Posted in Car Accident,Drunk Driving on April 8, 2017
A suspected drunk driver crashed his vehicle into a Metro Nashville Police cruiser late Wednesday night, causing the officer inside to suffer injuries.
Per a report by WKRN.com, the accident occurred just before midnight on Old Harding Pike near South Colony Drive in Davidson County.
The officer who was injured had just responded to an earlier suspected DUI crash that had occurred in Bellevue the same night. The MNPD reports that the officer used his vehicle to block the roadway at the scene of the previous suspected DUI accident when the driver of an SUV drove towards the accident scene and crashed his vehicle into the officer’s cruiser.
The impact of the collision caused the officer to suffer minor injuries, and he was transported to a local hospital to receive treatment. Both the driver of the SUV and the driver of the vehicle involved in the earlier crash were arrested and charged with DUI.
Emergency responders remained at both crash scenes for several hours as they worked to investigate the accidents and clean up debris.
What Should You Do When You Approach a Road Block?
Whether it’s due to a sobriety checkpoint, a seat belt checkpoint, road work and repairs, or a serious accident, road blocks are something all drivers will experience. And because road blocks often require that one or more emergency responders or utility workers stand in or near the roadway, it’s vital that drivers proceed through these areas with caution to avoid causing serious accidents.
The next time you approach a road block, always follow these tips:
The most important thing to do at a road block is to stop and wait for instructions from police officers, state troopers, or road workers. You may need to wait for several minutes before passing through the road block, or you may be waved through right away. Never attempt to drive through or around a road block without getting permission or instructions from a worker who is attending to the road block.
If you drive through a seat belt or sobriety checkpoint, be prepared to hand over important driving-related documents to the officer, including your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. Keep these items in an easily accessible location to make the checkpoint process smoother.
Sometimes road blocks are set up to divert traffic away from or around serious accidents that are blocking part of the roadway. Keep your eyes and mind focused on the road as you drive through these road blocks. Many secondary accidents occur near other accident scenes due to drivers being distracted.
Many road blocks have several people present, whether they’re road repair workers or law enforcement officers. When you get the go-ahead to drive through a road block, make sure you reduce your speed and proceed through with caution, as workers and officers may be standing close to the path of traffic.
Although most drivers don’t encounter road blocks daily, they are common enough that all drivers should know how to handle them in a safe manner. Common safe driving tips apply even in these special circumstances, including reducing your speed/coming to a complete stop, avoiding distractions, watching for the presence of workers and other pedestrians, and following instructions when applicable.
Knowing the right steps for driving through road blocks can help make you a better and safer driver, as can following all traffic laws every time you get behind the wheel. When drivers fail to do so, they may be considered negligent—and that can lead to serious accidents.
If you or someone you know was hurt in an auto accident that was caused by a driver who was speeding, following too closely, driving under the influence, or driving while distracted, you may be able to file a claim for compensation due to his or her negligence. To find out how you can get money for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain suffering, contact the Nashville auto accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law today. Dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
