NDOT Seeks Witty, Creative Friday Safety Messages

April 1, 2024 (Lincoln, Neb.) — “DON’T FLY THROUGH NEBRASKA, SLOW DOWN.” The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) invites you to contribute clever and insightful "Friday Safety Messages" for display on electronic message boards along Nebraska's Interstate and other major highways. These messages will be featured every Friday, and the more creative, the better.

Perhaps you’ve caught a glimpse of some of these messages over the past few years, including “SAVE THE MADNESS FOR THE COURT, DRIVE SAFE,” in reference to the NCAA Basketball Tournament, or a St. Patrick’s Day reminder to “HOLD ON TO YOUR POT O’ GOLD, DRIVE SOBER.” Many of these short safety snippets have ties to holidays or special events, such as the Olympics, current events, back-to-school or sports.

After a successful launch in 2017, the NDOT, in partnership with the Nebraska State Patrol, wants to continue that effort, reaching out to the public for witty, creative messages to display on Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) across the state. A new safety message will be posted every Friday, for 24 hours from 12:00 a.m. Friday to 12:00 a.m. Saturday, on overhead DMS along I-80 and I-29, reminding motorists to consider all aspects of driving and safety.

Submissions for safety-oriented messages will be accepted from April 1 to April 30. Contributors are encouraged to focus on safe driving topics, incorporating tie-ins with holidays and upcoming events throughout the summer and early fall of 2024. Messages should consist of three lines, with a maximum of 18 characters per line (including spaces). These will be evaluated to conform to regulations and edited for clarity.

For more information, visit ndot.info/FSM. Don’t delay. Send your Friday Safety Messages today, and remember: “DON’T FUMBLE YOUR LIFE AWAY, BUCKLE UP!”