TDOT reveals sign contest winners

NASHVILLE — “Turn Signals, the original text message.”

Online voters chose that message as their favorite in the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s sign message contest.

TDOT released the top five messages Monday. The winning messages, in order of votes, are:

1. “Turn signals, the original instant messaging.”
2. “Get the cell off your phone and drive.”
3. “Practice safe text. Don’t do it while driving.”
4. “You’re in Tennessee. Volunteer to drive safe.”
5. “Ain’t nobody got time for a wreck. Slow it down.”

The message will be placed in rotation to run on the overhead Dynamic Message Signs across the Volunteer State throughout the year.

The No. 1 message, “Turn signals, the original instant messaging,” will run this week.

A total of 190 Dynamic Message Signs are located in the state’s four urban areas — Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville — and in some rural areas across the state, according to the TDOT website.

The main purpose of the signs is to alert motorists of incidents, lane blockages, hazardous road conditions or Amber Alerts.