PHOENIX — Two messages rose above the rest to be chosen as the winners of the Arizona Department of Transportation's annual safety message contest.
"Drive with Care, life has no spare" and "Watch your speed not your social feed" are the winners of the 2024 Safety Message contest, ADOT said in a news release on Friday. Over 3,200 votes were cast by the public for the 10 finalist messages.
The two winners are Dori Brock of Casa Grande and David Dixon of Ahwatukee.
“It’s encouraging to see thousands of Arizonans take part in our Safety Message Contest year after year. It shows that they care about safe driving habits like not speeding, avoiding distractions and wearing seatbelts,” ADOT Director Jennifer Toth said. “We hope this contest helps start conversations about how all drivers can do their part to make travel safer for everyone.”
Brock and Dixon and Dixon's family were invited to ADOT’s Traffic Operations Center to type their messages into the Dynamic Message Sign system and see them go live via highway cameras. Both messages will be displayed on overhead message boards during Labor Day weekend.
Brock said “Drive with care, life has no spare” was a saying her mom would tell her growing up, especially when she started driving. She said she hoped drivers would think about its meaning.
“When the message goes live, I’m hoping my mom will be looking down from heaven and be thankful that her saying will be seen by so very many people. Also, that it will be saving lives on our busy freeways,” Brock said.
Dixon said he bounced ideas off his wife, who accompanied him to ADOT's Traffic Operations Center, until he found the winning one.
“Hopefully, the message gives drivers a chuckle, but more importantly makes drivers focus on safe driving habits that get us all home safe,” Dixon said.
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