Road Safety in the State of Tennessee
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (AHAS), an alliance of consumer, health, and safety groups, as well as insurance companies and their agents, just released their annual report on highway safety. The report is used to grade all 50 states and the District of Columbia on their performance when it comes to adopting and maintaining 15 model traffic safety laws.
The good news: Tennessee was one of the 10 “best” states and received a green rating.
This year the study took a closer look at three particular areas the alliance believes are in need of stronger enforcement: text messaging, graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs and ignition‐interlock laws for drunk‐driving offenders.
Of the 15 laws examined, Tennessee has enacted 11 of them. The four recommended by the AHAS not currently in place in Tennessee include a minimum age of 16 for learner’s permit eligibility, nighttime driving provisions and age 18 for unrestricted license for teen drivers, an ignition interlock law for all offenders and an open container law.
The law firm of Terry, Terry & Stapleton applauds all measures to make Tennessee highways and roads safer. But accidents still happen. If you have been injured in a serious automobile accident, call the lawyers of Terry, Terry & Stapleton at 877-489-5411 or use our online contact form. We have offices in Morristown, Tennessee, and we care deeply about you and our Tennessee communities. Our vehicle accident lawyers have the skill and experience necessary to provide you with excellent representation. We will fight for your right to receive the financial compensation you need and deserve.
Tennessee Driving Laws – Areas for Improvement
For DUI offenders the ignition-interlock device is mandatory for six months for any second time offender charged within five years of a previous offense. Judges may also order the device for first time offenders, but it is not mandatory.
Tennessee’s open container law falls short of AHAS recommendations. The law contains a “pass the bottle” loophole where the driver can pass an open container of alcohol to a passenger or toss it into the backseat to avoid violation. The Tennessee law allows passengers to consume alcohol while the vehicle is in motion. Tennessee is one of only 11 states without full open container laws.
Tennessee has a comprehensive GDL program in place, although AHAS is encouraging even stricter regulations. Tennessee residents can apply for a learner’s permit at the age of 15, whereas AHAS encourages states to adopt the age of 16 to begin driving.
AHAS Statistics
AHAS cites the following statistics as their basis for encouraging stricter driving laws:
- 37,261 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2008. Automobile crashes remain the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of four and 34.
- More than 2.3 million people were injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2008.
- In 2008, more than half of passenger vehicle occupants killed were unrestrained.
- 5,864 fatal crashes involving young drivers ages 15‐20 occurred in 2008, resulting in 6,428 deaths.
- 1,347 children ages 14 and younger were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2008.
- 318 children ages four through seven were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2008.
Contact Us for Legal Representation
If you have been seriously injured in a car accident due to the carelessness or recklessness of another driver, do not wait to get experienced legal help. Call Terry, Terry & Stapleton today at 877-489-5411 or use our online contact form.
We will arrange a free consultation and explain all of your legal options. If your injuries were caused by the carelessness of another person we will help you seek financial compensation to put you back where you were before the accident. You won’t owe us any attorney’s fees unless we obtain a settlement for you.
