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Author: Anthony Proffitt

Categories
Truck Accidents

What constitutes distracted driving?

If you are like most people in Tennessee, you mobile phone has become an integral part of your everyday live, especially if you have a smartphone. You can find the location of a needed business, manage your finances, and stay in contact with others anytime, anywhere. However, when mobile phones are used by people when they are driving, the benefits of this technology turn into dangers.

Distracted driving has received a lot of attention in recent years, largely due to the heavy use of mobile technology. However, this is not the only thing that can distract drivers while operating motor vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, distractions can be visual, cognitive or manual. A visual distraction is anything that takes your eyes off of the road. A cognitive distraction is anything takes your mind off of your driving. A manual distraction is anything that requires you to take your hands off of your steering wheel or a gear shifter if you have a manual transmission.

Examples of some of these distractions include inserting a CD into a player, tending to a child in your vehicle and even talking to one of your passengers. Across the United States, it is estimated that 1,300 injuries every day are incurred due to distracted drivers. Following the laws about mobile phone use is one way to reduce your distraction while driving but it is equally important to remember that other distractions also exist.

This information is not intended to provide legal advice but general information about what distracted driving is in Tennessee.

 

 

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving accidents and the holidays

As the holidays are fast approaching, Tennessee residents are solidifying plans with family and friends for a myriad of celebrations. From menu planning to special activities, there are several things to be looking forward to at this time of year. However, the holiday season spanning between Thanksgiving and New Year’s also brings other things requiring attention. Among these is an increase in the number of drunk driving accidents and fatalities compared to the rest of the year.

The National Safety Council lists Thanksgiving as the third most dangerous drinking and driving holiday in the United States. New Year’s and Christmas rank as the fifth and sixth, respectively. USA Today adds that when weekends are included in the primary holiday dates, the risks can be even greater. Such will be the case with Christmas and New Year in 2015. A full and long weekend is always part of Thanksgiving every year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records from December 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 illustrate how much more serious impaired driving is over holiday dates. Over these five years, 28 people died per day on the non-holiday dates in drunk driving accidents. Over the five years’ of dates associated with Christmas, 45 people died per day in accidents involving alcohol. The number of daily fatalities on the dates associated with New Year’s was even greater as 54.

Understanding this risk ahead of time can give Tennessee residents an opportunity to make appropriate plans. Having designated drivers can be some help but minimizing time on the road when more impaired drivers are likely to be out may also be wise.

Categories
Truck Accidents

TN drivers may see more tractor trailers on the road

Tennessee drivers may be used to sharing the roadways with tractor trailers on a regular basis. However, they may begin to notice an increase in the number of tractor trailers they see on the road. As the American economy continues to grow, more tractor trailers are needed to distribute products across the state and throughout the country. In fact by 2025, the trucking industry could see a 23.5 percent increase in freight amounts, according to the American Trucking Association. While this may be good news for U.S. trucking companies, it could put motorists at an increased risk of being involved in a large truck accident.

The number of people killed in large truck accidents in the U.S. has increased since 2009, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. From 3,211 deaths in 2009 to 3,906 fatalities in 2013, motor vehicle accidents involving large trucks continue to take the lives of innocent motorists. Passenger vehicle drivers are usually the ones who are seriously injured in a tractor trailer collision, as their size and weight are considerably larger.

With more tractor trailers needed to distribute freight, some trucking companies are having difficulties keeping up with demand. According to Bloomberg Business, qualified and experienced truckers are getting harder to come by. In order to compensate for the shortage, some companies are scheduling truckers to driver overtime in violation of federal law. In turn, distracted, drowsy, drunk and otherwise reckless truckers are more likely to cause a catastrophic collision that could injure or kill others.

In order to avoid becoming the next victim of a negligent truck driver, motorists should learn how to share the road safely with large trucks.

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

How can ABS reduce risks of motorcycle accidents?

