using one. Clearly, carpooling creates inconsistency for parents, and that’s a real problem. Every child needs to be buckled up in a child safety seat, no matter the circumstance, in order to prevent serious injuries.

Source: EmaxHealth, “Parents not consistent about safety when carpooling,” Denise Reynolds, Jan. 30, 2012

Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Family of man who died in crash sues trooper

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date February 6, 2012

In a bizarre accident in Tennessee last year, a man crashed into a tree after a chase with a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper. The man died in the auto accident, and now his family is saying the trooper drove right by the man’s vehicle without checking on his condition for at least several minutes. The family is suing the THP trooper for $10 million.

The incident happened last November. The man was apparently traveling at about 80 mph in a 40 mph zone and was being pursued by the officer. Volunteer TV’s website reports that the trooper’s “dash cam” video shows the ensuing events.

The chase didn’t last long and ended when the man crashed into the tree. The man’s family claims the video shows the trooper driving past the man’s car, where he was injured inside. After that he apparently pulled over farther up the road and waited for several minutes while listening to dispatchers.

When the trooper returned to the man’s car, it was on fire. Volunteer TV’s story says that the man ran toward the vehicle with a fire extinguisher “just to make it look good” for the media. The autopsy apparently revealed the man died instantly in the crash, but the man’s family might argue there was no way the officer could have known that.

No criminal charges were filed relating to the crash. The trooper, however, has faced several unrelated disciplinary actions since joining the THP in 2002.

Source: Volunteer TV, “A Knoxville family sues THP trooper for $10 million,” Sharee Gilbert, Feb. 2, 2012

Car Accidents

Teen driver arrested for hit-and-run that injured boy

Post author By Anthony Proffitt
Post date February 2, 2012

Patience is a virtue. That’s true in many aspects of life, and driving is no exception. A Knoxville woman was arrested earlier this week after she apparently tried to drive around a group of children crossing a street. She ended up striking a 6-year-old boy and leaving the scene of the accident.

The car accident occurred on the 300 block of McConnell Street outside a local Boys and Girls Club, according to KnoxNews. A spokesperson for the Knoxville Police Department says the 18-year-old woman attempted to drive around the group of children instead of waiting for all of them to cross.

As she maneuvered her Chevy Impala through the area, she apparently struck a young boy and then fled the scene. The boy sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for treatment.

Police were able to identify the driver and later located her at her apartment on Riverside Drive in Knoxville. She’s facing various charges, including reckless driving, driving without insurance, driving without a license, and leaving the scene of an accident.

In this case, it’s lucky the boy was okay and there were other people around to help him. If he had been alone or in a secluded area, the outcome might have been different. Leaving the scene of a crash that could potentially leave people injured is not only irresponsible and dangerous, but can have serious consequences for all involved. Please drive safely.

Source: KnoxNews.com, “Knoxville driver charged in hit-and-run after striking 6-year-old boy,” Jan. 30, 2012