A new national strategy for safer roadways targets distracted driving.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Drivers in Tennessee's four largest cities have been noticing message boards imploring them to not drive while drowsy. A Germantown family worked for a decade to get that message out.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation electronic message boards over interstate highways in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville flash the message, "Please, Don't Drive Drowsy," along with a tally of fatalities so far this year statewide. That figure exceeds 600.
The Commercial Appeal reported the message resonates with the family of Kyle Kiihnl, who was a 17-year-old junior at Houston High School in Germantown when a teenage driver fell asleep at the wheel and struck Kiihnl and a friend who were walking.
Kyle's aunt, Kathi Wright, said TDOT's use of their message validates years of hard work.