Author Archives: John Willis
Are reckless & inattentive driving the new drunk driving? Part II
Earlier this week, we began a discussion about reckless, careless and inattentive driving. All of these behaviors are dangerous and preventable, and each increases the likelihood a car accident. Compared to drunk drivers, however, reckless/careless/inattentive drivers rarely face criminal charges for causing injurious or fatal crashes. Moreover, the American public seems to be much… Read More »
Are reckless & inattentive driving the new drunk driving? Part I
One of our posts last week focused on a study showing that alcohol in any measurable amount is associated with a higher risk of car accidents. Research like this contradicts a widely held perception that drinking and driving is relatively safe as long as the driver has a blood-alcohol level below the legal limit… Read More »
Study: Even buzzed drivers much more likely to cause a car crash
Drunk driving has long been and continues to be one of the most deadly hazards on U.S. roads and highways. Here in Tennessee and around the country, a person is considered legally drunk when they have a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher. Does this mean that a BAC below 0.08 percent is… Read More »
OSHA seeks to make accident & injury data publicly available
In addition to conducting inspections and issuing citations for safety violations, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration also searches for ways to make employers more personally accountable for maintaining safety and preventing accidents. To that end, OSHA recently proposed a new rule that is already proving to be controversial and unpopular among business owners…. Read More »
Tyson recalls chicken after seven Tennessee residents fall ill
Although it’s been days since Tyson Foods recalled nearly 34,000 pounds of mechanically separated chicken, some residents here in Tennessee might still be concerned about product safety. This is to be expected considering the fact that seven people at a state correctional facility fell ill with food poisoning after eating salmonella-contaminated chicken. While The… Read More »
Cellphone dialing dangerous for experienced drivers, study says
Some of our recent posts have focused on distracted driving; which continues to be one of the most prevalent road hazards here in Tennessee and around the country. Texting while driving is strictly prohibited in most states, but there are other types of distraction that may be just as dangerous but have not been… Read More »
Road fatalities in Tennessee dropped to less than 1,000 last year
If you were pulled over and cited at some point in 2013, you are certainly not alone. Tennessee state troopers increased the number of DUI arrests made last year and issued more seat belt and child restraint device citations. But this was not just increased enforcement for its own sake. It was in pursuit… Read More »
Distracted driving may be the defining safety issue of our time
There are a lot of safety innovations and safety laws that we now take for granted. They are so commonplace, in fact, that it is hard to imagine a time when they did not exist or were not considered common practice. As just one example, consider seat belts. Seat belts only became standard issue… Read More »
Why the FMCSA’s truck safety agenda always seems stalled
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the federal agency most directly tasked with ensuring commercial vehicle safety on America’s roads. By extension, it is also tasked with ensuring that the rate of devastating truck accidents which occur annually in the U.S. remains as low as is possible. The FMCSA has been granted… Read More »
Uninsured motorist accused of causing fatal crash in Tennessee
A fatal car accident, no matter the circumstances, is a horrifying occurrence. When the person who caused the accident doesn’t have insurance, it can add a devastating financial layer to an already emotional situation. Recently, in Tennessee, a woman stands accused of causing a head-on collision due to her actions. An uninsured motorist like… Read More »