Author: Anthony Proffitt

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