Twelve inches may appear to be a wide span in some circumstances; however, on the roadway, twelve inches is all that there is between the two yellow lines marking the center of the road. When drivers are paying attention, driving defensively and obeying traffic laws, these 12 inches are more than enough. Yet, when these things do not happen, that 12 inch gap can quickly close with devastating consequences. For as long as there have been cars on the roads of Tennessee, there have been car accidents to go with them.
Up until recently, the Tennessee Highway Patrol took a reactive approach to car accidents. However, they are now taking a more proactive approach by speaking to and informing the community about the dangers they see on the roads. This is being done in an effort to minimize the number of fatal car accidents that occur.
Speeding is the primary cause of car accidents. Speed limits are determined based upon the type of road and area in which it is located. When someone is driving 30 mph over the speed limit along a road with driveways exiting on to it, the chances of an accident occurring increases drastically. Additionally, with only one foot of space separating vehicles in the middle of the road, there is very little room for error.
Car accidents occur daily along Tennessee’s roadways. While most are considered minor, there are unfortunately those that come with fatal consequences. Such an accident can be devastating to all involved. When this happens, it is likely that the victim’s family will suffer financially as well as emotionally. If this is the case, the family may decide to seek a resolution through Tennessee’s civil court system.
Source: clevelandbanner.com, “When Safety Matters“, Allen Mincey, Nov. 18, 2016