Education and Enforcement

As an experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney I have come to understand that the prevention of  automobile accidents on a state-wide basis will come when individual driver’s take responsibility and stay focused on what they are doing. We all are responsible for driving, walking, and biking safely on Tennessee highways. The engineers and planners have the responsibility to make sure that roads are designed and operating properly, with safety for all road users in mind.

Drivers and pedestrians have the responsibility to always be alert and obey the traffic rules. Passengers should always buckle up and act responsibly. The police and the courts have the responsibility to make sure that the traffic and pedestrian laws are enforced. Public safety agencies have the responsibility of responding to and securing crash locations and enforcing traffic laws. Local communities and county and state governments need to allocate funding for safe roads and increase public awareness about road safety. Everyone should take responsibility for roadway safety.

Education and enforcement are the keys to this puzzle. But how best to educate and keep reminding drivers of the rules of the road? An interesting letter to the Editor of the Nashville Tennessean caught my attention the other day.  Scott Whitehead, a thoughtful citizen from Ashland City suggested that the Tennessee Department of Transportation use the digital billboards that are now used to warn of construction delays and missing children, and which are many times blank, as a platform for reminding drivers of their responsibilities. Warnings like following too close, weaving in and out of traffic, seatbelt use, children’s restraints, the whole host of reminders that people need for driving safety.

I for one, think Mr. Whitehead has a great idea and I intend to share this suggestion with Commissioner Gerald Nicely of the Department of Transportation at TDOT.Comments@tn.gov or 615.741.2848, and the Governor’s Highway Safety Office at 615.741.2589.

Practice driving safety, no matter whether you are traveling across the state, or just down to the corner store. If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident contact the experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney’s at Phillip Miller & Associates for a free consultation to learn about your rights and remedies

http://tennessee.gov/safety/thp/rulesroad.html

The biggest threat to the children’s safety is from drunk drivers. It is Saturday night and it is a holiday.  According to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the Halloween period this year runs from October 29 – November 1 and the most dangerous time includes the period 4 P.M. to 10 P.M. The good news is that since the FARS system has been in place the death and injury toll since 1996 has seen a significant decrease. It is thought that the decrease is related to education through public service announcements reminding drivers and parents of the need to practice safety in combination with strict enforcement, including DUI roadblocks.

Take a few minutes to ensure children’s safety. The following are some safety tips from the CDC:

* Plan safe costumes. Make sure masks and costumes fit well so kids can see well and move around safely.

* Ensure safety on the street. Put reflective tape on treat bags and costumes. Have each child carry a flashlight so drivers can see them. Keep porches and walkways clear of candles and other obstacles.

* Use only established crosswalks.

* Keep in a group with trusted adult supervision

In my neighborhood the neighbors coordinated our  effort to insure child safety by making sure that our cars, whether parked on the street or in the driveway have their emergency flashers on to remind drivers coming through the neighborhood  to be cautious.

If you or a loved one is injured in a Nashville car pedestrian accident contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies.