Tennessee drivers have been educated in a variety of road hazards. You know to slow down approaching a blind turn and when traveling through intersections. You know a good rainstorm coupled with driving too fast may cause you to lose control of your car. You know it is dangerous to drink and drive. Another hazard you should be aware of is work zones.
What is hydroplaning and why is it dangerous?
Hydroplaning—which happens when water comes between a car’s tires and the road surface, often causing loss of control—is one of the scariest situations a Tennessee driver can face. Not being able to control a sliding car traveling at high speed is unnerving for the driver and other area motorists, who may become caught up in an accident involving property damage and severe injuries.
School buses designed to keep kids safe
When children are victims of a car accident, it is tragic. When a school bus crash causes multiple child deaths, the entire community is touched by the tragedy. Despite the high-profile incidents of ongoing school-bus crashes, including one in 2016 in Tennessee, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that school buses are still the safest form of transportation for children headed to and from school. In fact, the agency puts a number to the safety factor, saying that a safe arrival at school is 70 times more likely by bus than by individual cars.
Sudden deaths can bring traumatic grief
Losing a friend or family member is always difficult, but when the death is through an accident or another surprising event, trauma is added to grief, giving survivors a one-two punch that sends them reeling. If you are dealing with the loss of a loved one from an accident, the legal team at Pryor, Priest and Harber offers our sympathies. We have worked with bereaved family members who are experiencing traumatic grief, and we know you need an extra measure of support and consideration.
A current outlook on helmet laws
The debate over whether motorcyclists should wear protective helmets when riding has been a seemingly endless one. Motorcycle enthusiasts across the nation are divided on this subject, some arguing that it crosses the line in terms of one's freedom. Tennessee motorcyclists are currently required to wear a helmet while operating bikes on the road, but might those laws change in the future?
New guidance on personal use of big rigs
Among the many concerns that Tennessee residents must contend with on the roads is the danger posed by large commercial trucks. Fatigued drivers can be a serious problem given the number of long and lonely hours that truckers spend behind the wheels of their rigs. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued a rule that was designed to reduce fatigue among truckers in an effort to reduce accidents and improve safety.
Ooltewah motorcyclist killed in car accident
One might say that motorcyclists in Knoxville are already at an inherent disadvantage when it comes to staying safe on the road. The lack of protection offered by their bikes means that even in a minor collision, they could be at risk of suffering severe injuries. There are steps that motorcyclists may take to mitigate those risks (such as wearing a helmet and protective clothing), yet they also have to worry about inattentive motorists. It can be difficult to see motorcycles on the road, and despite extensive campaigns to increase awareness of motorcyclists, many drivers may still forget to do those simple things to make the road safer for all.
