TDOT Teaches Teens Importance of Work Zone Safety
Special Work Zone Awareness Week “Between the Barrels” Presentation Given at Greenbrier High School

Nashville, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) delivered a powerful message about the dangers of driving in work zones to hundreds of students at Greenbrier High School today. The presentation of the “Between the Barrels” program, which is geared toward high school students who are just learning to drive, coincides with Work Zone Awareness Week.

Today’s presentation also included two special guests with first-hand knowledge of the perils of working on the roadways. TDOT employee David Edmondson spoke to students about the day he witnessed the death of a fellow worker who was struck and killed by a tractor trailer while performing maintenance work on I-65. Alicia Larkins, whose husband Tennessee State Trooper Todd Larkins was struck and killed on Interstate 40, spoke to the students about her loss and the importance of the Move Over law.   

“First hand accounts of these tragic events can have a dramatic impact on these young drivers,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “We appreciate the willingness of Mr. Edmondson and Mrs. Larkins to share a potentially life-saving message with these teenagers.”

TDOT launched the “Between the Barrels” program in April 2007 as a way to teach young, inexperienced drivers the signs they need to know to identify a work zone and tips to help them drive safely through these areas. In the last year, the program has been seen by more than 35,000 teenagers in schools throughout the state.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for American teenagers.   In 2005, approximately 251 teens, ages 16 and 17, were involved in work zone crashes in Tennessee, one of which involved a fatality. In 2006, 143 teenagers ages 16-19 were killed in traffic crashes in Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety. In most cases, a teen was the driver.

“Nearly a hundred and fifty teenagers lost their lives in traffic crashes in Tennessee in 2006,” said Department of Safety Commissioner David Mitchell. “I believe this program can save lives and we’re proud to partner with TDOT on this important initiative.”

TDOT is pleased to offer this program with the support of several agencies, including the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, the 3M Traffic Safety Systems Division, the Tennessee Road Builders Association, Lamar Advertising and the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference.

For more information on Between the Barrels, visit http://www.tn.gov/tdot/wzsafety/.