Rush Hour Inattention

Two people were injured in a four vehicle interstate morning rush hour crash on I-24 West near Smyrna this past Wednesday morning. Local Nashville media reports said the four vehicles were all traveling in the HOV lane in stop and go traffic. Stopped traffic caused a chain reaction, and three of the cars ended up perpendicular next to each other by the median, with the fourth underneath the third pickup truck.

The drivers of the pickup truck and the car that was trapped underneath, were transported to area hospitals. Both were treated and released. The drivers of the other two cars involved were not injured.

Chronic traffic congestion is often the Tennessee commuter’s biggest headache. Small changes in driving habits could provide fast relief. Several driving behaviors that contribute to traffic congestion include:

• Rubbernecking is perhaps the most frustrating of behaviors. Slowing down to look at crashes or virtually anything else out of the ordinary is one of the worst congestion offenders.

• Tailgating: Following too closely is common on Tennessee interstates. This accounts for numerous crashes, which in turn clog major routes, often for hours.

• Unnecessary Lane Changes: Although it produces virtually NO improvement in arrival or travel times, many motorists insist on weaving in and out of interstate lanes, which at best, slows down all traffic and at worst, causes many crashes.

• Inattention: Drivers can be seen eating, grooming in the rear view mirror, talking on cellular telephones, and even reading newspapers as they drive to work.

If you or a loved one are injured or killed in a Nashville rush hour collision caused by a negligent driver contact the experienced Nashville auto accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates and learn about your rights and remedies. Call 615-356-2000.

Rear End Collisions

The main causes of rear-end collisions are following too closely and driving while distracted. When one follows too closely and the car ahead is required to stop it’s harder for the following driver to respond. When one drives and is distracted by using a cell phone, applying make-up, changing the radio of CD or talking to a passenger, they aren’t looking out ahead to see the other car stopping.

Drivers must know and understand the safe and proper braking procedures for vehicles. This includes the principles of allowing adequate following distances or “safety cushion” around your vehicle and the laws of required stops (signs, signals, railroad crossings, school buses, etc.).

To share the road safely, stay a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. Nationally, safety agencies and driver education programs have tried to define a safe following distance for drivers to maintain. This has ranged from a two to four second following distance.

Be alert and know when you will have to stop well ahead of time. Stopping suddenly is dangerous and usually indicates that a driver was not paying attention, was speeding or was not allowing a safe following distance. Try to avoid panic stops by seeing events well in advance. By slowing down or changing lanes, you may not have to stop at all, and if you do, it can be a more gradual and safer stop. As a rule, it is best to never stop on the road, unless necessary for safety or to obey a law (stop sign, etc.).

There are three steps in stopping a vehicle:

• Perception time: The length of time it takes a driver to see and recognize a dangerous situation.

• Reaction time: The time from perception of danger to the start of braking. The average is 2/3 of a second, as noted in blue section of charts on the next page.

• Braking time: This depends on the type and condition of vehicle brakes, as well as vehicle speed.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee automobile accident caused by a driver following too close, or one that is distracted, you owe it to your self to contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney’s at Phillip Miller & Associates and take advantage of a free consultation.

Practice Intersection Safety

I often blog about the danger of intersections and a story from Memphis TV station WMCTV brings this problem into clear focus. According to studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2005 alone, nearly 9,200 people died and approximately one million people were injured in intersection-related crashes-approximately 40-45 percent of all collisions. The studies report that the two main causes of collisions at intersections is red light running (RLR) and speeding through the intersection.

The intersection crash in Memphis this past week occurred on a rainy morning as an ambulance was making a non-emergency run, and as it entered the intersection of Winchester and Brooks Road a pick-up truck traveling at a high rate of speed smashed into it and sent it skidding over a hundred feet and caused it the roll over. Fortunately, for all involved, the patient, two paramedics and the driver of the pick-up truck not seriously injured.

An intersection is a planned point of conflict in the roadway system. With different crossing and entering movements by both drivers and pedestrians, an intersection is one of the most complex traffic situations that motorists encounter. Dangers are compounded when we add the element of speeding motorists who disregard traffic controls.

In an effort to address this problem in Memphis the leadership has instituted a program of digital camera enforcement of certain intersections with identifiable problems. Red light running (RLR) is a dangerous form of aggressive driving. Based on self-reported behavioral surveys, RLR is a result of people wanting to save time. However, several factors can lead to RLR such as impatient and inattentive drivers, improperly timed traffic signals, lack of enforcement efforts and the attitude that no harm will come from running a red light.

The jury is still out on whether or not the use of this technology gives a good return on investment. Recent studies show the following results:

*25% decrease of total right-angle crashes

*16% decrease of injury right-angle crashes

*15% increase of total rear-end crashes

*24% increase of injury rear-end crashes

The increase in rear-end collisions is problematical for the authorities and the increase in injury related rear-end collisions can be addressed in time, as drivers become used to the camera systems and learn to keep from following too close as they enter intersections. These issues can and should be addressed with education and public service announcements.

If you or a loved one is injured in a Nashville intersection collision contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney’s at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies