The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has unveiled the winners of its 2024 Safety Message Contest following a public vote that featured over 3,200 participants. This initiative, aimed to promote better driving practices, culminated in the selection of two traffic safety slogans that prioritize attentiveness on the road. According to the ADOT, the messages that grabbed the top spots are "DRIVE WITH CARE, LIFE HAS NO SPARE" and "WATCH YOUR SPEED, NOT YOUR SOCIAL FEED."
More than 2,500 entries were originally submitted to the contest, which were then narrowed down to the final 10 for the public's input. Selected for their catchy phrasing and potent reminders, these messages will light up overhead boards on Arizona's highways during the Labor Day weekend. ADOT Director Jennifer Toth expressed her gratification towards the public’s participation stating, “It’s encouraging to see thousands of Arizonans take part in our Safety Message Contest year after year." She further elaborated, "We hope this contest helps start conversations about how all drivers can do their part to make travel safer for everyone" in an interview with ADOT.
The contest winners, Dori Brock from Casa Grande and David Dixon of Ahwatukee, had the unique opportunity to personally enter their winning slogans into ADOT’s Dynamic Message Sign system. Brock's message, a saying passed down by her mother, holds a personal resonance. "When the message goes live, I’m hoping my mom will be looking down from heaven and be thankful that her saying will be seen by so very many people. Also, that it will be saving lives on our busy freeways," she told ADOT.
On the other hand, Dixon, whose winning message was the result of brainstorming with his wife, emphasized the impact of a lighter touch on serious issues. Sharing the creation process with his wife, Dixon said, "Hopefully, the message gives drivers a chuckle, but more importantly makes drivers focus on safe driving habits that get us all home safe," in a statement to ADOT. National crash data reinforces the importance of such campaigns, indicating that over 90% of vehicle crashes are due to driver decisions, including distracted driving, impairment, and speeding.
