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Drunk Driving Accidents

Signs that a driver is drunk

Motorists in Tennessee need to be able to identify when drivers are driving drunk so they can take preventive actions to avoid them. Drivers who engage in intoxicated driving are not only a danger to themselves, they are a danger to their passengers and other motorists who are on the road. Relying on law enforcement and the decision-making skills of drivers who drink are not sufficient enough to prevent this type of behavior from occurring. By learning what actions and behaviors drivers tend to exhibit when they are intoxicated, the roads can become a safer place.

According to CDL Life, some of the less obvious signs of drunk driving are the use of wrong turn signals and failing to signal at all; driving much slower than posted speed limits and flow of traffic and excessive use of brakes and tailgating. The more obvious indicators that a driver has had too much to drink include drinking while driving and swerving on the road.

Motorists are not encouraged to follow drunk drivers but can do so if it is absolutely safe enough for them to do so, states The Press Democrat. They should be prepared to describe to the authorities specific driving behaviors that the person they are reporting is exhibiting. Information that can help law enforcement to catch these offenders include the direction of travel and the color, model, make and license plate of the drunken motorist’s vehicle. Drivers who suspect other motorists of drunk driving should pull over to the side of the road to remove themselves from harm’s way before contacting the police if they are not able or unwilling to follow the suspected drunken driver.

Motorists who are able to recognize the signs of drunk driving are able to keep themselves from becoming involved in motor vehicle accidents that are caused by them.

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

What factors increase the likelihood of a fatal motor accident?

As you leave your home and set out for the open road, the last thing on your mind is getting fatally injured in a serious car accident. No one really thinks that they are going to get hurt or killed in a collision, and as a result, many people fail to take certain precautions when it comes to protecting their lives, as well as the lives of others on the road. There are several factors that can increase your chances of becoming involved in a deadly auto accident in Tennessee. By knowing what these factors are, you may be able to avoid them and possibly save a life in the process.

One of the easiest ways to prevent a fatal car accident is to wear your seat belt. It’s not a fallacy that wearing a seat belt saves lives and can keep you from sustaining serious injuries or even being killed in an accident. According to eHow.com, speeding is another common cause of car accidents, and is one that drivers can easily control. It is especially important to slow down while driving in bad weather conditions, which is yet another factor in deadly accidents.

In addition to these factors, the following may also cause fatal car accidents:

  •          Drug and alcohol use
  •          Driving while distracted
  •          Rollovers
  •          Medical conditions
  •          Debris in the road

As a driver, you should make sure that you fully aware of your surroundings and concentrating on the roads at all times. In a split second, an object in the road or an incoming email can cause a catastrophic collision that you may not walk away from. 

Categories
Car Accidents

Make sure that your vehicle is ready for winter weather

As the hot summer days begin to cool and the leaves begin to turn the landscape into a beautiful colorful masterpiece, car owners should start thinking about winter-proofing their vehicles. Winter weather conditions, such as snow, ice, rain, sleet, fog and winds can spell disaster for motorists in Tennessee and across the U.S. It only takes a small oversight or a mechanical system defect for a mishap to occur. Not only do these problems endanger the lives of car owners and their passengers, but they put other peoples’ lives at risk as well.

According to Today.com, there are several crucial elements to performing a pre-winter car inspection. These include the following:

  •          Change the windshield wiper blades to ensure a clean swipe.
  •          Get the right type of oil that won’t thicken in colder climates.
  •          Make sure that the tire pressure is adequate as air pressure tends to drop in cold temperatures.
  •          Consider snow tires for better traction and stability in bad weather conditions.
  •          Top off the vehicle’s liquids, such as antifreeze, coolant and windshield wiper fluid.

It is important that car owners keep certain items in their vehicles as well, according to the Automobile Association. In addition to keeping a blanket and a first-aid kit in the car in case a hazardous situation occurs, people should make sure they have an ice scrapper, flashlight, rock salt and tire chains if they are going to be driving in the mountains.

A basic tune-up from a trusted mechanic can also help to ensure that people have not overlooked essential components of the vehicle, such as the steering system, hoses, belts, spark plugs, ignition fuel filters and emission filters.  

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

How much is too much to drink and drive?