As a Tennessee motorist, you may know about antilock braking systems and how they help to improve the safety of vehicles on the road. Yet you may not know that these braking systems can mean life or death to motorcyclists. Whether you are a motorcyclist yourself or simply share the road with motor bikes, it is helpful to know how motorcycle braking systems work and how to react in a situation where a motorcycle needs to stop short.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, motorcycles that are equipped with antilock braking systems are 31 percent less likely to be involved in deadly motorcycle accidents than those models that do not have this safety mechanism. Antilock braking systems work by preventing motorcycle tires from locking up, which in turn may help you avoid a disastrous fall, potential injury and possible death. When the wheels of your motorcycle begin to lock up, the ABS system will stop the tires rotations until it feels as though the tires’ traction is fully restored. Traditional braking systems, on the other hand, can act as a potential hazard when your tires hit uneven terrain, bad weather conditions or otherwise poor road conditions.

Although antilock braking systems reduce the likelihood that you will be involved in a fatal motorcycle accident, studies show that models with combined braking systems are even safer. As a result of these studies, IIHS is pushing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require the installation of antilock braking systems on all motorcycles. 

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

DUI accident rate still high in TN despite decrease in fatalities

While Tennessee reported a significant decline in the number of people killed in drunk driving car accidents across the state in 2013, the DUI fatality rate still shows that too many people are getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reported drunk driving deaths in the state fell from 286 deaths in 2012 to 277 fatalities in 2013. Although Mothers Against Drunk Driving also reported a 3.1 percent decline in drunk driving deaths, these fatalities still accounted for 27.8 percent of all automobile accident deaths in the state.

State officials hope that the 2014 DUI fatality rate will show an even further reduction in drunk driving deaths. This is due in part to new legislation that went into effect in 2013 involving the use of ignition interlock devices. Tennessee is one of 25 states in the nation that requires all convicted DUI offenders to use an ignition interlock device on their vehicles. The mobile breath test monitor is designed to keep DUI offenders from operating a vehicle by measuring their blood alcohol content level. The vehicle will not start if the offender’s BAC is over the preset limit. Other states that enforce this law have seen a dramatic drop in DUI car accidents, injuries and deaths.

In addition to interlock device laws, Tennessee also uses no-refusal policies when testing drivers who have been pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving. Some believe that if state lawmakers started revoking driver’s licenses, it would help to lower the number of drunk drivers on the road as well. 

Categories
Car Accidents

How can TN drivers stay safe on winter roads this season?

As a motorist in Tennessee, you may already know that the winter roads can be extremely dangerous for drivers. Not only are there adverse weather conditions to deal with, but you are also forced to share the road with people who drive recklessly in these harsh circumstances. According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than 480,000 people are injured and 6,250 people lose their lives in car accidents caused by slushy, icy or snowy roads each year. Although your risk of becoming involved in a tragic automobile accident increases when the weather is bad, there are steps you can take to stay safe on the road this winter.

One of the most important things that you can do when you face reduced visibility, slick roads and reduced traction due to weather is slow down. You should also leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Icy and wet roads can make it difficult for you to brake, and you may start to skid or lose control of your vehicle if you are forced to stop suddenly.

It is also crucial that you have your vehicle winterized, preferably before the first storm of the year. Make sure that your car’s battery, lights, brakes, windshield wipers, exhaust system, heater and ignition system are in good working order. Have your tires checked to ensure they have good tread and adequate pressure.

Avoid engaging in activities that may distract you, such as texting and driving, eating or reaching for things in the car. While it is important to drive cautiously at all times, it is even more essential that your full attention is on the road when traveling through winter conditions.

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

Categories
Truck Accidents

Revised hours of service for truckers under federal scrutiny

Many truckers on Tennessee roads drive when they are tired. The problem has attracted national attention, and some efforts have been made to curb this behavior. Because many are paid by the mile instead of being guaranteed an hourly wage, drivers may be tempted to complete a shift, even when sleepiness is a problem. According to ABC News, a driver who followed the federal standard for rest times ended up with a schedule that resulted in a lack of adequate sleep before a long shift on the road.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the government agency that enforces an hours-of-service regulation. These guidelines require drivers to take rest breaks and limits the number of hours they can be on the road to 11 per day.

