SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Jan. 12, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Think of it as a lane-changing, life-saving literature; as a moving message; as a kind of highway haiku.
The Utah Department of Transportation is letting interstate users submit messages to display overhead on UDOT’s electronic message boards.
Recent message examples include “Texting and driving leads to the dark side”; “Your car is not a phone booth. Just drive”; and “New year, same goal, zero fatalities.”
UDOT spokesman John Gleason said the highway messages are a lighthearted attempt to deliver a serious safety message, and to capture the attention of drivers with unexpected wordings.
To be considered for a Message Monday spot, write a message that is three lines or fewer, with no more than 17 characters per line.
According to the UDOT website, messages should encourage motorists to:
- Drive alert. Make sure you’ve had enough sleep before hitting the road.
- Give the road your full, undivided attention. Put away any distractions, and ask that passengers help you to keep your attention on the road.
- Never drive impaired. This includes alcohol, illicit drugs and even prescription or over-the-counter medications. Impaired driving is anything that inhibits your ability to drive safely.
- Avoid aggressive driving. Aggressive driving means operating a vehicle in a way that endangers, or is likely to endanger, people or property.
- Buckle up, no matter how short your trip. About half of Utah’s vehicle fatalities this year were not wearing seat belts at the time of their crash.
To submit Monday Message ideas, visit website messagemonday@utah.gov, Twitter site @UtahDOT#MessageMonday or UDOT’s Facebook page.
“Try to have some respect and use your blinkers”
“Driving safety is a team effort”
“Lose your ego and let people merge”
“70 will get you there the same time as 80”