Arrive Alive

What if I could give you a piece of information that could reduce your chances of being involved in a motor vehicle crash 10-fold? Starting tomorrow, we start a 10-part series "Arrive Alive" which aims to elevate community awareness and impart crucial traffic safety tips to prevent motor vehicle crashes. As a follower of this page, you'll receive a valuable safety tip covering a specific aspect of road safety. Designed to cater to drivers of all ages and experience levels, this campaign not only highlights common driving hazards but also offers practical advice on how to avoid them. Join us in our commitment to making our roads safer. Share these tips with your friends and family, and let's make sure everyone Arrives Alive.

Driving is a daily activity for millions, and while it often feels routine, it requires attention, skill, and a well-maintained vehicle. Understanding the human errors that commonly lead to motor vehicle crashes is crucial for every driver.

Tip #10 - Vehicle Mechanical Failures

Although not entirely human error, negligence in vehicle maintenance can lead to serious mechanical failures that cause accidents. Common issues include brake failure, tire blowouts, and engine problems.

Prevention Tip: Regularly service your vehicle as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Pay special attention to brakes, tires, and fluids.

Tip #9 - Driver Impairment

Impairment due to alcohol or drugs is a significant factor in vehicle accidents. These substances severely affect a driver’s reaction time, decision-making abilities, and overall control.

Prevention Tip: Always plan for a designated driver or use public transport or a taxi if you have been drinking or using drugs that impair your ability to drive.

Tip #8 - Speeding

The #1 cause of motor vehicle crashes in Tennessee is Speeding. Driving above the speed limit or too fast for road conditions is a leading cause of injury and death on Tennessee roadways. High speed reduces the available time a driver has to react to emergencies and increases the severity of an accident. Other drivers around you can not properly judge distance from other vehicles that are speeding and often pull out in front of speeding drivers significantly increasing rear-end collisions.

Prevention Tip: Always adhere to speed limits and adjust your speed to match the road conditions. It's not only the right thing to do to protect yourself, it protects others.

Tip #7 - Distractions Inside the Vehicle

In 2022, 3,308 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. Distractions such as using a smartphone, adjusting the radio, or interacting with passengers can divert a driver's attention away from the road. It's not just smartphones and technology that distract drivers. On patrol, officers see all kinds of dangerous behavior, like eating and drinking, shaving, applying make-up, and even sight seeing, Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

Prevention Tip: Use your smartphone only with hands-free devices, set your radio or playlist before you drive, and keep your focus on the road. Slow down, phone down.

Tip #6 - Not Using Seat Belts

Failure to use seat belts is a significant risk factor for severe injury in an accident. Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. Seat belts are the best defense against impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers. Being buckled up during a crash helps keep you safe and secure inside your vehicle; being completely ejected from a vehicle is almost always deadly.

Prevention Tip: Make it a habit to buckle up as soon as you get into your car, and ensure all passengers do the same. Please, this Cinco de Mayo, buckle up today, and every day.

Tip #5 - Fatigue

Driving while tired can impair reaction times and decision-making skills as much as driving under the influence of alcohol. Research has indicated that being awake for 18 hours is comparable to having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent, which is legally intoxicated and leaves you at equal risk for a crash.

Prevention Tip: Take regular breaks on long trips, and if you feel drowsy, find a safe place to stop and rest.

For more information, see National Sleep Foundation http://www.drowsydriving.org

Tip #4 - Poor Weather Conditions

Poor weather, such as rain, snow, or fog, can impair visibility and make road surfaces slippery. Proper vehicle maintenance before bad weather arrives is one of the most important steps for staying safe on Tipton County's roadways. Old and brittle windshield wipers and dirty or damaged headlights can reduce visibility. Improper tire pressure and tread and worn brakes can decrease the vehicle’s ability to stop or remain on the road. Check this equipment often to ensure it remains in good working order.

Prevention Tip: Slow down during bad weather, use headlights, and maintain a safe following distance. Use the 4-second rule for following distance.

Tip #3 - Failure to Yield the Right of Way

Failing to yield the right of way at intersections, when merging, or at pedestrian crossings can lead to collisions. Pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way.

Prevention Tip: Be aware of traffic signs and signals, and always give way as required by law.

Tip #2 - Improper Turns and Illegal Maneuvers

Making unauthorized or unsafe turns or lane changes can cause accidents. Making u-turns in the middle of Munford Avenue is a no-no. The key to safety is being predictable so other drivers can adapt to your driving. Using turn signals and obeying traffic signs and signals make you very predictable to other drivers and keep everyone safe.

Prevention Tip: Always use turn signals, observe traffic signs, and execute turns only when it is safe.

Our #1 Tip - Following Too Closely

This is the #2 cause of motor vehicle crashes in Tennessee. Tailgating reduces the time a driver has to react if the car ahead stops abruptly.

Prevention Tip: Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, using the "three-second rule" as a guide under normal driving conditions, and extend this distance in poor weather.