TDOT Will Continue To List Number Of Roadways Deaths

The Tennessee Department of Transportation will begin displaying fatality messages on overhead interstate signs on a weekly basis instead of daily. TDOT first began displaying the fatality numbers on the overhead signs in April after an increase in fatal accidents in the first quarter of 2012. Commissioner John Schroer said, “We feel the fatality messages have been extremely successful in increasing awareness about highway deaths across the state this year, and may have helped us stop the dramatic increase we saw early in 2012″. He continued, “We have also heard from drivers who say the messages have caused them to make positive changes in their driving behavior.” TDOT officials added in addition to posting fatalities on Fridays, they will also continue to run safety messages targeted at specific issues such as texting while driving and driving under the influence on the signs. In 2012, 1,013 deaths occurred on Tennessee roadways compared to 937 in 2011.