Peas and guac? Odd Arizona highway message aims to stop drunk driving
Nov 25, 2015, 7:01 PM | Updated: Nov 27, 2015, 11:49 am
PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Transportation decided to have fun with its anti-drinking-and-driving message this Thanksgiving.
Peas in your guacamole? An unusual message to get you to think before you drink. #DriveSober pic.twitter.com/euCHHwALhk
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) November 25, 2015
“In Arizona we know our guacamole,” Doug Pacey, spokesman for ADOT said, “and to each their own, of course, but I don’t know anyone who puts peas in their guacamole.”
“Drinking and driving go together like peas and guac” appeared over an Arizona highway on Wednesday, causing many to scratch their heads at the strange analogy.
“Drinking and driving go together like peas and guac” 😂 -ADOT signs off the 101 — Hailey Wingert (@Hailey_Wingert) November 25, 2015
someone needs to tell ADOT that their peas and guac sign is ridiculous.
— andrewwww (@ehcavwerdna) November 25, 2015
Major props to ADOT. Just saw a sign over the 101 that said “drinking and driving goes together peas and guac” 😂😂😂 — SB VB (@_SBVB) November 25, 2015
The background: The New York Times published a recipe for guacamole using peas this past July and the entire nation was sent into an outrage, including President Barack Obama.
respect the nyt, but not buying peas in guac. onions, garlic, hot peppers. classic. https://t.co/MEEI8QHH1V
— President Obama (@POTUS) July 1, 2015
Local and national media alike picked up the story, including Washington Post and Eater. The New York Times reporter responsible for peas in guacamole, Sam Sifton and the social editor, Michael Gold even saw the sign and joked with the ADOT Twitter account about it.
HATERS MAKE US FAMOUS. https://t.co/wmoT5T3AGE
— Sam Sifton (@SamSifton) November 25, 2015
And a Happy Thanksgiving to you and the @nytimes Mr. Sifton. https://t.co/hUzHbAXLdD
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) November 25, 2015
@ArizonaDOT @nytimes And to you! Try our spicy cranberry sauce tomorrow. https://t.co/ECxUzvyoTv
— Sam Sifton (@SamSifton) November 25, 2015
@ArizonaDOT you guys owe me some royalty guac
— Michael Gold (@migold) November 26, 2015
But ADOT decided to use this analogy to spark a different type of outrage: One that would get people to think before drinking and driving this holiday season.
“We want to grab people’s attention and make them engaged with the message that drunk driving can kill,” Pacey said. “It’s a humorous kind of message up there but it’s getting people talking about impaired driving and if that helps people have a conversation about it, especially younger drivers, that’s fantastic.”
For those who have one drink too many, Triple-A of Arizona is offering a free tow service to tow home the driver, up to one passenger and their vehicle for up to 10 miles.
Hopefully the analogy is just strange enough to resonate with you before you decide to get behind the wheel.
If you want to see more of the national attention ADOT’s sign is gaining, check out the Storify on their website.
