TOMS RIVER, NJ – The state of New Jersey spent millions of dollars to install huge digital billboards along state highways from High Point to Cape May. Those signs were intended to broadcast public safety messages, emergency notices, and traffic information.
The system is dubbed DMS by the State Department of Transportation.
According to the state, Dynamic Message Signs (DMS), both permanent and portable signs, are vital components of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in communicating with motorists on the road. These signs provide the traveling public with warnings pertaining to traffic congestion, crashes, incidents, construction, speed restrictions, etc. DMS are also used for Amber Alert and Silver Alert messages.
Last week, they began telling jokes.
Maybe it started back in May of 2020 during the covid-19 pandemic when New Jersey DOT signage along the state’s highways read, “Don’t be a knucklehead.”
This week, the DOT rolled out “puns” of new messages on the state’s network of digital message billboards.
“We’ll be blunt, don’t drive high,” one said.
“Get your head out of your apps,” read another.
“Nice car, does it come with turn signals,” yet another said.
It’s a big step up from “Stay sober or get pulled over” and “Don’t text and drive”.
Typically, the signs are used for emergencies, traffic jams, road closures, hazardous weather and roadway alerts and other more serious business.
Another sign warned drivers of distracted driving, reading, “Hocus pocus, drive with focus.”
Stephen Schapiro, an NJDOT spokesman confirmed the state’s sign network wasn’t hacked by a 50-year-old dad but said the messages were intentional today.
“We wanted to be more creative in how we present our safety messages,” he said in a statement. “We are trying a few new messages that are both fun and catchy in hopes that people will remember the message and drive safely.”
“NJDOT reminds drivers not to take photos or videos while behind the wheel,”
Reaction to the signage has been mixed. While some enjoyed the messages, others said the messages were an unnecessary distraction and that the signs should be used for what they were purchased and installed for, traffic and public safety messages.
“People’s eyes should be on the road and not on these multi-part rotating messages that are nothing more than fortune cookie messages and dad jokes,” one subscriber said today. “Don’t look at your phone, but read our jokes? It doesn’t make sense.”
This article was republished to reflect accuracy and information from the New Jersey Department of Transportation from an earlier published story.