Tennessee Leads Nation in Rates of Distracted Driving
Tennessee recently received an undesirable ranking: it has some of the most distracted drivers in the nation. According to a study conducted by the National Safety Council, 10.6% of all deadly crashes in Tennessee involve distracted driving, and, more specifically, the use of a cell phone. This is ten times the national average of deadly crashes involving cell phones, making Tennessee’s rate of distracted drivers higher than states like Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Distracted driving has become an epidemic problem in Tennessee and nationwide. Distracted driving is defined as operating a motor vehicle while engaged in any sort of activity which diverts the driver’s attention from driving. Common distractions include: texting, making a phone call, answering the phone, emailing, surfing on the web, eating, looking in the mirror, and tending to children or pet passengers. Distractions can also come from outside the vehicle, such as taking your eyes off the road to observe scenery, landmarks, buildings, people, animals, or any other such distracting sights.
Distracted driving is not just problematic—it is deadly. In 2011 alone, over 3,331 drivers were killed due to distracted driving and a whooping 387,000 were injured. In an effort to combat distracted driving, 41 states, including Tennessee, have passed legislation banning texting while driving. In 2009, the Tennessee state legislator passed a law making it illegal to text and drive. The crime is a class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $50.00. The statute defines the crime of texting while driving as reading or transmitting a text message while the vehicle is in motion. In other words, it is not illegal to text at a red light or stop sign. This definition makes Tennessee’s law quite restrictive. The law has been criticized for its narrow definition and relatively paltry monetary consequences. Due to the narrow definition, it is difficult for officer’s to ascertain whether an individual has truly been texting while the vehicle was in motion, or was at a stop at the time the message was read or transmitted.
Recently, Tennessee has developed a new tool to catch distracted drivers. The Tennessee Highway Patrol launched a new campaign to identify and cite drivers who text. They are using the Tennessee Highway Patrol tractor trailer to get a better, higher up look at what precisely drivers are doing in their vehicles. The patrol vehicle is manned with two drivers: one driving, and the other observing. The tractor trailer is driven down the center lane and the observing patrolmen looks to catch texting drivers. Surprisingly, officers state most drivers never see the tractor trailer come up alongside it. This makes it effective at spotting lawbreaking drivers. There is only one tractor trailer, so the districts are taking turns with it.
The purpose of the new THP tractor trailer is two-fold: to catch and punish distracted drivers and to educate the public on the dangers of distracted driving. Law enforcement officers will have final numbers in soon, and the efficacy of the new tractor trail tool can then be determined. Regardless of the ultimate effectiveness of the tractor trailer, Tennessee’s new focus on preventing texting while driving and other forms of distracted driving is worthy. Our great state deserves many accolades, but leading state for distracted drivers is not a welcomed one. Hopefully, through new enforcement tools and perhaps some legislative reforms, we can soon shed the title.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a distracted driver, the professional automobile accident attorneys at Bailey & Greer can help. The attorneys at Bailey & Greer have represented countless victims of automobile accidents in Tennessee involving distracted driving. Our team of skilled and knowledgeable Memphis auto accident attorneys will fight tirelessly for your full recovery. Call us today 901-680-9777 to schedule a free consultation.
Since graduating magna cum laude in 2005 from the University of Memphis School of Law, Thomas has helped make a difference in the lives of victims of serious personal injury, wrongful death, and professional negligence. Thomas has extensive trial experience in both state and federal court. Among other victories in the courtroom, Thomas obtained several impressive jury verdicts and settlements
Read more about Thomas R. Greer