Dynamic Message Boards

ADOT’s vision is safely connecting people and empowering Arizona’s economy. That includes those attention-grabbing and often humorous messages that appear when overhead message boards aren’t being used for other purposes. In the latest episode of our podcast, On the Road with ADOT, we talk safety messaging.

It’s Valentine’s Day and we hope that today, just like every other day of the year, you’ll make safe driving decisions behind the wheel. 

Choosing to let fellow drivers merge, using your turn signals to indicate you’re switching lanes, and not texting while driving are all simple ways to show others on the road how much you care about them — that their safety, and your own, are paramount.

We can’t give out chocolates or bouquets of flowers, but Arizonans who practice safe driving have our everlasting gratitude.

For several years, ADOT has placed traffic safety messages on overhead message boards. Often, these messages relate to holidays, like Halloween, and other events that are front-of-mind for people.

Our purpose in displaying these messages is to grab people’s attention and make them engage with important traffic safety messages. We hope this approach and these messages resonate and prompt conversations among drivers, both in person and via social media, and change driver behavior.

It's almost Halloween, so it's time to be the good witch and not the bad witch. Be patient, cautious and mindful of a horde of candy seekers.  

We hope you start the holiday season with safety. 

PHOENIX – A mystery person and a husband-and-wife team of a hero hiker and a kindergarten teacher are the winners of ADOT’s Safety Message Contest.

More than 5,500 votes were cast by the public for the 12 message finalists. The top two vote-getters and winners are:

It's that time again! Time for you to vote for your favorite in our fourth annual Safety Message Contest. Which entry would you like to see on our overhead freeway boards?

Beginning Wednesday, motorists on Arizona highways will see messages on Dynamic Message Signs encouraging them to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Drive safely on the roads this week. Make your dog proud.

PHOENIX – Man’s best friend and a clever play on words were the big winners in the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Safety Message Contest.

After tallying more than 5,000 votes for the 15 safety message finalists, the winning messages are:

From Tuesday, May 14, through Monday, May 20, you can view and vote for your favorite safety message at azdot.gov/signcontest. The two messages that receive the most votes will be displayed on Dynamic Message Signs statewide.

Within 24 hours of launching our Safety Message Contest, we’d received more than 1,400 entries. After 48 hours the total number of submissions had climbed to 2,000.

For the third time, the Arizona Department of Transportation is holding its Safety Message Contest, giving you the chance to see your punny, witty, snarky or serious safety slogans on overhead signs, encouraging drivers to make better decisions behind the wheel. Messages can be submitted at azdot.gov/signcontest through Monday, April 29. In the past two contests, ADOT received a combined 9,000 entries.

Highway safety is important at ADOT and we work to keep it top of mind for drivers throughout the year.

In an effort to encourage drivers to make better decisions behind the wheel, motorists will see Christmas-themed safety messages on ADOT’s overhead signs.

PHOENIX – “How long until we get there?”

If you’re used to hearing those words over and over while driving on Interstate 17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff, the answer is now on the Arizona Department of Transportation’s electronic message boards.

As it does along Phoenix-area freeways, ADOT has started posting estimated travel times via I-17 to Cordes Junction, Prescott, Sedona, Flagstaff and other points north of the Valley.

With drivers heading out on Memorial Day weekend trips along state highways, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s network of message signs will carry essential travel and safety information.

Thanks to everyone who entered the ADOT Safety Message Contest, and thanks to those responsible for the 2,500 votes we received.

The votes are in and Arizonans have selected the winners of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Safety Message Contest.

Those heading toward downtown Phoenix on eastbound Interstate 10 may have noticed that estimated travel times aren’t appearing on some Arizona Department of Transportation overhead message boards, while estimated travel times to some West Valley locations aren’t on boards for traffic using westbound I-10.