Posted in Car Accident,Tennessee Accident Law on June 9, 2017
Middle Tennessee and the city of Manchester are home to one of the world’s biggest music festivals, which attracts more than 80,000 people every year. In response, several local law enforcement agencies step up their presence to safely management traffic and keep drivers safe.
Per a report by Clarksville Now, the festival kicks off on Thursday night and continues until Sunday evening. Traffic in and around Manchester is expected to significantly increase. Officers with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Manchester Police Department, and Coffee County Sheriff’s Department will all be on hand to make sure traffic flows smoothly and to help festival attendees enter the grounds without incident.
Gates opened to ticket-holders at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, to provide more time for attendees to park their vehicles and set up their camp sites. In 2016, there were 13 traffic crashes that involved two injuries and one fatality. Officers also wrote 626 citations.
TDOT HELP units will be available to assist drivers. Anyone who needs assistance can contact TDOT by dialing 511 from a mobile or land line phone.
Tips for Driving in Heavy Traffic
Whether it’s due to an accident, an event, or just an unusually large number of vehicles on the road, traffic is an everyday reality for many drivers. While it can be frustrating to drive bumper to bumper with other vehicles—or to experience complete stand-stills—knowing the best way to handle this type of traffic can make it easier to get to your destination safely.
Do your best to follow these tips to make dealing with traffic a little easier and less dangerous:
Heavy traffic can wear on anyone’s patience. But it’s important to maintain safe driving habits the entire time you’re behind the wheel—and that includes times when you’re moving slowly. Stick to a lane and stay in it unless you see an indication that it’s ending. Many drivers try to move faster by frequently switching lanes during traffic jams, but doing can increase the risk of an accident.
You also may be tempted to drive closely behind the vehicle directly in front of you. However, traffic jams are unpredictable, and it’s common for traffic to begin moving smoothly again for a period of seconds or minutes before another sudden slowdown occurs. Keeping plenty of distance means that you’ll have time to react and slow down or stop, avoiding collisions in the front and rear of your vehicle.
Some drivers are tempted to engage in distracting behaviors when they’re in heavy traffic. These behaviors can include everything from talking on the phone and texting, to reading books and even working on a computer. However, low-speed traffic can still be dangerous and requires your full attention and concentration. Keep your eyes and mind on the road, regardless of the speed of traffic around you.
Before you take a long trip or begin your daily commute, set up your GPS or smartphone navigation system with audio turn-by-turn commands. Live traffic reports can help you avoid major congestion, and voice commands make it easier to take the right route without the distraction associated with looking at the screen.
At Matt Hardin Law, we know that many people who live in and around Middle Tennessee experience heavy traffic frequently—with some experiencing it multiple times per day. It’s important to remember that heavy traffic volumes can increase the risk of accidents, even if all nearby vehicles are traveling slowly.
It’s up to drivers to continue to engage in safe driving behaviors, whether they’re driving on clear rural roads or heavily congested city interstates. If you or someone you know was hurt in a crash caused by a negligent driver, you may be eligible to pursue a claim for compensation. Find out how our Clarksville auto accident attorneys can collect evidence and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Dial (931) 274-7788 or complete a free online consultation form to get in touch with us today.