While you may understand that getting behind the wheel of a vehicle is illegal after consuming alcohol, there are a number of people in Tennessee who continue to engage in this dangerous behavior. Surprisingly, some of these negligent motorists may believe that they are fully capable of driving when they get into their vehicle. Sadly, they may end up seriously injuring or killing an innocent person as a result of the misconception. This may leave you and other drivers in the state to wonder how much alcohol people can consume before they are considered unable to drive a vehicle.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, even a small amount of alcohol in the blood can create a potential hazard for drivers on the road. The blood alcohol content limit in the state is 0.08 percent. However, there are some cases where a driver who has a BAC level measuring less than this amount may cause a serious drunk driving car accident. The key is that the blood alcohol level varies depending on your gender, weight, how fast you’ve consumed the alcohol and whether you have any food on your stomach.

Although a person who has a BAC level measuring 0.02 may not be charged with driving under the influence, he or she may experience a decreased ability to see moving targets. This means that a person with this BAC level may have a heightened sense of distraction when engaging in activities while driving, such as talking or texting on a cellphone.

With a BAC level of 0.05 percent, drivers might have difficulty steering or responding to a hazardous situation, such as bad weather conditions, pedestrians in the road or other reckless drivers. This level of intoxication can impair a driver’s judgement and may reduce his or her ability to focus on objects.

This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice. 

Categories
Truck Accidents

ESC systems on trucks may increase driving safety

Many motor vehicles and motorcycles come equipped with electronic stability control. While these machines are essential for the safety of motorists, officials believe that adding this technology to tractor trailers could not only improve the safety of truck drivers, but everyone else on the road as well. At Pryor, Priest and Harber, we understand how truck accidents can leave victims with serious injuries or dealing with the loss of a loved one. That is why big rig safety is crucial.

When truckers are faced with heavy traffic conditions or have a vehicle pull out directly in front of them, they often require a longer distance to slow down and/or stop. Furthermore, trucks that brake while traveling in bad weather conditions or with a poorly distributed load may be more likely to tip over, skid or jackknife. Electronic stability control systems can prevent this from happening by detecting when a truck is understeering, oversteering, hydroplaning or swerving, and then helping the truck driver to gain control of the big rig’s steering mechanism.

The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration reported that electronic stability control systems on tractor trailers can reduce large truck accident fatalities that are caused by loss-of-control by 14 percent. Big rig accidents involving rollovers may drop by up to 56 percent due to electronic stability control system installation in large trucks and buses.

People who are interested in learning more about what to do after the occurrence of a large truck accident should visit out truck accident page to find out more.

Categories
Car Accidents

Aging eyes may increase risk of serious car accident

As people get older, their ability to detect and react to certain stimuli diminishes over time. This includes the critical sense of vision, which is vital to people who wish to drive on the open road. When people suffer from a reduced ability to see, they run the risk of causing a catastrophic car accident, as well as injuring or even killing an innocent person. It is crucial that people understand the importance of good eyesight before the get behind the wheel of vehicle.

Even though a driver may pass the standard eye test that is given when he or she obtains a driver’s license, his or her eyesight may still cause problems when it comes to making quick decisions. For example, the National Safety Council reported that a 50-year-old may have difficulty seeing in low light conditions when compared to a 20-year-old. Since a driver’s license requires renewal every five years in Tennessee, a person could begin to experience eyesight difficulties in the years after obtaining a license.

Not only is it natural for people to experience a general decline in their vision as they age, but there are a number of age-related eye disorders that people can acquire as well. According to American Optometric Association, these conditions include the following:

  •          Cataracts
  •          Diabetic retinopathy
  •          Macular degeneration
  •          Glaucoma
  •          Chronic dry eye
  •          Retinal detachment

In addition to these eye issues, older drivers may have trouble focusing on and reading street signs, seeing in low-light conditions, adapting to glaring headlights and perceiving changes in colors. When pulling out into traffic, elderly people may have difficulties judging the distance and speed of oncoming vehicles. This could put them in danger of becoming involved in a serious car accident.

 

 

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Two people killed: Officer charged with reckless driving

Even law enforcement officers in Tennessee must practice safe driving habits when traveling alongside other vehicles on the road. Just like other motorists, law officers run the risk of injuring and killing innocent people if they choose to drive recklessly or make negligent decisions while behind the wheel.

A Bartlett law officer was one who made a poor decision when he chose to speed through a major intersection in town. The speeding officer approached speeds of up 83 mph. Other motorists were not able to prepare for the speeding officer, as he did not have his siren lights on at the time the accident occurred.

The 34-year-old officer went on to hit a vehicle in the middle of a busy intersection and, as a result, two people lost their lives. The 49-year-old woman and 63-year-old man were killed in the tragic car accident. Although the officer was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, he was convicted of lesser charges. Rather than the felony charges, he was found guilty of a misdemeanor: two counts of reckless driving.

