Author: Anthony Proffitt

Drivers often don’t think it’s a big deal if they forget, or don’t bother to, hit that turn signal when they’re changing lanes, exiting a highway or turning into a gas station. But that really is a problem, a new study suggests.

Drivers’ failure to use turn signals actually causes about 2 million car accidents every year. According to a study conducted by the Society of Automotive Engineers, drivers fail to turn on their signals while making a turn a whopping 25 percent of the time. When they are changing lanes, they fail to turn them on 48 percent of the time.

Those are sobering statistics, and they raise the question, “why?” If drivers in Tennessee and elsewhere know they should stop for red lights and stop signs and stick to the speed limit, why are they careless when it comes to using turn signals?

That’s difficult to answer, but it may have to do with the fact that police officers don’t often pull people over for failing to use turn signals. They’re much more likely to go after motorists who are speeding.

The president of an engineering company, who authored the report, says the research is, astoundingly, the first of its kind. He refers to the lack of compliance with turn signals an “epidemic,” according to MSNBC.

So, what can be done? Aside from raising awareness, it’s possible that technology could play a vital role. In theory, new vehicles could come equipped with censors that will remind drivers to use their signals if they continually fail to signal. Some say that could be a viable option to help with the problem.

Source: MSNBC, “Turn signal neglect a real danger, study shows,” Paul A. Eisenstein, May 1, 2012

Drivers in one U.S. city should think twice before they pick up that cellphone. The town, located in another state, recently became the very first in the country to completely ban cellphone use while driving, even hands-free devices. Safety advocates lauded the move and hope that it will ultimately prevent car accidents.

While there are many exceptions to the ban, it will essentially prevent drivers from using a cellphone or “related technology” that can access digital media. An addition to the town code prevents drivers 18 and older from using such devices while driving. (Those under 18 were already prohibited from doing so.)

If drivers are caught using their cellphones, they will face a fine of $25. However, it will be considered a secondary offense. That is, motorists cannot be pulled over just for using their phones. They have to be cited for something else first, like speeding.

As with any rule, there is an exception. Actually, many exceptions. Phones can, of course, be used in emergency situations, such as the need to contact the police, a hospital or the fire department. A somewhat surprising exception is that drivers are allowed to make phone calls if they are contacting a parent, guardian, child or spouse. They are also free to use the phone to make doctor appointments.

The president of the National Safety Council praised the ban and says that it should make the roads safer and therefore save lives. It will be interesting to see if more cities follow suit.

Source: PCMag.com, “Chapel Hill enacts total cellphone ban on drivers,” Mark Hachman, March 29, 2012

An accident in Tennessee last week shows the importance of wearing a seatbelt and paying close attention while driving across a busy highway.

A collision at an intersection left three people injured late last week. The car accident occurred a bit afternoon on a recent day on Alcoa Highway at its intersection with Singleton Station Road, according to a police report.

According to the Daily Times, a 25-year-old woman from Sevierville was stopped in her Chevrolet Malibu at a stop sign on Singleton Road. She apparently attempted to cross Alcoa Highway and was struck by a pickup truck driven by a 59-year-old from Maryville.

The truck driver, who had a passenger with him, was apparently unable to brake in time to avoid hitting the woman’s car. The vehicles collided, and the impact was severe enough that the woman, who was knocked unconscious, became trapped in her vehicle. The point of impact on the Malibu was the driver’s side door. She was ultimately extricated and taken to Tennessee Medical Center after firefighters responded to the scene.

She was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, as was the other driver and his passenger.

The truck driver was treated for minor injuries at Blount Memorial Hospital and released. He was also given a blood alcohol test, but authorities say he is not suspected of impaired driving. His passenger was taken to the same hospital, but his condition after the accident was unclear.

Source: The Daily Times, “Three people injured in Alcoa Highway crash,” Wes Wade, April 14, 2012

They say distracted driving is on the rise, and it doesn’t always involve cellphones or texting. Even playing with the radio can serve as a big and potentially dangerous distraction. A recent car accident on U.S. Highway 411 in Tennessee illustrates that point.

The two-vehicle crash happened near Big Z Lane on Friday afternoon when a 21-year-old man driving a 1976 Chevrolet Nova was headed north on the highway. A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper says that the man, who is from Maryville, was looking down and playing with the radio when he inadvertently crossed over into a passing lane, a center turn lane and then into a southbound passing lane.

According to the Daily Times, the man’s passenger alerted him to the fact that he was driving into oncoming traffic. He apparently swerved back into his lane when his vehicle was struck by a vehicle driven by a 48-year-old man of Madisonville. His Mercury Milan apparently struck the Chevrolet’s driver-side rear.

A passenger in the Milan was reportedly injured, although the extent of her injuries was not known. She was taken by ambulance to Blount Memorial for treatment. The trooper says that the driver of the Chevrolet will likely be cited for his role in the accident.

It’s perhaps not uncommon for a driver not paying attention to swerve a bit on the road. It’s something altogether different when a driver is so distracted that he veers across more than one lane of traffic. It can put lives at risk.

Source: The Daily Times, “Woman injured in two-vehicle accident on 411,” April 8, 2012