Two Memphis intersections have landed on a list of the riskiest roads in the United States. Lyxt, a company providing video telematics, data and analytics for commercial and public sector fleets, released a list of the top 10 intersections with the highest observed driver cell phone use, and two within the Memphis city limits made the list. Lytx provides dash camera technology to commercial trucks and 18-wheeler fleets. In 2018, the company identified over 1.3 million instances of cell phone use within trucks who used the technology.
The two Memphis intersections on the list are Compress Drive and S. Lauderdale Street (area code 38016), and E. Holmes Road and Lamar Avenue (area code 38118). Compress and Lauderdale ranked number 1 on their list of riskiest roads in the United States. This intersection is close to a FedEx Ground Hub, located at 555 Compress Drive, Memphis, TN 38106, meaning lots of commercial vehicles enter this area on a daily basis. Holmes and Lamar ranked number 4 on the list. This section is also known to Memphians as a high-traffic area.
According to Lytx, drivers who use handheld cell phones while behind the wheel are approximately 50% more likely to be involved in an accident compared to drivers who do not. Lyxt’s data appears in line with data collected by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): cell phone use and texting while driving significantly increase the odds of a collision. Per federal regulators, the odds of being involved in an accident, unintended lane change, or near-crash are 23.2 times higher for commercial drivers who text while driving. When reading or sending a text, drivers tend to take their eyes off the road for around 4.6 seconds – which can equate to driving the length of a football field at 55 miles per hour.
To combat the dangers of texting while driving, commercial drivers (including truckers, delivery drivers, and bus drivers) are not allowed to use handheld cell phones while driving. This rule prohibits texting while driving, surfing the internet, holding a cell phone to talk, and even dialing a phone number (See FMCSR 49 CFR Part 383). If a commercial driver wants to use a cell phone while driving, it must be a hands-free device which involves pressing no more than one button.
The commercial trucking industry is heavily regulated due to the sheer size of these vehicles and demands of long hours placed on the drivers. When a commercial truck or bus collides with a private vehicle, the results can be devastating. Significant damage, including traumatic injuries and even loss of life, can occur. When pursuing a claim against a truck driver for negligence, you should seek legal counsel experienced in interstate trucking accident cases to give yourself the best chance at recovering all of your damages. Trucking companies are required by law to conduct drug tests following accidents, maintain driver logs, and keep other forms of information. An experienced attorney will take steps to prevent that evidence from being destroyed, also known as spoliation of evidence. At our firm, we have the experience and resources necessary to consult with qualified expert witnesses who can analyze such information and determine if a cell phone was being used at the time of the wreck.
If you have been injured in a car or truck crash, let our trucking accident team protect your rights and fight on your behalf. We have helped injured victims seek justice for 30+ years, and we have the experience and resources to take on large trucking companies and their insurers. For a free consultation with an attorney today, call Team NST at 800-529-4004 or complete our online form.