A year after being ordered to remove cheeky signs from New Jersey’s state highways, the New Jersey Department of Transportation is back with more of the same in time for the holiday season.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic New Jersey DOT signage along the state’s highways read, “Don’t be a knucklehead.”
Last year, 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.
“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.”
This time around, the messages are just as corny.
“Reckless drivers are worse than fruitcake,” one read.
“Ho! Ho! Ho! Please drive slow,” read another.
“Santa’s watching, put down the phone,” said yet another message.
“Only Rudolph should be lit. Drive high Get DUI,” another read.