The officer argues that he was pursuing a fleeing car that he had tried to stop earlier, and that he was afraid the vehicle would go on to cause harm to others. Still, the officer did not have his emergency lights on during the chase, and two people were needlessly killed.

Car accidents can be extremely tragic, especially when innocent people lose their lives. It can be difficult to deal with the aftermath of a deadly auto collision. Victims and their families may want to seek legal counsel from a personal injury attorney.

Source: The Commercial Appeal, “Bartlett officer guilty of reckless driving in fatal crash,” Katie Fretland, Aug. 19, 2016. 

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Can ignition interlock devices save lives?

As you navigate the roadways in Knoxville, it is important to keep in mind that you may be traveling alongside an intoxicated driver. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 267 people were killed in drunk driving car accidents in 2014. This accounted for 27.8 percent of all motor vehicle accident fatalities in the state that year. In 2013, the state enacted a law that requires all people who are convicted of a DUI to have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicles. Since that time, drunk driving deaths have decreased by 3.6 percent, and people hope that the number of people killed in these catastrophic accidents continues to decrease.

One reason why interlock devices help to reduce the DUI fatality rate is that they help to keep intoxicated drivers from operating vehicles. Before a driver can start the vehicle, he or she must blow a breath sample into a tube that is connected to a dashboard monitor. The machine then evaluates the sample for the presence of alcohol. If the driver has a blood alcohol content level that exceeds the set level, the car won’t start. Not only that, but the device will require motorists to submit random breath samples periodically while they are driving.

Studies show that IID’s keep drunk drivers from committing repeat offenses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that interlock devices actually decrease the DUI recidivism rate by up to 67 percent. Even after the device is taken out of the vehicle, 39 percent of people continue to avoid driving drunk.

This information should be used for educational purposes and should not be taken as legal advice. 

Categories
Truck Accidents

Poor tractor trailer maintenance can lead to disaster on the road

Tennessee car owners must keep their vehicles well-maintained in order to ensure that they are working properly on the road. The simplest oversight can lead to a flat tire or worn brakes that could potentially cause a devastating accident. Similarly, it is crucial that tractor trailers are routinely checked and properly cared for so that they don’t pose a threat to other vehicles on the road. According to the Federal Highway Administration, big rigs can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and, in some cases, can span a length of over 56 feet. At Pryor, Priest & Harber, we understand that people can be severely injured if a piece of equipment malfunctions or a safety device fails to work properly.

Trucking companies are required to conduct a detailed inspection of all the tractor trailers in the fleet at least once a year and keep complete documentation as to the condition of each truck, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. In addition, truckers must inspect vital truck parts prior to beginning their route. A surprising number of trucking companies and truck drivers, however, fail to perform these essential inspections, and as a result, put the lives of others on the road at risk.

In 2012, more than 2.1 million tractor trailers were taken off of U.S. highways after officials found that they had equipment safety violations. Trucks may have trouble stopping if there is a problem with the braking system. Furthermore, problems with the tires or steering components could make it difficult for the truck driver to maintain control of a massive truck.

Surviving the aftermath of a truck collision can be overwhelming. Read our page on commercial truck accidents to learn more.

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Snapchat’s speed filter endangering lives on the road

In this day and age of social media and smartphone technology, people are able to post status updates and pictures from anywhere. Snapchat has taken the idea of posting to a new level by adding a filter that indicates how fast the user is going while they are taking a picture or a short video. Cellphone use while driving in Tennessee is highly discouraged, as talking and texting on cellphone while behind the wheel is proven to lead to deadly car accidents. In fact, Distraction.gov reported that texting while driving in the state is against the law. Some believe that Snapchat’s feature encourages motorists to speed and may increase reckless driving.

According to The Verge, a man in Georgia now suffers from permanent brain damage and cannot walk without assistance after being involved in a horrific car accident. The 18-year-old girl who hit his car was attempting to take a Snapchat photo using the speed filter to show how fast she was going. Evidence shows that she even posted a picture to Snapchat after the accident occurred to show her followers that she was still alive.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated accident involving the social media platform. There are several other impending lawsuits involving people who have been seriously injured in car accidents caused by people using the speed filter on the app. Despite many attempts asking Snapchat developers to remove the filter, it still remains available to users. As long as it is on the application, people will continue to use it while driving.