PHOENIX – The votes are in and the winners of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s sixth Safety Message Contest have been chosen by the public! 

More than 3,000 votes were cast by the public for the 12 message finalists. The two winning traffic safety messages are:

DON’T HURRY

BE HAPPY

SIGNAL 2 THE LEFT

SIGNAL 2 THE RIGHT

MERGE REAL SMOOTH

“We saw thousands of contest entries and votes and it’s great to see Arizonans continuing to be engaged in conversations about traffic safety,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “That’s the purpose of the contest: increasing awareness about how we all can make better decisions when we’re behind the wheel. Think of others driving around you that want to get safely home to their loved ones.”

Authors of the winning messages were invited to ADOT’s Traffic Operations Center to type their winning traffic safety message into the Dynamic Message Sign system and see them go live via traffic cameras. Both winning messages will appear on overhead message boards statewide through the weekend.

Kristen Brown, a stay-at-home mom from Mesa, was inspired by Bobby McFerrin’s 1988 hit “Don’t Worry Be Happy.” She says her message is a simple one.

“Give yourself plenty of time to get to where you’re going, turn on some good music, and enjoy the ride,” Brown said.

Lisa Hayes, a preschool teacher from Gilbert, found motivation for her message from another popular song, “Cha Cha Slide.”

“I look at the signs and they make me laugh or smile,” Hayes said. “I just want people to find the humor in the sign, something to smile about. I hope my sign helps people let others know their intentions while merging.”

More than 3,100 message contest entries were submitted to ADOT in June. Those entries were whittled down to 12 finalists and a public vote determined the winning messages. 

ADOT displays unconventional safety messages on overhead signs as part of an effort to change driver behavior and encourage motorists to make better decisions while driving. According to national statistics, driver behavior, like choosing to speed, driving distracted, impaired or reckless, plays a role in more than 90% of vehicle crashes.

PHOENIX – Great job, Arizona!

The Arizona Department of Transportation received more than 3,100 entries to its annual Safety Message Contest. Now, those entries have been narrowed down to 12 finalists and it’s up to the public to choose the winners.

Today through July 18, Arizonans can view the finalists and vote for their favorite traffic safety message at azdot.gov/signcontest. The two messages that receive the most votes will be displayed on Dynamic Message Signs statewide.

“The overwhelming response we’ve seen in the contest entries shows that Arizona motorists want to see fellow drivers put down their cell phones when driving,” said ADOT Director John Halikowski. “Our state’s drivers support displaying courtesy, using their turn signals, and making safer decisions behind the wheel. We all want everyone to get safely home.”

This is the sixth year ADOT has held its annual Safety Message Contest. 

ADOT displays unconventional traffic safety messages, which often are related to current events and pop culture, as part of an effort to encourage drivers to change their actions behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 90 percent of vehicle collisions are caused by driver decisions, including choosing to speed, drive recklessly, distracted or impaired.  

In 2020 in Arizona, the most recent year with available statewide crash data, 1,057 people were killed in vehicle collisions.

PHOENIX – Arizona, it’s time again to let your creative juices flow. The Arizona Department of Transportation wants to see your wittiest offerings of traffic safety messages because they could be selected to appear on our overhead highway signs.

The ADOT Safety Message Contest returns for its sixth year and we invite Arizonans to submit their best, witty, funny and creative traffic safety message. Messages can be submitted at azdot.gov/signcontest through Tuesday, June 28.

The contest gives Arizonans the opportunity to see their clever safety message displayed on overhead signs statewide, encouraging drivers to make better decisions behind the wheel.

“This contest can inspire thousands more people to think and talk creatively about driving safely,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “Each year, the contest entries get better and better. We look forward to what 2022 has in store for seeing a real, live message from a member of the public on ADOT’s highway message boards.”

When creating a message – there’s no limit to the number of entries you can submit – remember these guidelines:

The message must relate to traffic safety.

Signs accommodate three lines, 18 characters per line.

#Hashtags, phone numbers and website addresses are not allowed.

No emojis.

After the June 28 deadline has passed, ADOT will select at least 10 finalists. The public will vote for their favorites among the finalists and the two messages that receive the most votes will appear on overhead signs above Arizona state highways.

ADOT displays quirky traffic safety messages, which often are related to current events and pop culture, as part of an effort to encourage drivers to change their actions behind the wheel. We all need a reminder about safe driving because more than 90 percent of vehicle crashes are caused by driver decisions, such as drivers choosing to speed, driving aggressively, or driving while distracted or impaired. According to crash data, 970 people were killed in traffic collisions on Arizona’s roads in 2020.

PHOENIX – A play on words from a Tom Cochrane song and a safety message written by a Phoenix area law enforcement officer are the winners in the 2021 ADOT Safety Message Contest.  

More than 6,000 people voted for the safety message they wanted to see on the overhead message boards. The top two safety messages will be displayed on overhead message boards July 29-30.

MISS YOUR EXIT?
IT'S OKAY
WE MADE MORE AHEAD

LIFE IS A HIGHWAY
I WANNA RIDE IT
WITH A SEATBELT ON

"It's encouraging to know that thousands of people also care about safety and voted to see these messages on signs across the state," said ADOT Director John Halikowski. "With states across the country posting safety messages, it only gets more difficult to create a one-of-a-kind message. This year’s messages are unique and sure to make an impact on drivers."

A Phoenix area law enforcement officer submitted the “Miss your exit” message. The “Life is a highway” message was sent in without the author’s name or contact information, but a note was included saying it was derived from Tom Cochrane’s 1991 song, “Life is a Highway.” While both entrants remain anonymous, their words will still be spotlighted on overhead message boards. 

The Safety Message Contest launched five years ago and has received more than 18,000 entries. The contest is one way ADOT works to improve driver behavior by promoting safety through the use of creative messaging. More than 90% of vehicle crashes are caused by driver decisions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.