Category: Car Accidents

When roads clog up with vehicles, as they did when three car accidents occurred on Interstate 40 one day in late December, drivers are often tempted to escape the stalled chaos in untraditional ways.

But the Tennessee Highway Patrol is warning drivers against using emergency lanes or medians to merely cut out of a parking lot-esque scenario. Patience is a virtue, officers say. Staying calm can save your life, not to mention help you avoid fines or citations.

A sergeant with the Tennessee Highway Patrol says the post-Christmas accidents may have been fueled by puffed-up holiday traffic. But crossing a median or driving on the shoulder can be dangerous. Drivers who use such escape routes could face stiff penalties.

The officer also says that drivers often ignore signs to merge and wait until the absolute last moment to do so. But, he tells WBIR, “It doesn’t tell you to merge when at the end of the road. You’re supposed to merge when you see those signs.”

Waiting until the very last minute to merge could earn a driver a reckless driving citation.

Using an emergency lane to get around traffic can be particularly dangerous, he says, because ditches often have a deeper drop-off than drivers realize. And while backing up isn’t itself illegal, it is once a driver interferes with traffic.

The bottom line? It’s better to bore yourself by waiting it out than put your life at risk with an impulsive escape.

Source: WBIR, “Tennessee Highway Patrol warns using emergency lanes, medians to avoid traffic jams will cost drivers money and points on license,” Steve Butera, Dec. 27, 2011

Evading police is never a smart idea, and initiating a chase is even more foolish. Not only are there significant legal implications, but it puts you and your passengers, police officers and innocent bystanders at unnecessary risk.

A car accident resulting from a police chase in Washington County illustrates the point perfectly. It all started with an armed robbery involving two men and one woman on Sand Valley Road. They apparently fled the scene of the robbery in a red Chevy Cavalier and headed down Highway 81 South. They were chased by sheriff’s deputies.

One deputy farther down the road, near Charlie Hoss Road, was laying down a spike strip across the road to put an end to the chase. Unfortunately, the Cavalier struck him, causing him to sustain several injuries, including a broken arm and possible compound fractures, according to TriCities.com. He apparently underwent surgery and was said to be doing okay.

Fellow officers say the sheriff’s deputy was following protocol when the accident occurred.

The Cavalier eventually crashed and officers caught up with the suspects after they fled on foot. They now will face various charges of robbery, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries and evading arrest. The driver of the car who fled the scene was also charged with attempted first degree murder.

A preliminary hearing for all three suspects is set for Jan. 12. They are being held on bond ranging from $75,000 to $201,000, TriCities reports.

Source: TriCities.com, “Update: Preliminary hearing set for car chase suspects that injured officer,” Melissa Hipolit and Lizz Marrs, Jan. 2, 2012

Tennessee is one of dozens of states that ban texting while driving. A handful of states also ban the use of cellphones at all, and now the National Transportation and Safety Board wants to ban all electronic devices altogether. At least, that’s its recommendation for all U.S. states.

The board urged the ban this week, arguing that it could save lives and prevent car accidents. While the NTSB does not technically have the authority to enforce such a ban, its recommendations are followed much of the time.

According to Volunteer TV’s website, one crash that prompted the recommendation occurred in another state last year. More than three dozen people were injured in the wreck, and two people were killed, after a teenage driver texted 11 times immediately beforehand.

The NTSB also reportedly recommended banning all digital devices, including hands-free headsets. It notes that GPS systems and even the radio can be major distractions for a driver.

Even though there are laws against texting in Tennessee, one state trooper says that he sees people using cellphones while driving every day. However, he also thinks that laws discouraging cellphone use have caused some people to stop using them while driving.

One Tennessee driver says that he thinks the ban is a good idea, and that enforcement is important. When there’s a law against something, he tells Volunteer TV, “it’s common sense not to do it.”

What do you think of the ban? Will it help curb serious accidents?

Source: Volunteer TV, “NTSB: Ban all personal electronics for drivers,” Heather Haley, Dec. 14, 2011

If you think new laws prohibiting the use of a handheld cellphone while driving have curbed accidents, think again. Even though eight states (Tennessee not included) had banned drivers from using handheld cellphones as of May 2011, and 32 states have banned texting, the problem of distracted driving appears to be growing, not shrinking.

