New Jersey transportation officials have posted quirky, holiday-themed highway safety warnings for drivers, even though the federal government ordered the state to remove similar signs last year.
“Only Rudolph should be lit, drive high get DUI,” one of this year’s digital signs reads.
“Reckless drivers are worse than fruitcake,” says another.
In 2022, the Federal Highway Administration told the NJ Department of Transportation to take down highway signs with messages including “Slow down, this ain’t Thunder Road” and “We’ll be blunt, don’t drive high,” saying they didn’t meet national standards.
Federal rules require highway signage to “convey a clear, simple meaning.” “The use of witticisms, colloquialisms, and popular culture references that target or are comprehended only by a limited segment of the population is not consistent with a clear, simple meaning for all,” the rules state.
But an FHA spokesperson did not answer questions about whether the agency approved of this year’s new signs. Instead, the spokesperson said states are expected to exercise good judgment and conform to federal guidelines.
New Jersey officials believe they’ve finally cracked the code and are in good standing with the feds.
“NJDOT is trying to follow the same guidance that so many other states are following,” department spokesperson Stephen Schapiro said in a statement. “We are being mindful of the kinds of messages we put up, keeping them safety centered.”
There are more than 220 signs on interstate and state highways in the Garden State, according to Shapiro.
“Our goal is always to create attention to safety and that’s what these signs are about,” he said. “It’s about making sure people read them, remember them, and drive safely.”
This year’s holiday-themed messages include:
- THE BEST GIFT IS GETTING HOME SAFE SLOW DOWN
- SANTA’S WATCHING PUT DOWN THE PHONE
- TEXT & DRIVE AUTOMATIC NAUGHTY LIST
- DON’T BE A GRINCH LET THEM MERGE
- HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY AND SAFE COMMUTE
- HO…
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