By MIKE KRAFCIK
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) – Deaths on Tennessee's roadways are up from last year.
As of Monday, there were 613 fatalities on state roadways in 2012, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety. That's an increase of 32 fatalities from the same time last year.
"We attribute a lot of this to the warmer weather we've had. We've got a lot more people that are traveling on the roadways it seems like than the same time last year," said Lt. Johnny McDonald, with the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
"It doesn't surprise me at all, and I wouldn't expect it to drop anytime soon," said David Parks, a Knoxville resident.
THP says one of the biggest tools in the department's arsenal is the state Department of Transportation's daily fatality counts, posted on message boards over the interstates.
The signs display the total statewide fatality counts. THP says drivers are paying attention to the electronic signs.
"Generally, I hear back from the people that they seem to be alarmed when they see that number and ask why and ask what's the cause of it? Is that here locally or statewide?" Lt. McDonald said.
The verdict is still out on whether the signs are truly making a difference.
"When I'm driving on the interstate, especially in a high-speed environment, my focus isn't necessarily looking at sign, comprehending that information and then comprehending that all," said Parks.
THP officials also say 54% more people who died on the interstates this year weren't wearing seatbelts, which is a higher number than normal.
"It's an alarming number when it's a simple thing to just snap, reach over and just buckle your seatbelt and go. That really alarms us," Lt. McDonald said.
The number of fatalities in the month of August is down from last year by nine deaths. THP says August is a month when the numbers of fatalities are typically on the decline.
"You don't have the younger teenage drivers out traveling the roads as much, going to their friends' house as much. They're more in school. College kids are in school," McDonald said.
In East Tennessee, road deaths are only slightly on the rise. The highway patrol's Knoxville district, which consists of 11 counties, increased by just three deaths since this time last year.
