Aug 28, 2026 - Public Safety

The funniest rejected ADOT safety message entries

Zach Buchanan

Illustration of a highway electronic sign doing a standup routine. The sign reads, "So what's the deal with..." — Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios

The Arizona Department of Transportation is in the midst of yet another contest to determine what somewhat-humorous safety message will appear on highway LED boards. But far more entertaining are the messages ADOT rejected.

Why it matters: ADOT received more than 1,700 entries in the one-week period the contest was open. Axios obtained that list via a public records request and combed through it for the rejected messages that made us guffaw.

Zoom in: Here, in no particular order, are the messages that might have been too funny for their own good.

"Go slow bro"
"Bit fast, innit?"
"Road work ahead? Yeah I sure hope it does" — great reference to a classic Vine post
"Annoy your mother-in-law, arrive alive"
"Buckle Up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car"
"Every time you speed we let a Californian move in"
"NGL, Crazy driving, Gives major cringe"
"Somebody get these speeders out of here" — if you get this one, you've seen "The Odyssey"

Tell us: What's your favorite? Let us know at [email protected].

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The funniest rejected ADOT safety message entries

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