Interstate 65 is an essential north-south interstate highway in the central United States. This highway connects the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico and is a crucial cross-country north-south route. I-65 runs through the state of Tennessee for 887.3 miles. In this article, we will be giving you tips on how to avoid accidents on I-65.
Why Can I-65 Be Dangerous To Drive On?
Just recently, a report by FOX 17 stated that in response to high injury and mortality rates on I-65, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office and other Middle Tennessee law enforcement agencies teamed up to promote safety, specifically on Sundays. It’s called Operation Impact 65, according to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, because March 6 is the 65th day of the year.
In the Fox 17 report, a spokesperson from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office stated “the focus was on the main contributing factors for crashes and injuries along I-65, which includes: impaired, aggressive, and distracted driving, excessive speeding, following too close and unbelted motorists.”
What Types of Crashes Can Occur on I-65?
Sadly, there are many deadly cars crashes on I-65. One of these recent accidents was a wreck that backed up traffic for miles on May 26, 2022. This accident claimed the life of a 72-year-old Tennessee man who was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
According to the Shelby County Reporter, the bike crashed into two other vehicles, causing a tragic accident. An accident of this nature or even multi-vehicle pile-ups are the types of crashes that can occur on I-65. Other common types of interstate accidents include:
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone crashes
- Head-on collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Hit and run accidents
- Truck driver fatigue accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
How To Avoid Accidents on I-65
This busy highway requires drivers to be safe and alert while on the road. To safely navigate through this interstate, keep these right-of-way rules in mind:
- If you are tired or impaired in any way, avoid driving. According to studies, drowsy driving causes at least 100,000 car accidents each year; consequently, driving on freeways when tired or intoxicated is extremely dangerous.
- Enter the highway safely. When merging into traffic from the entrance ramp, turn on your lights, accelerate to a safe speed that closely matches traffic flow, and check your mirrors and your blind spots by looking over your shoulder to ensure a safe opening before merging onto the interstate.
- Leave room between your vehicle and other vehicles. Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you and from the vehicles on your left and right. Provide enough space for other vehicles to maneuver around you if needed.
- Drive at a safe speed. Drive at a safe speed based on the speed limit, traffic flow, weather, and road conditions.
- Drive in the correct lane and pass other cars safely. Only drive in the passing lane when passing another vehicle that is in a non-passing lane. Tennessee’s “Slow Poke Law” explains exactly which lane you should be driving in while on the interstate. Always use your turn signal to alert other drivers that you are changing lanes.
Conclusion
The attorneys and staff at Stillman & Friedland wish you a safe and healthy summer driving season. We hope this article was able to give you helpful and applicable tips for avoiding accidents on I-65. If you or a family member has been involved in an accident, contact our Nashville-based office at 615-244-2111 for a free and confidential consultation. Our law firm works on a contingency basis. Unless we reach a settlement or jury verdict award on your behalf, there is no fee.
Because we care….
