Virtual message signs, electronic signs above freeways that can change what they say at different times, have recently had humorous messages on them. This is part of Utah Department of Transportation’s “Message Monday” campaign.
Some of these messages include “Turn signals, the original instant message” and “Steering wheel, not a hands free device.”
UDOT’s public information officer, John Gleason, said his personal favorite is the first one the department used in the campaign: “That seatbelt looks good on you.” He said it received the most positive feedback.
“We received pictures of people taking their pictures by the sign and saying ‘Well thank you, UDOT,’” Gleason said. “I mean there was a lot of people that were pleased with the positivity of the message, that it wasn’t really focused on negative.”
Gleason said UDOT started putting these messages on the signs during a period of time known as the “100 Deadliest Days,” which takes place between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. He said there are typically 35 percent more traffic fatalities during this time compared to the rest of the year.
Gleason said the purpose of these messages is to turn people’s attention towards traffic safety.
“There’s so much out there that just becomes white noise that we really need to do something different like this to kind of grab your attention,” Gleason said. “The messages are a little edgier, a little more humorous in some cases, but the whole idea here is to get people thinking.”
Gleason said “Message Mondays” generally have more creative messages that vary in edginess. He said the signs take a more serious tone on Fridays when they recap the amount of days that have gone by without fatalities.