ADOT narrows 2026 safety message contest down to 10 finalists

Having parsed through more than 1,700 submissions in its safety message contest, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has chosen 10 finalists from which the public will choose two winners.

There’s a common thread among the 10 winners, as many are rhymes — with one reference to a rap.

Others are plays on popular trends, such as “I’m in my (blank) era” or “crash out” references.

Here’s the full selection of finalists:

• DON’T BE A STATISTIC, DON’T DRIVE BALLISTIC
• THAT PHONE? DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT
• THERE IS NO SEASON TO BE A SPEED DEMON
• KEEP YOUR COOL, EASE OFF THE FUEL
• I’M IN MY DESIGNATED DRIVER ERA
• AVOID THE WRECKS BY AVOIDING THE TEXTS
• LIFE HAS NO REPLAY, DRIVE THE RIGHT WAY
• WATCH THE ROAD, NOT THE SCREEN
• DON’T LET THAT TEXT MAKE YOU CRASH OUT
• MAIN CHARACTERS ALWAYS WEAR SEATBELTS

Voting to determine the two winners, which will then be displayed above highways throughout the Valley, is open on ADOT’s website until Thursday.

Last year’s winners were “FAST & FURIOUS? TRY SAFE AND COURTEOUS” and “CAMP IN THE WOODS, NOT THE LEFT LANE.”

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