Category: Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

A major source of injury for kids in Knoxville is car accidents. Many parents inadvertently risk their children’s safety by not taking extra precautions before they hit the roads. Vehicles are equipped with technology and mechanical devices to help protect the occupants inside in case of collisions. Experts recommend the use of car seats to protect young vehicle occupants. However, they are not enough to keep kids from becoming hurt and dying in car accidents. According to NPR.org, improper car seat and seatbelt use affect 20 percent of children in fatal motor vehicle accidents. Parents should learn how to properly restrain their children.

Here are some car seat safety tips to help reduce the risk of harm to children. 

Car seat selection and use 

Parents should take their kids’ age, size and weight into consideration when shopping for car and booster seats. Car seats are designed to offer kids the maximum protection from car accidents. “Babies and young toddlers should sit in rear-facing seats for as long as possible,” states Upworthy.com. There is the option to switch them to front-facing seats once they turn two years old. However, rear-facing seats offer more cushion and protection for their bodies. 

Check car seat straps 

Parents should adjust their kids’ car seat straps so they are snug and tight. Children should not be able to move around freely in their seats because their straps are loose. Kids should also not wear coats or bulky clothing when they are in car seats. 

It is necessary to secure car seats to vehicles to keep them and their occupants from becoming projectiles. Parents should review the instructions for LATCH and seat belt attachment. They can also benefit from visiting their local law enforcement agencies to have their vehicles and car seat installation techniques reviewed. 

By taking a more thorough approach when installing their children’s car seats, parents can protect them from the dangers of car accidents. They should also drive safely, stay attentive to the roads and practice proper seat belt use themselves.

When car accidents happen in Knoxville, many people do not realize how much of a risk they pose to children. Kids under the age of 15 are more likely to die from unintentional injuries they sustain from car accidents, states NYTimes.com. There are many factors that contribute to their deaths during motor vehicle wrecks. But the most primary reason children are at risk of dying in car accidents is the improper use of seat belts. 

Here is a brief overview on fatal car accidents involving children. 

Factors that contribute to childhood car accident deaths 

Young children must wear seatbelts, be properly restrained in approved car seats and ride in the rear seats of vehicles so they can stay safe when car accidents occur. When drivers fail to check their young passengers to ensure they are properly restrained, their risk of injury and death skyrocket tremendously. According to a recent study on NPR.org, the car accident fatality rate for children who were not sitting in child restraint systems, the back seats of cars and wearing seatbelts was 43 percent.

Motorists can help lower the fatality rate for kids who are involved in car accidents by making sure their young passengers are sitting in the right areas of their vehicles. They should learn their local child safety restraint laws to ensure they are following them. Drivers should also double check their young companions’ seat belts and car seats to ensure they are properly secure before they get behind the wheel. Other ways they can protect their young passengers include driving defensively, avoiding distractions, staying focused on the roads and avoiding aggressive and drunk drivers.

Bus accidents in Knoxville get little attention but should be on the forefront of everyone’s minds. Bus accidents are a lot more common than many people seem to think. In 2015, there were 261 fatal bus crashes., states the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Victims of bus crashes are often passengers, motorists and pedestrians. Regardless of who is at fault in these accidents, the victims often experience life-changing injuries and long recoveries. 

Even if you do not use public transportation often because you drive, you do share the roads with bus drivers. Learn about some common causes of bus wrecks so you can avoid them. 

Reckless driving 

Car operators are not the only motorists who engage in reckless driving. Sometimes bus drivers do it too. Bus operators are under pressure to stay on schedule and meet deadlines. These factors can result in them speeding, tailgating and engaging in other aggressive driving behaviors that put themselves, their passengers and other drivers on the roads at risk for accidents and injuries. 

Fatigued drivers 

Some bus drivers work long shifts and may forgo their breaks because of staffing and work issues. The long hours they spend transporting passengers and the monotony of the road can cause them to feel fatigued and less alert than they should be. According to a study posted in Metro-Magazine.com, commercial vehicle drivers have a 56.48 percent chance of crashing their vehicles when they are tired or fatigued. Drivers of any vehicles who cannot focus, concentrate or remain alert are dangerous to everyone on the streets. 

Rebellious passengers 

Not all people who ride buses conform to the rules and expectations that they should remain calm, courteous and well-behaved. Some passengers become unruly and cause disruptions that result in bus drivers becoming distracted while they are operating their vehicles. 

The above list of crash contributors is not all inclusive. Other common issues that can result in bus wrecks include driver intoxication, distractions and defective equipment. Many of these driving safety hazards are avoidable with preparation and proper precautions.

