traffic news february 2010

8/14/2019 Traffic News February 2010

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Traffic News February 2010Traffic News February 2010Traffic News February 2010

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M e t r o p o l i t a n N a s h v i l l e P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t

M e t r o p o l i t a n N a s h v i l l e P o l i c e D e p a r t m e n t

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Unfortunately this year in Davidson County there have already been eight fatal crashes

resulting in eight deaths. Out of these eight crashes, six victims have been unrestrained

Three of the six people have been partially or fully ejected from the vehicle. According to

the Tennessee Department of Transportation “seat belts are the most effective safety devices

in vehicles today, estimated to save 13,000 lives each year, while 7,000 people die because

they did not use belts.” Maybe these are just statistics to you or maybe you have you

reasons for not wearing a seat belt, but I challenge you to read the following questions and

answers. It just might save you life.

1. Can’t seat belts actually cause injuries?

Yes, it is possible that wearing a seat belt could cause injury during a crash. The most

common injuries with seatbelts are bruising and broken ribs. These injuries are far more

manageable than those experienced when you are not restrained. To ensure that seat belt

cause the least damage possible they must be worn properly. Lap belts must be worn low

and snug on the hips; wearing them on the stomach can cause internal injuries. Shoulde

belts must be worn across the shoulder and chest. Placing the shoulder belt behind your back

or under your arm makes the seat belt less effective. Your head will still go forward and

possibly strike the dashboard, windshield, or steering wheel. “Pregnant women should wea

the lap belt below the abdomen and the shoulder belt above the belly.” If you are too large to

fit in the seat belt there are seat belt extenders made for most domestic vehicles. You will

need to obtain an extender from the car manufacturer; these extenders are vehicle specific.

2. Shouldn’t wearing a seat belt be a personal choice?

No, because choosing not to wear a seat belt can affect not only yourself , but others as well

Unbelted drivers often have less control over a vehicle during a crash, therefore commonly

making the crash more severe. Unrestrained passengers are often thrown around in the

vehicle colliding with other occupants and causing serious injury not only to themselves bu

others in the car.

3. If my car catches on fire, won’t I be trapped inside?

According to TDOT “only one-half percent of all crashes ends in fire or submersion.” Out o

the twenty-five crashes in Davidson County during 2008, where seat belts were applicable

only one crash involved a fire. However, six of those twenty-five crashes had victims tha

were either partially or fully ejected. You are far more likely to be ejected from your vehicle

not wearing a seat belt than you are being trapped inside during a fire or submersion while

wearing a seat belt. And if you are ejected from your vehicle you are four times more likely

to die than occupants remaining in the vehicle.

“Every hour, at least one person in this country dies because he or she did not buckle up

Failure to use seat belts contributes to more fatalities than any other single traffic safety-

related behavior.” Please think about this information the next time you sit in a vehicle. And

remember, if someone refuses to buckle up in your vehicle, they are not only risking thei

life, but yours as well.

* All information in this article was obtained from Tennessee Department of Transportation.



TRAFFIC SECTION NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2010

February 2009 fatal crash recap

4 CRASHES

5 DEATHS

1 UNDER THE INFLUENCE

3 NOT WEARING SEATBELT

0 PEDESTRIANS

21 - 78 AGE RANGE OF VICTIMS

Pedestrian Quick Facts

“On average, a pedestrian is killed in a

traffic crash every 113 minutes in The

United States Keep yourself safe by:

Use a crosswalk if available

Limit alcohol consumption if walking.

Alcohol and/or drug impairment affects

your judgment, coordination, balance,

vision and alertness.

On July 1, 2004 Tennessee made the seat belt law a primary enforcement law. This allows officers to stop and ticket

drivers for not wearing a seat belt even if there is no other traffic violation. Tennessee law states that everyone in the

front seat, regardless of age, must wear a seat belt. Children ages four through seven must wear a seat belt no matterwhere they are sitting in a car. Passengers in the rear seats over seventeen are not required by law to wear their seat

belts. The child safety seat guidelines for children can sometimes be hard to remember so below I have placed a card

that should help parents or caregivers to remember the proper way to buckle their child. Feel free to cut out the card,

copy, and give to your friends and family.



TRAFFIC SECTION NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2010

* Allow plenty of time to reach your destination

* Drive Slowly

* Increase Following Distance

* Turn on lights to increase visibility for yourself and other motorists

*Be extra careful on bridges, overpasses, and infrequently traveled roads. These places tend tofreeze first, even if the temperature if above freezing.

* Do not use cruise control

* If you begin to skid, remain calm, release accelerator, carefully steer in the direction you want

the front of your vehicle to go, and gently pump brakes (if you do not have anti-lock brakes) if

you do have ABS then apply steady pressure to the brakes.

* Snow Shovel

* Broom

* Ice Scraper

* Jumper Cables

* Flashlight

* Warning Devices (flares, markers)

* Blankets

* Food & Water

* Any necessary medications

* Check Battery Power

* Inspect Tires to make sure that tread is adequate and that air pressure is at the manufacturers

recommended PSI (pounds per square inch

*Have enough coolant in your vehicle

* Fill vehicle’s windshield washer reservoir completely

* Make sure windshield wipers work, if blades are worn replace them

* Make sure you defroster (both front and back) work properly

Cold weather is here and looks like it will be for awhile.

The best way to drive safely on icy roads is to not drive at

all. If you must get out please follow the recommendations

listed below. I have also included some tips for ensuring

your vehicle is properly maintained therefore reducing your

chances of being stranded in the cold. If by chance you do

become stranded please make sure that your vehicle is

stocked with items listed to the right.



The Special Operations Division, Traffic Section of the Metropolitan

Nashville Police Department strives to make our streets the safest streets

the country for traveling and local motorists. One way we are able to do

is by receiving tips from you, the Nashville Community. You can provide

your tips online at : http://www.police.nashville.org/bureaus/fieldops/

aggressive_driving.htm. Another way we are improving the safety of our

roadways is through education and information sharing. If you have a top

you need information on, chances are someone else does too. Feel free

e-mail me at [email protected] with your traffic related

questions. I will answer your questions and may also include a section

covering that topic in future newsletters.1417 Murfreesboro Pike

Nashville, TN 37219

METROPOLITAN POLICE

DEPARTMENT

Phone: (615)862-7738

Fax: (615)880-2894E-mail: [email protected]

Special Operations Division ,Traffic

Section

CRIME STOPPERSCrime Stoppers - 862-7463 - Crime Stoppers can refer you to a specializedcrime unit if needed (i.e. - Gang Unit, Vice, Gambling and Prostitution, etc.)

Traffic/ Hit & Run - 862-7713 & 862-7738

You can also provide tips and witness information at our website :http://www.police.nashville.com/

Call 74-CRIME OR

Text the word CASH and your message to Crimes (274637)

ALL THREE WAYS ARE ANONYMOUS AND SECURE.

traffic news february 2010

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