Protecting Yourself on Dangerous Tennessee Roads Like “The Dragon”
Residents of Blount Country and visitors of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park know all too well the dangers of driving on “The Dragon’s Tail.” It’s a stretch of road on US 129 that’s named for it’s tight, winding curves along a very steep drop. The portion of roadway boasts 318 curves along 11 miles.
It’s an ideal place for a car or motorcycle ride, but it’s dangerous. From 2010 to 2012, there were 204 total crashes on The Dragon, from the Tennessee/North Carolina State Line to Tabcat Bridge. Six of accidents involved fatalities. Vehicles longer than 30 feet, including trucks, have been banned from this mountainous section of eastern Tennessee roadway since 2014.
Safe driving on risky roads
CarInsuranceComparison.com ranked Tennessee 9th on its list of “States with the Most Dangerous Roads in America.” This doesn’t mean you have to stay home and can’t enjoy a scenic drive through Tennessee. As a contentious driver, you can enjoy the freedom of the open road by operating your vehicle with care and focus. On dangerous, winding roads like The Dragon, protect you and your loved ones from a car accident with these tips:
- Reduce your speed before entering a bend.
- Coast while in the apex of the bend.
- Speed up slightly when getting out of the curve.
- Hug the center line on narrow roads.
- Watch for warning signs of where curves will be.
- Drive with the flow of traffic and let people pass when necessary.
- Never looking at your cell phone while driving.
- Drive during the day when you can see the curves in front of you.
- Keep your headlights on.
- Be careful of wildlife.
Unfortunately, even if you drive flawlessly, there may be other dangerous drivers on the road. Drivers could be speeding, driving while intoxicated, driving while distracted, or drowsy driving on these hazardous roads—leaving you and your family in danger of serious injury.
Have you been injured in a car crash and need a Gladiator on your side? The Nashville auto accident attorneys at the Rocky McElhaney Law Firm have earned a reputation for being bulldogs in and outside of a courtroom. Let us fight for your right to compensation. Speak to a Nashville auto accident attorney today by calling 615-425-2500 or by using our contact form. We have offices in Nashville, Hendersonville, Clarksville or Knoxville.
Nashville personal injury attorney Rocky McElhaney is a well-known and respected lawyer as well as published author, helping Tennesseans through difficult times since the turn of the century. Rocky builds friendships with his clients, not just professional relationships. Rocky McElhaney is a Super Lawyer, AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell, has been named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association and has been awarded Best Lawyer in Nashville by the Nashville Scene Readers’ Poll
The Rocky McElhaney Law Firm represents people who have been injured by car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, negligent premises owners, defective products and many other forms of negligence throughout the state of Tennessee. The firm also represents clients in the areas of workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability claims.