Tennessee Department of Transportation to post oadway fatality count on digital Interstate message signs www.privateofficer.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn May 1 2012  – The Tennessee Department of Transportation will begin running a daily roadway fatality count on digital Interstate message signs after an increase in crash deaths so far this year.

The program begins Monday.

The signs will also have targeted safety messages reminding motorists to wear their seatbelts, obey the speed limit, and to not text and drive.

Preliminary reports showed that 288 people have died on Tennessee roadways from January 1 through April 27, which is up 27 from this time last year. In March alone there were 104 crash deaths, compared to 80 in March 2011. So far in April, there have been 45 fatalities, which is actually 30 fewer than 2011.

TDOT will use preliminary crash data to determine where roadway safety improvements can be made, including additional rumble strips to alert drivers when they leave the travel lane and the addition of reflective raised pavement markers.

According to THP officials, nearly half of the fatalities this year were motorists not wearing their seatbelts.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has also started large scale seatbelt and DUI enforcement efforts.

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