Posted in Car Accident,Tennessee Accident Law on February 8, 2017
Metro Police Officers Increase Patrols in Antioch in Response to Speed Concerns
Officers with Metro Nashville Police used radar guns to pull over and cite several drivers who exceeded the speed limit on Murfreesboro Pike near Antioch on Wednesday.
Per a report by WKRN.com, the roadway was the site of a fatal accident on Tuesday that claimed the lives of two people, including a local teen.
A spokesperson with the MNPD told reporters that the department had already increased its presence and patrols before the accident occurred due to several accidents that were reported in a small area of Murfreesboro Pike in recent months.
Nine accidents were reported between the 3000 block and 4000 block of the roadway between Jan. 1, 2016, and Jan. 30, 2017. In addition, reporters say that they witnessed six drivers get pulled over within 10 minutes of observing the area.
The fatal accident that occurred earlier this week was due to speeding, and MNPD’s spokesperson says that the state needs to re-evaluate its requirements for obtaining a driver’s license, as teens currently aren’t required to take driver’s education courses before getting licensed.
However, the MNPD currently offers a teen driver awareness program for young drivers, which is available for free.
How Does Speeding Contribute to Accidents and Injuries?
Roadways in Tennessee are clearly marked with signs that indicate the maximum speed that vehicles can travel. For interstates, this is usually anywhere from 55 mph to 70 mph, while residential roadways may have speed limits as low as 5 mph. These speed limits are designed to reduce the risks of accidents based on things like elevation changes, curves, proximity to pedestrians, and visibility.
When drivers exceed speed limits, their risk of being involved in accidents and suffering serious injuries increase because of the following factors:
Safe driving is all about defensive maneuvering and reacting to the movements of other vehicles. Other drivers are unpredictable, and that means you need to be prepared and ready to quickly react to anything in your path. When you’re speeding, it’s more difficult slow down, stop, or swerve to avoid a potential collision. The faster you’re going, the less time you have to react.
Whether they’re traveling on a slick and icy roadway, driving up or down a steep elevation change, or navigating a tight turn, a driver that’s exceeding the speed limit is much more likely to lose control than a driver who is traveling at or below the speed limit. Speeding makes the tread on your tires, the effectiveness of your steering, and the ability of your brakes to slow your vehicle less capable and reliable than at normal speeds, making it harder to stay in control.
Physics dictates that a vehicle traveling at 10 mph is going to do a lot less damage to another vehicle during a collision than a car that’s traveling at 60 mph. What may be considered a fender bender with no injuries or major vehicle damage can turn into a life-threatening accident that totals vehicles and sends victims to the hospital with only one change: speed. All types of accidents aren’t just more likely to occur at higher speeds, but they also become more dangerous when they occur at higher speeds.
Law enforcement throughout Middle Tennessee is always watching out for drivers that exceed the speed limit. Getting caught speeding can result in a heavy fine—especially if it happened while you were driving through a construction or school zone, or if you were significantly exceeding the speed limit. Some drivers may even lose their licenses after accumulating too many speeding tickets.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys know how dangerous speed is and how often it contributes to crashes. When a vehicle is speeding just before a collision, everyone involved, including all drivers and passengers, is more likely to suffer a serious injury.
If you or someone you know was hurt in a car accident that was caused by a speeding driver, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. Our legal team will build a claim that proves the other driver’s negligence, and then we’ll negotiate with the insurance company to get maximum damages for you and your family. Dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form today.
