Results for the top five creative messages entered in the Tennessee Department of Transportation's Dynamic Message Sign Contest were announced Monday.
The top five messages in order of votes are:
* "Turn signals, the original instant messaging."
* "Get the cell off your phone and drive."
* "Practice safe text. Don't do it while driving."
* "You're in Tennessee. Volunteer to drive safe."
* "Ain't nobody got time for a wreck. Slow it down."
The winning messages beat out nearly 3,000 submitted entries, and more than 3,700 votes were cast for 15 messages selected as finalists. The messages covered issues such as distracted driving, seatbelt use, impaired driving, speeding and aggressive driving.
The contest was aimed at raising awareness about highway safety, but TDOT officials say the end goal is to alert Tennessee motorists to incidents including lane blockages, hazardous road conditions and Amber Alerts.
The top winning message will run on TDOT's overhead Dynamic Message Signs this week. That message, along with the other winning messages, will be placed in rotation to run on the overhead signs across the state throughout the year.
A total of 190 Dynamic Message Signs are located in the state's four urban areas (Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville), and in some rural areas across the state.
"Many thanks to everyone who submitted messages and played a role in the voting process," TDOT Commissioner John Schroer wrote in a news release announcing the contest winners. "The purpose of the contest was to give the public a chance to partner with TDOT to raise safety awareness. Even if a submission didn't win, there's still a chance that message may be seen periodically on our DMS boards."