State launches memorial sign program

To help inform the public of the dangers of drinking and driving, a new program is being implemented by the Texas Department of Transportation that will allow friends and family members of DWI victims to purchase memorial signs to be placed near the location of fatal crashes.

The program is the result of legislation aimed at reducing the more than 1,670 traffic fatalities in 2006 that involved drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The 80th Texas Legislature created the program at the request of Julie Blasingame. A drunk driver was involved in the death of Mrs. Blasingame's daughter, Rachel. The family is the first participant in the program.

"I would love to see these memorial signs all over Texas as constant reminders for our drivers to not drink and drive," said Mrs. Blasingame.

"So many grieving families will want to honor their loved one's memory in this way because they know that good will come from it. They know their loved one won't be forgotten, and it will cause many drivers to think about how their actions affect others. Nearly every family in Texas knows someone who has been affected by a drunk driver."

Legislation creating the program required TxDOT to develop administrative rules governing the operation of the program. Those rules became effective Dec. 6, and the department's new web page contains all the information necessary to participate in the program: www.txdot.gov/services/traffic operations/memorialsign.htm.

"I am pleased that TxDOT has taken this important step to help raise public awareness on the dangers of DWI," said State Rep. Betty Brown.

"Drunk driving continues to be one of our state's most serious traffic safety issues and represents a real and serious danger to innocent law-abiding members of our communities.

"If this program deters even a single impaired driver from venturing out onto streets and highways, it will have served its purpose."

Cost to obtain a memorial sign is $300, which will help TxDOT defray the cost of the sign. The sign will identify the victim (or family name), date of the crash, the phrase "Please Don't Drink and Drive", and the phrase "In Memory of."

The program requires that fatal crashes must have occurred on a state highway and bans memorializing impaired drivers killed in a traffic crash.

An erected memorial sign will remain in place for one year, after which it will be offered to the those who made the original application for participation in the program.