Like many of you I am heartbroken to see families destroyed by these accidents here in Chattanooga as well as in Georgia and Virginia.
While road construction played a part in the tragic accident here, there is always the element of speed and recklessness.
As a traffic judge for 22 years I found there were three major causes involved in almost all accidents. Speed, following too close and distractive driving.
As for speed, the faster you go you have less time to react and the faster you go when you have a wreck the more violent the impact.
Many times someone pulls out or in when they shouldn’t, but I found that in those cases it was usually two people’s fault. The other driver was coming too fast.
As to following too close, drivers should stay back far enough so they can see around the vehicle in front of them and far enough back to react in case the vehicle in front confronts an emergency.
As to distractions, keep your eyes and mind on the roadway. No texting and avoid cell phone use unless an emergency. Avoid that TV screen government has allowed car manufacturers to put on the dash.
Truck drivers, please slow down. You are driving vehicles weighing between 40 to 90,000 pounds. Police, monitor this as well as high speed automobiles.
Now with all the roadwork, everybody please slow down and keep alert. Let’s not have anymore of these tragedies.
Judge Russell Bean