Summer is the time of year where many people take to the roads to travel in Knoxville. It is also the time of year where the number of teen drivers on the roads is at its highest. Many people do not realize that the “rate of fatal teen car accidents increases by 15 percent during the summer,” states WBIR.com. Teen motorists are already a high-risk group of drivers. 

It is a common belief that their lack of practical driving experience is the primary reason they end up in car accidents. However, according to a study posted in AAA Newsroom, “a leading cause of adolescent motor vehicle crashes is distraction.”

• Young adult motorists have a higher likelihood of using their cellphones and smart mobile devices in the minutes leading up to their crashes.

• Teens drivers who have passengers are more likely to talk, play and focus on them instead of keeping their full attention on the roads.

• Many young vehicle operators reach for items and use the functions on their vehicles infotainment systems instead of keeping their eyes on the roads and their hands on the steering wheels. 

Many adolescent motorists do not realize or care about the dangers they face when they are on the roads. Other leading causes that contribute to teen car crashes include speeding, not wearing seatbelts and reckless driving behaviors. 

There are ways to decrease the risk of teenage car accidents. Parents should stop letting their teens drive without adult supervision. Teens should become more aware of the dangers they face and how their actions can affect them and others. Teens should also avoid distractions so they can make better driving decisions to avoid car accidents. 

Many Knoxville motorists are finalizing their plans for Memorial Day. According to CNN.com, Memorial Day weekend is a very risky time for motorists to be on the roads. There are more drivers on the roads and an increase in traffic accidents. Many of these accidents are the result of tired drivers who spend too much time on the roads, alcohol use and distractions. There are also more young drivers on the roads who lack driving experience. 

With the holiday quickly approaching, anyone who plans to travel should make themselves aware of the dangers they face. Here are some ways they can avoid summertime car accidents. 

Drive defensively 

With all of the hazards on the roads, motorists should always drive defensively, states Drive-Safely.net. They should not assume that other drivers are going to drive properly and follow all traffic signs and rules. It is not always easy to predict the actions of other motorists or driving conditions that can affect the safety of others. Driving defensively can enable motorists to plan their actions out in advance so they can avoid potential accident-causing hazards, such as vehicle malfunctions, pedestrians, animals and reckless drivers. 

Stay focused 

Some drivers may become distracted from spending too much time driving. They may feel like using distractions to keep themselves alert and awake. Distracted motorists are a very big danger on the roads. They cannot anticipate the actions of other drivers and maneuver safely around objects, pedestrians and animals that may end up on the roads. They are also unable to compensate for any driving errors that are made by themselves and other motorists. People who do not stay focused on the roads may also miss crucial warning signs that can alert them to changing traffic and road conditions and detours. 

The roads may be busier during the summer and filled with more dangers. But drivers who learn about those dangers and adjust their driving behaviors to avoid them can reduce their risk of car accidents.

The temperatures are heating up, and many motorists on the roads in Knoxville are newly licensed drivers. Teenagers face the highest risk of injury and death on the roads. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that drivers who are 20 years old and older are three times less likely to die in car crashes than teenage motorists, for every mile driven.

Knowing the factors that put them at risk for accidents can enable young drivers to avoid them.

Lack of experience

Many young drivers do not have much experience behind the wheel, especially if they have recently received their driver’s licenses. The time they spent in driving school and driving under the supervision of their parents is often not sufficient enough to expose them to the different kinds of situations they may encounter on the roads. Their limited driving experience leaves them with little to no knowledge on how to handle them, increasing the chances of them making critical errors.

Not wearing seatbelts

Many teenage drivers do not wear their seatbelts. According to DriversSource.org, 52 percent of teenage motorists who died in 2013 did not wear seatbelts. Some young adults do not wear them because they feel they are uncool, uncomfortable and do not help to prevent injuries and fatalities. Teenage drivers who avoid wearing their seatbelts may ignore other safety precautions that can help keep them safe on the roads.

Distractions

Teen drivers are more likely to drive while distracted than any other age group. They do not seem to understand the importance of giving the road their full attention. Many witness their parents driving while distracted and assume that it safe for them to do so too. Distractions come in many forms and are not limited to texting, surfing the web, posting on social media, talking to passengers, eating and drinking and horseplay.

Young adult motorists may lack experience, but there are ways they can reduce the number of car accidents they are in. Getting more practicing behind the wheel, learning what is safe and appropriate driving behavior and paying more attention to the roads are a few strategies that can make the roads safer for them and all other drivers.

