Driving can be difficult enough in the winter around Knoxville. But it’s even more difficult to arrive safely when you don’t pay attention to the road in front of you.
Unfortunately, more people all the time are distracted while driving on Tennessee roads. The statistics are alarming and the highway patrol is working to do something about it. But it’s really up to everyone to put down the phone and drive without distractions.
Far too many crashes
According to a report issued last October, there were over 22,700 distracted driving crashes in the last year. The number of fatalities was a staggering 81. That is a lot of people killed and injured for an entirely preventable cause.
The fine for texting while driving is $60 in Tennessee. You can also be ticketed for “Lack of due care” and face a fine of $150 for any reason your attention isn’t on the road in front of you. This can include adjusting your radio or GPS, or even eating.
Doing something about it
The Tennessee Highway Safety Office has launched a number of campaigns to put a stop to distracted driving. Last year a bus tour criss-crossed the state with a message to stop all forms of distracted driving. It came with a Highway Patrol escort which handed out over 200 tickets along the way.
The message is being driven home across the state, with local police joining in. It is considered the most significant growing danger on our roads.
There have also been some calls to increase the penalties for distracted driving as part of the crackdown.
Drive without distractions
As much as the authorities want to crackdown, it’s really up to everyone to make our roads safer. Simply put down the phone and drive without distractions. If everyone paid attention to driving, we would have far fewer accidents and deaths on the roads.
Have you been injured?
Driving while distracted and lack of due care are important causes for assigning fault in an accident. If you have been in an accident caused by a distracted driver, as far too many have here in Knoxville, you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side.
There is no excuse for not paying attention to the road. If someone else’s negligence has resulted in your injury, you deserve to be compensated.