Recently, the FMCSA suspended the regulations that made two nights of rest mandatory during a work week, and began conducting a study so it could determine that schedule’s effectiveness. Some truckers continued to follow the original hours of service with one night off and a total of 82 hours on the road each week, while others rested for at least two nights and only drove for 70 hours. Information about the levels of alertness, overall health and hazards such as near crashes and crashes was collected using the following:

  •          Onboard cameras
  •          Surveys and tests
  •          Sleep assessment technology
  •          Electronic devices tracking actual time on the road

When the outcome of the study is available, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the FMCSA will re-assess the situation to determine which schedule is better at preventing driver fatigue and truck accidents. 

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Finding the responsible party in a wrongful death claim

Losing a loved one in a car accident can be devastating. Here at Pryor Priest and Harber, our staff has found that in the process of finding some form of closure, people often need the answer to the question, why? Finding the exact cause for the accident not only provides them with some peace of mind but it can help them determine who should be held accountable.

At first glance, a car accident that results in the death of a person can appear pretty straightforward. Often it may be assumed that the other driver is to blame in collisions where speed or traveling over the lane is a factor. However, it is important to delve deeper into the information surrounding the case. This includes finding answers to the following questions:

  •          Was the driver on some sort of medication?
  •          Was the vehicle that caused the accident under a manufacturer recall?
  •          Was there something wrong mechanically with the vehicle?
  •          Were the tires defective?

If the other vehicle involved was a tractor trailer or some type of commercial truck, then there are additional questions that may need to be answered. For example, it may be important to look at the last time the vehicle was serviced or the policies that the company instills on its drivers. In cases involving the use of legal prescriptions, evaluating how the product was labeled may be a good idea. Perhaps a driver was on a prescription that made the driver drowsy but there was no warning of driving while taking it. Maybe the doctor made a mistake and prescribed a dose that was too high or even wrote the wrong medication down?

Finding the real cause of why a loved one died in a car accident is just the first step. To learn more, please visit our website.

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

Are motorcyclists at higher risk of sustaining head injuries?

As a motorcyclist in Tennessee, you may be at a higher risk of sustaining a serious head injury if you are involved in an accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that motorcycle accident injuries, including traumatic brain damage, is a leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents across the country. In fact, motorcyclists are injured or killed in more than 80 percent of all motorcycle collisions.

One major contributor to this statistic is the failure to wear a helmet. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety states that of the 4,381 people killed in motorcycle accidents in 2013, 38 percent of motorcycle drivers were not wearing a helmet when the collision occurred. Additionally, approximately 47 percent of motorcycle passengers failed to wear a helmet, and suffered fatal injuries as a result. While the exact cause of death was not stated, it can be assumed that the lack of protection on the head played a big role.

If you drive a car, you have air bags, roll bars, seat belts, protective steel and other safety equipment designed to protect you. However, your motorcycle lacks such features. As such, if a motorist cuts you off, you could find yourself flying through the air head-first over your bike. This means your head will hit whatever is in front of you with greater force than if you were connected to a seat belt and hit your head on the steering wheel or a vehicle. Even if your bike is not going very fast, you could suffer a more serious brain injury simply because there is nothing there to absorb some of the impact. 

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Interlock devices: Helping to keep people safe on the road

The number of people who were killed in drunk driving car accidents in Tennessee dropped by just over 3 percent from 2012 to 2013, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. State officials are hopeful that the fatality rate will continue to decrease after a new ignition interlock device law took effect in 2013. This law requires all convicted drunk drivers to use an ignition interlock device on their vehicles for a specific period of time. Statistics show that other states that have implemented similar laws have had favorable results in lowering the number of drunk driving deaths, lowering the risk of car accidents and reducing the number of repeat drunk drivers.

Ignition interlock devices help to keep DUI offenders off the road by disabling their vehicles if they are intoxicated. The device measures the driver’s blood alcohol content level through a breath sample, which is required in order to start the car. If the BAC level is at or above a preset limit, the car will lock up. The driver will then have to wait before he or she can attempt to start the car again.

Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that IIDs have been successful at cutting the drunk driver recidivism rate by up to 67 percent. These findings are significant considering that as many as 75 percent of DUI offenders with a suspended driver’s license continue to drive. This puts other people on the road in danger of becoming involved in auto accidents and obtaining serious injuries.