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.

Teenage motorists in Tennessee are already at a disadvantage when they are on the roads because of their inexperience. However, that does not seem to stop them from driving dangerously. Many of them drive their friends around, compromising their ability to safely operate their vehicles even further. Teens are already the highest risk group on the roads. They are several times more likely to be involved in car accidents, sustain injuries and die than adult motorists. With motor vehicle wrecks being the leading cause of death for adolescent drivers, more people should pay attention to the consequences when teen drivers have passengers.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it was found that when teen drivers had multiple passengers in their vehicles they were more likely to engage in horseplay and loud conversations, except when some of those people were siblings. Other reckless driving behaviors that adolescent motorists were likely to participate in include speeding, erratic driving and tailgating.

Male drivers face an increased compulsion to drive recklessly when their friends are with them, states Time. Female drivers rarely engaged in aggressive driving behavior leading to crashes. However, male motorists were more likely to act aggressively and perform illegal driving maneuvers.

Many states have graduated driving laws in place for teen drivers to protect against this type of behavior, such as not allowing them to drive with teen passengers.

Because of their lack of experience, many teen drivers are not aware of dangerous driving with passengers can be. Until they gain more experience and are less influenced by distractions in their driving environments, they should follow the state’s graduated driving laws regarding passengers.

For many motorists in Tennessee, the holiday season is the perfect time to travel and go see friends and relatives. It is also the time of year when fatal motor vehicle accidents are at their highest. According to USA Today, the number of victims who died from car crashes around Thanksgiving was 436 in 2013. Almost 15 percent of the total fatalities that occurred during the month of November from 2006-2011 occurred around Thanksgiving.

Avoid speeding

Drivers should plan their travels carefully. They should allow for extra travel time so they do not end up rushing or speeding to get to their destinations. They should also remain mindful of speeding motorists. Instead of speeding up or engaging in aggressive driving behaviors in response to them, they should maneuver their vehicles safely out of harm’s way.

Pay attention to road conditions

The weather is usually wet, cold and full of snow during this time of year, leading to slick road conditions. Motorists should monitor the conditions on the roads at all times and adjust their speeds and maneuvers accordingly.

Honor traffic courtesies

There are some rules that many drivers abide by when they are on the roads. These courtesies include not passing on the right, moving to the right lane when they are driving too slow in the left lane and not blinding other motorists by turning off their high beams, states the National Motorists Association.

Hold off on the drinks

Drivers should avoid drinking and driving, especially during this time of year. Alcohol can lead to intoxication and negatively impact their ability to make safe judgments and driving actions. It can also lead to motor vehicle wrecks where fatality is a factor.

Fatal car accidents during the holiday season are preventable. Drivers who plan ahead and take preventative actions can reduce their risk of accidents and death.

Motorcycle crashes are on the rise in Tennessee. Bikers should practice caution and appropriate safety protocols when they are out riding. According to Consumer Reports, the number of bikers who died in 2015 from vehicle wrecks was 5,000. With the number of motorists on the roads this holiday season approaching an all-time high, priority should be given to motorcycle safety.

Pay attention to road conditions

Bikers should pay attention to current road conditions and driving trends. For example, there is more traffic on the roads during the holiday season, increasing the risk of accident and injury for both car drivers and bikers. Motorcyclists should remain alert, pay attention to their surroundings and other vehicles at all times and drive according to the flow of traffic.

Cut out the reckless behavior

Some bikers use their vehicles to weave in and out of traffic and ignore road courtesies. Others may restrain their bad driving habits until after they encounter other reckless driving motorists. Proper respect and courtesy should be given to all drivers at all times.

Wear motorcycle proper gear

Riders should dress for the weather by wearing the right gear, such as eye protection, riding pants, riding gloves and boots. These articles of clothing can provide riders with a great deal of protection in the event of crashes. Helmets should be worn even though they are not required by law, states Ultimate Motorcycling. The use of helmets can help to keep riders from sustaining life-threatening injuries.

Avoid alcohol and drugs

Motorcyclists should avoid engaging in risky activities before they hit the road. Alcohol should be avoided because it inhibits reaction times, judgment, perception and driving abilities. Prescription drug use should be done with caution because they may be potential side effects that can interfere with a biker’s ability to safely maneuver their vehicle.

Riders who practice motorcycle safety are able to enjoy the freedom and excitement of the roads far longer than those who do not. Participating in regular refresher riding courses and vehicle inspections can also help to keep bikers safe.