Posted in Car Accident,Drunk Driving,Negligence,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on May 19, 2015
Cookeville Police and Tennessee Highway Patrol Planning Safety Checkpoints
In an effort to make Memorial Day safer for families and residents of Cookeville and Putnam County, the Cookeville Police Department and the Tennessee Highway Patrol are planning sobriety checkpoints and increased seat belt enforcement this week.
According to a report by the Herald-Citizen, the THP will set up a sobriety checkpoint on Highway 135 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, May 22, in Cookeville, while the local police department will partner with the Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office to increase seat belt patrols throughout the area.
A spokesperson with the Cookeville Police Department said that officers want to make sure that drivers in the area are increase their chances of survival in the event of accidents over the Memorial Day weekend by buckling up.
The article states that 88 percent of Tennesseans buckled up in 2014, but the Volunteer State still lags behind many other states in the nation and is considered a “low use” state when compared to the national average.
In addition, more than half of the people who were killed in fatal accidents in 2014 weren’t wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.
The Cookeville personal injury lawyers at Matt Hardin Law appreciate the efforts made by the Cookeville police department and the Tennessee Highway Patrol in enforcing seat belt usage and getting drunk and intoxicated drivers off the road.
Why is Wearing a Seat Belt So Important?
Seat belts have been in vehicles for decades, and while many other safety features have been added to passenger vehicles in recent years, nothing can replace the importance of wearing a seat belt. They can save lives and reduce the likelihood of serious injuries by:
Cars generate significant amounts of momentum while traveling down the road, and when they’re forced to suddenly stop or slow down during accidents, much of that momentum is transferred to objects inside the vehicle—including the driver and his or her passengers. Seat belts prevent occupants of vehicles from striking hard objects, like the steering wheel and dashboard, which can significantly reduce the risk of injuries.
One of the biggest risks drivers and passengers face during car accidents is being ejected from the vehicle. Victims who are ejected during car accidents face a much higher likelihood of suffering severe and even fatal injuries than victims who remain inside their vehicle during the accident. Seat belts restrain victims during accidents and keep them inside the vehicle where they will be better protected by airbags and other safety features.
Victims who aren’t buckled up during crashes may pose significant threats to one another—especially if the vehicle flips or rolls over. By keeping victims restrain in their seats, seat belts greatly reduce or eliminate the risk of drivers and passengers striking each other during accidents and causing serious injuries.
The Cookeville personal injury attorneys at Matt Hardin Law have handled countless car accident claims over the past 20 years, and we know that seat belts make a big difference in the number and severity of injuries that victims suffer. That’s why we encourage all drivers in Putnam County and throughout the state to wear their seat belts at all times.
If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, our legal may be able to help you get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us today by dialing (931) 754-1188 or fill out a free online form. You shouldn’t have to pay for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
