The call has been sounded by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for this year's Safety Message Contest, an initiative now in its eighth iteration designed to pluck the most engaging and original traffic safety messages from the citizens and post them across highway Dynamic Message Signs. As reported by ADOT, submissions will be accepted through July 29.
Character restrictions limit the verbal canvas to three lines, capped at 18 characters each, a concise challenge ADOT Director Jennifer Toth believes will convey crucial reminders. "Safely connecting people is our top priority," Toth said, hoping to focus motorist attention on the critical actions that ensure their safe arrival at destinations. This engagement aims, at least in part, to chip away at the distressing toll of statewide traffic fatalities, which stood at 1,307 in 2023 alone.
After the July 29 cut-off, ADOT will choose a minimum of 10 finalists from the submitted pool, those messages will be put forth for a public vote, with the two favorites destined to feature prominently alongside Arizona's highways. Entrants can submit as many messages as they desire, as long as no hashtags, phone numbers, website addresses, or emojis mar their traffic-themed haiku.
