A recent Tennessean piece serves as a warning that drivers in the state might not be doing much to help improve the safety on Tennessee roads. In recent years, Tennessee has been ranked pretty high on the list of states where the most traffic fatalities occur. And it looks like 2013 will round out to be no traffic safety improvement.
In 2012, a reported 1,031 people died in auto accidents. The state is already above 800 deaths today. With the holiday season upon us, it wouldn’t be surprising to see that number reach last year’s in no time. How can the state reduce the number of fatal auto accidents?
Currently, Tennessee drivers have no reason to not be aware of the danger on the roads and of the tragic rate of loss. There are electric traffic signs on the roads that clearly flash the exact number of lives lost in Tennessee crashes thus far and how the rate compares to last year.
There are critics of the safety alert signs who reportedly worry that the signs are a dangerous distraction. Others who support the use of the traffic signs hoped that they would open up drivers’ eyes to the reality that drivers in the state need to do better. They need to stop speeding and violating other traffic laws.
Does this year’s unchanging rate of fatalities prove that the signs are not working? What do you think? Is there a better way to reduce the level of danger on the state’s roads? Behind every single increase in the number on those signs is a life that is no more. Every single addition to the death toll is evidence that negligent driving continues — and must be stopped — in Tennessee.
Source: The Tennessean, “TN’s bad drivers don’t like reminders,” Oct. 23, 2013
