ADOT’s Safety Message Contest returns

PHOENIX – You’ve seen the unconventional traffic safety messages above Arizona highways on digital message boards. Beginning today, you’ll again have the opportunity to see your own message on ADOT’s Dynamic Message Signs.

That’s right; the Arizona Department of Transportation’s annual Safety Message Contest is back. Beginning today, messages can be submitted at azdot.gov/signcontest through Monday, March 2.

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 will be the fourth time we’ve had the contest and each year the response has been tremendous with thousands of entries flooding in,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said. “We love seeing the creativity from so many, but we’re even more thrilled that people are thinking and talking about safe driving when coming up with their contest entries.”

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 speeding, driving aggressively, distracted or impaired. According to preliminary data, nearly 1,000 people were killed in traffic collisions last year on Arizona’s roads.

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

• The message must relate to traffic safety.
• Signs accommodate 18 characters per line, 3 lines
• #Hashtags, phone numbers and website addresses are not allowed.
• No emoji.

After the March 2 deadline has passed, ADOT will select 12 finalists. In March, 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.