Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for July 13, 2006 Karry Kamera in Kar in KY

For you Kentucky CATs and those of us who frequent "God's Country"...heads up on a new traffic law.

From the WPSD Channel 6 website...

Kentucky: New Law Requires Crash Victims to Move Cars Off Road

Brooks Ware,
WPSD NewsChannel 6

A new Kentucky law requires accident victims to move their cars off the road, as long as no one is hurt. It's called a quick clearance law and it took effect Wednesday. It's designed to keep traffic moving and prevent spin-off accidents.

But, some insurance agents say this new legislation could pose big problems. Ricky Greenwell manages Kentucky Farm Bureau of McCracken County. He's been in the insurance business for more than 20 years.

Greenwell says he's always told his clients not to move their cars after an accident. And he thinks the new quick clearance law could be trouble.

Greenwell, "Whenever the police show up they can't do a drawing or anything. They just basically take your word for it and take the other person's word for it. Which, can be very dangerous if there's not witnesses."

Dangerous because Kentucky is only a no fault state when it comes to physical injuries. Greenwell, "Whenever we come out and investigate an accident, we are going to assign fault to somebody. It may be 100% your fault, it may be 50%, it may be 30."

Just to make sure stories don't change after an accident, Greenwell advises you keep a disposable camera in your glove box. Or simply use your cell phone to snap a quick picture of the accident. "In this particular case, instead of a picture being worth a 1000 words, it may be worth a $1000 on your deductible."

Police say the new law will help clear the roadways and stop chain reaction accidents. And it could keep a non-injured person involved in a wreck from getting hurt.

Brian Barnhill, Paducah Police Department, "If somebody is involved in the first collision, they get out to inspect their car in the middle of the interstate, obviously there's a huge hazard of somebody walking around cars traveling 65 plus on the interstate."

Ricky Greenwell says he see the safety benefits. But, he says with this new law, witnesses will be essential when it comes to deciding who is at fault.