Think about it: if you’re stuck at a typical Knoxville intersection, how often do you see drivers whiz by with a cell phone plastered to their ear? According to a new federal survey, about a tenth of fatal motor vehicle accidents last year were caused by distracted driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which released the study recently, at least one in 20 drivers observed at any given moment is talking on a cellphone. Plus, one in 100 is sending a text message or using some sort of handheld device.

It’s actually quite possible that there are more offenders than that. NHTSA says it’s impossible to document every accident related to distracted driving, particularly when there is a lack of witnesses. However, authorities have been attempting to narrow data related to distracted drivers. Instead of combining data involving “careless” driving, they are targeting drivers believed to be distracted, according to a CNN article.

With new laws and measures in place, why is the problem growing? It’s hard to say, but experts agree that something must change so that these fatalities can be prevented.

Source: CNN, “Millions of drivers won’t hang up, study says,” Mike M. Ahlers, Dec. 8, 2011

Have you ever heard of graduated driver licensing? It’s an effort to gradually introduce teenagers to driving, and its aim is to reduce car accidents and injuries. Experts say it works, and now more advocates are pushing for millions of dollars in funding for such programs.

According to an article in the USA Today, a report indicates that 2,000 lives could be saved in the U.S. each year if every state instituted GDL programs. The numbers are even broken down by state. According to the report, Tennessee could see 57 lives saved per year.

There are several key elements in GDL programs, and at this point only two states have implemented all of them. Here they are:

• Minimum age of 16 for a learner’s permit

• Minimum age of 17 for a full driver’s license

• Nighttime driving restrictions beginning at 10 p.m. for drivers with intermediate licenses

• Six months before unsupervised driving

• Minimum of 30 hours of supervised driving during learner’s permit stage

• Intermediate license at age 16 ½ minimum

• Only one non-family passenger for drivers with intermediate licenses

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in this country. And for every mile driven, those ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to be involved in a crash.

While every state has some form of GDL, advocates are pushing for national funding. But, they’re facing opposition from youth groups, including the National Youth Rights Association. Time will tell whether federal lawmakers decide to make GDL a more national issue.

Source: USA Today, “Study: Phased-in teen driving privileges could save 2,000,” Larry Copeland, Dec. 6, 2011

It’s probably happened to you. You’re on your way to work, or perhaps on the way home, and the sun suddenly creeps up over a hill or past a tree and seems downright blinding. This can be extremely dangerous, and the best thing to do is slow down or pull over. When it happens someplace where it’s not possible to do those things, extreme caution is necessary.

One driver who claims to have been blinded while driving recently struck an 11-year-old boy riding a scooter. The car accident occurred in a residential neighborhood on Crest Hill Drive late last week.

The boy was apparently riding his scooter in a neighbor’s driveway when the resident arrived home in her Honda. The driver says she was blinded by the sun and didn’t see the boy when she pulled into the driveway.

After the boy was struck, he apparently became pinned under the car briefly, according to a Knoxville Police spokesperson. The boy was not wearing a helmet. According to Knoxnews.com, he was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. His injuries were described as non-life threatening.

Authorities were continuing an investigation over the weekend. Police say charges have not been filed against the driver, at least not yet.

In this case, it’s lucky the boy’s injuries were not more serious. Blinding sunlight can be a real problem on busy streets, and it’s always important to pay attention and drive carefully.

Source: Knoxnews.com, “Boy on scooter, 11, struck by motorist blinded by sun,” Nov. 18, 2011

Drivers headed out for the holiday weekend in Tennessee might notice a few extra police cars. They are aiming to prevent car accidents by cracking down on distracted drivers and focusing on all aspects of traffic safety.

According to The Cookeville Times, the program is called the Combined Message Enforcement for Tennessee (CoMET). The safety initiative, sponsored by the Governor’s Highway Safety Office and local law enforcement officials, is said to be different from previous programs, such as “Booze It and Lose It” or “Click It or Ticket.”

Rather than focus on particular traffic safety issues, the scope will be broad. Officials say the initiative is meant to target distracted driving, speeding, aggressive driving, unbelted drivers and impaired driving. Distracted driving, in particular, is one problem the force hopes to tackle.

Officers warn that people driving while impaired will not be given a warning. They will promptly be arrested. In 2009, about a third of people killed in traffic crashes in Tennessee involved drivers with a blood-alcohol content over the legal limit.

