Most Tennesseans have heard it all before: drowsy driving is dangerous driving. Despite these warnings, thousands of tired drivers hit the state’s roads each day — posing a threat to themselves and other drivers. While this issue is hardly a new one, there are recent studies that can help residents drive in a manner that is more alert — and, subsequently, in a way that is safer for everyone on the road.

The Governor’s Highway Safety Association sheds light on this nationwide problem, showing through a study that over 80 million exhausted Americans drive on the country’s roads every day. From that number, roughly 5,000 drivers died as a result. The GHSA considers the many ways states have made efforts to reduce this number of drowsy driving accidents, including those regarding legislative plans, education, engineering and enforcement. Some experts in law enforcement stress that officers should receive training to help them properly spot tired drivers on the road. Others pinpoint the source of the issue to sleep deprivation itself, stating that it is a critical element in safety practices. 

CNBC also comments on the frightening number of drowsy drivers on the road, nodding to the American Automobile Association’s statistic that shows that 1 in 10 car accidents is caused by a tired driver. It appears that the federal government has also misgauged the seriousness of the issue, as the numbers of drowsy driving-related incidents are much higher than expected. In a similar vein as the aforementioned source, CNBC also raises the issue of sleep deprivation in America; 29 percent of those surveyed from the AAA admitted to getting behind the wheel while barely able to stay awake. There may not be a single solution to this major problem, but Tennesseans can help reduce the number of accidents on the road by becoming more alert drivers themselves.     

It is a nationwide issue, and also one with which most Tennesseans are familiar: texting and driving. Although countless campaigns have circulated in efforts to spread awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, countless drivers succumb to this habit. Unfortunately, some drivers face serious repercussions as a result. What is the current outlook on texting and driving in America, and will the country ever see change? 

An article from USA Today also asks the aforementioned question, acknowledging that time spent in front of a screen is only increasing for most Americans. However, texting and driving has claimed the lives of thousands, despite the fact that, as shared by USA Today, 87 percent of surveyed Americans agreed that the habit is a dangerous one. Certainly disturbing, this statistic appears to reflect an overwhelming urge to use cellular devices while operating a vehicle, despite the risks. USA Today asks, can the country shake this bad habit? Some experts even trace smart phone addictions back to the ways they can reward the brain through the release of dopamine. Ultimately, the solution could require a process in which drivers learn to rewire their brains in regard to cell phone use.

Wired also weighs in on the dangers of texting and driving, noting that the issue is not simply a generational one. Instead, using a study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Wired shows that drivers of all ages are guilty of this type of distracted driving. When it comes to other possible solutions, the answer could be found in the ways phones are engineered altogether. Wired states that a common goal of product designers, researchers and policymakers involves the instilling of limitations with the many uses of technology. For instance, some phones now come with a special “driving” mode that helps prevent drivers from becoming distracted. While the solution has sparked much debate, it is clear that there is a major issue regarding cell phone use behind the wheel.  

Many people in Tennessee might be quick to trivialize a whiplash injury but that is something that should not be done. Understanding whiplash is important as it can be associated with chronic pain and complications for some people.

According to WebMD, not all cases of whiplash result in pain or other symptoms immediately. It is therefore important for people who have been in motor vehicle accidents to pay special attention to their neck area for a while after a crash in case they experience a delayed onset of whiplash.

The Mayo clinic indicates that for people who do experience a fast onset of pain associated with whiplash, they may have a higher chance of chronic problems associated with the injury. Auto accidents in which a person is hit from behind are commonly associated with many instances of whiplash. Pain that extends from the neck through the arm may also be an indicator of longer-term problems.

It is important for people to know the difference between whiplash and next sprains. The former involves the muscles and tendons that attach muscles to the bones whereas sprains involve the ligaments that connect bones together. Short-term whiplash may last for a period of months but if pain and neck or muscle stiffness continues, people may need treatment for an extended period of time regardless of how minor the original accident seemed at the time. A reduced range of motion and pain when moving the head from one side to the other are just some of the symptoms people might experience.

A large majority of Tennesseans could agree that there is hardly a more frightening experience than a car accident. When an accident involves a serious injury such as brain trauma, those levels of fear can seem all the more magnified.

Dealing with a serious injury can make steps such as handling car insurance and addressing vehicle damage pale in comparison. While each situation can require varying levels of assistance and medical attention, there are some basic steps one can take to make a traumatic brain injury more manageable. 

Knowing the Symptoms

Depending on the seriousness of the crash, it may take extended periods of time for one to discover a TBI. The Brain Injury Society shares some common symptoms of this type of injury after a car accident, such as loss of consciousness, dizziness, changes in sleep quality and patterns, memory problems and confusion. There are many other symptoms that could hint toward a TBI, but the BIS urges readers to never dismiss even the most insignificant symptoms, as they could reveal larger, otherwise hidden issues.

Starting the Recovery Process

As with most brain injuries, the length of time it can take to recover can vary. BrainLine points out that, in milder cases, one might expect a speedy and complete recovery; however, with more severe cases, brain injury recovery could take extended lengths of time (and, in extreme situations, could be impossible altogether). As BrainLine shares, most medical professionals gauge recovery time using the Rancho Los Amigos scale, which measures the severity of brain injuries through eight different levels. Once a doctor gets a clear picture on one’s injury and the projected recovery timeframe, they can then move on to the recovery process itself. 

When Tennessee residents are involved in a car accident, they may not think about what the collision might do to their insurance. A crash can easily raise a driver’s insurance premium, though, depending on the severity of the accident and whether he or she is considered at-fault.

Sometimes people may find that their car insurance rates go up after they are in an accident. Esurance says this is because someone’s driving record usually plays a role in setting his or her insurance premium. When people have a collision on their record, they are sometimes more likely to have a higher premium, particularly if the crash was serious and they were the driver who caused the accident. A crash typically does not raise someone’s rates permanently. People are usually able to get lower rates the longer they remain accident-free after the collision.

In some situations, people may find that their insurance is not affected by the collision. This can be the case when someone was not responsible or if there was no damage to any of the vehicles involved. People may also retain a low premium if they do not have prior collisions on their driving record. 

Sometimes people may be able to take steps to keep their rates from rising too much. According to Money Under 30,  people may want to consider enrolling in a driving class. This typically demonstrates that someone is committed to being a safe driver, and may sometimes result in lower rates. Additionally, some people may want to speak to their insurance company about an accident forgiveness clause, particularly if the collision was the first one they were involved in. People should also tell their insurance company about the crash after it occurs, as this demonstrates their responsibility and can sometimes keep them from paying higher costs later on.