Posted in Car Accident,Negligence,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on August 17, 2015
Tennessee Highway Patrol Launches Safety Campaign in Putnam County
The Cookeville district of the Tennessee Highway Patrol teamed up with Tennessee Tech University and its football team to launch a Drive to Zero Fatalities campaign, which is an awareness program designed to reduce traffic accidents and deaths in Tennessee and throughout the country.
According to a report by the Herald-Citizen, there were 42 fatal traffic accidents through this date in 2014, but that number has dropped 20 percent to 33 in 2015. A spokesperson for the THP says that increased traffic law enforcement and increased partnership and communication between law enforcement agencies has helped make roads in Cookeville and Putnam County safer in recent months.
The Drive to Zero Fatalities Campaign was created to increase awareness of traffic safety and important issues like the consistent usage of seat belts, the dangers of distracted and impaired driving, and stronger enforcement of speeding violations.
THP representatives said that the beginning of a new school year at TTU creates an influx of new drivers in the area, and that during this time of year it’s more important than ever to remind drivers to stay cautious and alert on roadways throughout Cookeville and Middle Tennessee.
3 Quick and Easy Tips to Increase Your Family’s Safety on the Road
There are countless tips drivers can follow to increase safety on the road, but the Drive to Zero Fatalities campaign focuses on three primary tips that are proven to significantly reduce traffic fatalities. These three tips include:
No matter how many precautions are taken, crashes are inevitable on Tennessee’s highways and interstates. However, drivers and passengers can significantly reduce their chances of suffering serious injuries when they’re involved in accidents by buckling up. Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of death by 45 percent in an accident and the risk of suffering a serious injury by 50 percent.
Children are at an especially high risk of suffering injuries during car accidents. One of the best ways to protect your children when they ride in the car with you is to always buckle them up securely in car seats or booster seats. Children under the age of 4 should always ride in a car seat, while children over that age or those that weigh more than 40 pounds can safely ride while sitting in a booster seat.
Speed limits are posted on specific roads and dangerous sections of roads for a reason—they are the speeds that are recommended to maintain traffic flow and protect the safety of drivers. Exceeding the speed limit on any road significantly increases your risk of being involved in an accident.
Speeding on roads that are slick or curvy can make you more prone to losing control of your vehicle or even rolling over, while speeding on interstates or in heavy traffic can increase your chances of colliding with another vehicle due to increased stopping distance. Accidents that occur at high speeds are also more likely to cause serious injuries.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Cookeville car accident attorneys appreciate the THP’s efforts of improving safety in Putnam County and throughout the Volunteer State. And although they are cracking down on traffic violations that can put lives in danger, it’s still up to drivers in Tennessee to do their part by driving safely and keeping themselves and their loved ones as safe and secure as possible.
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more. To find out how our law firm can help your family get the money you deserve, get in touch with us today. Just dial (931) 754-1188 or complete a free online consultation form. Let us put our two decades of experience to work for your family.