Officers are encouraging those who take medication to be careful and check labels to see if the medicine can cause drowsiness. As for distracted drivers, anyone seen texting while driving will almost certainly be flagged.

Only one other state is participating in such a campaign. Tennessee is teaming with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

As always, please drive safely this holiday season.

Source: Cookeville Times, “Watch out: more cops. More stops,” Nov. 12, 2011

Traffic cameras have been controversial for several years now. Posted at intersections to catch motorists running red lights, some say they save lives and prevent serious auto accidents. Others argue they merely generate revenue by flagging drivers who ordinarily wouldn’t be issued tickets. The practice is so polarizing that some cities are taking the cameras down altogether.

According to the Wall Street Journal, over 550 areas have installed the cameras since the early 1990s. Most major cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, have used the cameras. While the cameras have grown in popularity, officials in many areas, including Tennessee, are considering doing away with the devices.

Some believe the cameras are cost-effective and save lives because people slow down and drive more cautiously when they know cameras are present.

Others beg to differ, saying the cameras have succeeded in ticketing drivers and raising revenue, but have done little to actually reduce accidents, property damage and bodily injury. Los Angeles, Colorado Springs and Houston are among the cities that have recently deactivated the devices. Other areas, such as Albuquerque, are currently debating whether to do so.

One problem is that drivers feel blindsided when they receive a ticket in the mail. One expert says drivers tend to be more accepting of being ticketed if they are actually stopped by a police officer.

Another problem is that the system does not allow drivers to argue their case. Sometimes it can’t be proved who is driving the vehicles in question.

If the cameras really save lives, though, should that matter? What do you think? Should Knoxville keep its cameras?

Source: Wall Street Journal, “Cities blink on traffic cameras,” Nathan Koppel, Nov. 7, 2011

Firefighters usually respond to accidents rather than being involved in them. But it can happen, and a crash this week is no exception.

A Knoxville firefighter who had just gotten off a 24-hour shift apparently crossed the center line while driving home on a recent morning. Police say he veered into the path of an oncoming sport utility vehicle and hit it head-on. Both he and the other driver were injured in the car accident.

The 29-year-old firefighter had been driving on Chilhowee Drive just past 7:30 on Wednesday morning when the accident occurred. Ironically, he was rescued by his own department after the accident trapped him in his vehicle. Crews had to work for 30 minutes to free the man, who was conscious at the time. His injuries included damage to his lower extremities, according to reports.

Both the driver and the 51-year-old driver of the SUV were taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center following the accident. On Wednesday, they were both listed in stable condition, according to Knoxnews.com.

It’s unclear what caused the man’s vehicle to veer into the other lane, but it’s possible sleep deprivation was a factor. Police are continuing to investigate the crash, and no charges have been filed at this point.

Police say they know the driver of the SUV was wearing her seat belt, although they are unsure if the firefighter was wearing his at the time of the crash.

The man is a firefighter at the Chilhowee-Holston Hills Fire Station No. 16.

Source: Knoxnews.com, “Knoxville firefighter injured in head-on collision,” Don Jacobs, Nov. 2, 2011

A Knoxville woman was arrested this week for an alleged hit-and-run of a toddler on Wednesday. She says she was drinking at the time of the car accident. The woman has a history of traffic and criminal violations, including driving with a revoked license and a drunk driving conviction.

An 18-month-old was apparently hit by a car at about 5:20 p.m. on Wednesday. The owner of the Dodge Intrepid involved in the accident fled. Police later tracked the woman down, apparently determining she was the driver.

The boy, meanwhile, was taken to University of Tennessee Medical Center and was listed in stable condition, according to KnoxNews.com.

The woman was reportedly charged with driving on a revoked license and leaving the scene of an accident. More charges could be filed, since police say she admitted to drinking. Police say she has a criminal history that includes DUI, assault, disorderly conduct and public intoxication.

She apparently has traffic violations dating back to 1987 and was convicted of driving under the influence in 1993, after which her license was revoked for two years. She later pleaded guilty to driving without a license, according to KnoxNews.com.

The woman could be facing some serious charges for the most recent incident. The young toddler, meanwhile, could face a long road to recovery, and his family will likely have to deal with large medical bills and insurance claims. A qualified attorney could help them with the process.

Source: KnoxNews, “Toddler hit by car in stable condition; Knoxville woman with record charged,” Lance Coleman, Oct. 27, 2011