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. 

PHOENIX – Thousands of entries were received for the Arizona Department of Transportation Safety Message Contest, but only a couple will find its way into the bright lights of an ADOT highway message board when the public gets to decide. 

In one week, more than 2,400 entries were received and now the public will pick the winner from the 10 finalists. Voting is open through April 21 at azdot.gov/SignContest. The winning safety messages will be announced in May. 

"It’s important to focus on safety and remember we all have a role in reducing the number of crashes and lives lost," said ADOT Director John Halikowski. "More than 90% of crashes are caused by driver behavior. We need to do all we can to promote safe driving and avoid speeding, and aggressive, distracted or impaired driving. These messages are designed to help remind drivers, sometimes in an offbeat way, to be careful on the road."

The leading factors in crashes are speeding, aggressive driving and distracted or impaired driving. The annual Safety Message Contest was started to encourage drivers to be conscious of safety and keep it top of mind when on the road. 

PHOENIX – What do a children’s book, a teacher and mingling singles have to do with safety? They were all part of last year’s winning messages from the Arizona Department of Transportation’s annual Safety Message Contest. ADOT is once again calling on the public to craft creative messages.  

It's the fifth year in a row ADOT has run the contest. Contest entries have ranged from wacky to poetic. About 16,000 entries have been received over the past four years but the agency still expects there are more safety messages that haven’t been uncovered.

Original messages can be submitted at azdot.gov/SignContest through March 31. 

"It's been great to watch the excitement from the community when the contest launches each year," said ADOT Director John Halikowski. "With thousands participating year after year, we hope it's a reminder to everyone that we are all responsible for keeping our roads safe."

More than 90 percent of crashes are caused by driver behavior. Speeding, aggressive driving and distracted or impaired driving are the leading factors in fatal collisions. The annual contest has incorporated pop culture and current events into safety messages to encourage motorists to make better decisions when in the driver's seat. 

While we encourage original and clever messages, there are some guidelines that need to be followed.  

• The message must relate to traffic safety.
• Signs allow for a maximum of 3 lines, 18 characters per line, including spaces.
• No hashtags, emojis, phone numbers or websites addresses are allowed.

ADOT will select at least 10 finalists after the contest closes on March 31. Then, we'll invite the public to vote on the finalists, choosing the message they most want to see on ADOT’s  overhead message boards.