Posted in Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law,Truck Wreck on August 4, 2015
Recent Construction in Midtown Nashville Increases Demand for Traffic Police
Construction of new apartments, condos, and other high-rise multi-use buildings has increased dramatically over the past few years in Nashville, Tennessee, and now the city’s Metro Public Works committee says more police are needed to direct traffic near these construction sites.
According to a report by wkrn.com, the construction occurring throughout the midtown and downtown areas of Nashville often interferes with traffic, and police officers are required to make sure traffic is diverted safely and effectively around these locations.
WKRN also reports that no police officer was directing traffic near a new high-rise development in midtown and that it caused traffic to back up for several blocks.
In addition to helping ease the flow of traffic around construction sites, police also help keep drivers and construction workers safe as they enter and exit the construction site property.
Construction sites make use of large commercial trucks, including flatbed trucks, cement trucks, and dump trucks that can pose significant risks to other motorists if the truck drivers don’t follow proper safety protocols or if traffic isn’t safely diverted from areas where those trucks are operated.
Tips for Staying Safe when Driving near Construction Sites
If you live in a metropolitan area of Middle Tennessee like Nashville, Memphis, Clarksville, or Murfreesboro, chances are you’ve seen significant amounts of new construction in recent years. Due to the strong economy of the mid-state area, new office buildings, apartments, and condos are being constructed every year in all of the major cities in the region. While progress is a great thing for these communities, it’s important to be aware that driving near construction sites can sometimes be dangerous—especially if construction crews fail to observe safety protocols.
To protect yourself and your family when driving near a construction site, do your best to follow these tips:
When construction is taking place near a street, construction crews often need to block off one or more lanes of traffic for cranes and other heavy equipment. If you notice that a lane is blocked up ahead, try to switch lanes as soon as possible. Waiting too long to switch lanes can cause you to run out of room and force you into making a dangerous maneuver when you re-enter the flow of traffic.
Vehicles entering and exiting construction sites pose the biggest dangers to drivers. These vehicles are often much larger than standard passenger vehicles and even minor accidents can cause significant damage and injuries. In addition, the drivers of these vehicles often have limited visibility and multiple blind spots. Even if you have the right of way, it’s important to drive cautiously when approaching these areas.
If you come upon a construction site and a police officer or other city worker is directing traffic, always follow his or her directions and commands. By directing the flow of traffic for both drivers and construction workers, these traffic attendants provide an invaluable service and help significantly reduce the risk of accidents at areas where accidents are most likely to occur.
While most Middle Tennessee residents don’t drive near construction sites on a daily basis, it’s a common occurrence for those who live in the metropolitan areas in the mid-state area. Whether you drive near construction sites frequently on rarely, it’s important that you and your loved ones learn and observe the proper safety protocols to stay safe. Even minor accidents involving large commercial trucks can result in serious vehicular damage and injuries.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville truck accident lawyers know that accidents still happen even when drivers are being cautious. If you were injured in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your accident-related expenses. Get in touch with our legal team today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or filling out a free online consultation form.
