Editing Variable-message sign (section)

==Safety messages for drivers==
Increasingly, signs have been used to remind drivers to buckle seat belts ("Click it or ticket"), obey the speed limit, and stay off the road if impaired ("Drive sober or get pulled over").<ref name="NPR">{{cite news |last1=Kasler |first1=Karen |title=Driven to distraction: New rules recommend states steer clear of highway sign humor |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/01/19/1225370260/driven-to-distraction-new-rules-limit-those-humorous-state-highway-signs |access-date=31 October 2024 |work=NPR |date=January 19, 2024}}</ref> In a federal study, a slight majority of drivers reported that [[public safety]] messages on dynamic message signs impacted their driving behaviors.<ref>{{cite news |title=Public Perception of Safety Messages and Public Service Announcements on Dynamic Message Signs in Rural Areas |url=https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop16048/exsum.htm |access-date=31 October 2024 |work=Federal Highway Administration |agency=US DOT |date=April 13, 2020}}</ref>

The [[Ohio]] [[Department of Transportation]] began using humorous dynamic message signs in 2015, perplexing some drivers.<ref name="NPR" /> 
Examples<ref name="NPR" /><ref>{{cite news |title=NYS DOT Gets in the Halloween Spirit |url=https://hudsonvalleycountry.com/nys-dot-halloween-signs/ |access-date=31 October 2024 |work=Hudson Valley Country |date=October 31, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lytle |first1=Emily |title=Who is behind the pun-filled, often holiday-themed safety messages on Delaware highways? |url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2022/12/06/delaware-traffic-signs-meet-the-man-writing-them-i95-route-1-deldot/69688841007/ |access-date=31 October 2024 |work=Delaware Online |date=December 6, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=DelDOT channeling humor to drive home serious message |url=https://6abc.com/post/deldot-traffic-signs-funny-scott-neidert/15182697/ |access-date=31 October 2024 |work=6ABC Action News |date=August 13, 2024}}</ref><ref name="AP">{{cite news |title=No joke: Feds discourage humorous electronic messages on highways |url=https://apnews.com/article/ban-humorous-messages-electronic-highway-signs-3c7b0d11475d2b255f7edd197af771cc |access-date=31 October 2024 |work=Associated Press |date=January 19, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Frau |first1=Lucas |title=Funny digital highway signs will soon be banned. Here are some of our favorites from NJ |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/transportation/2024/01/19/federal-highway-administration-nj-electric-signs-ban/72272497007/ |access-date=31 October 2024 |work=North Jersey.com |date=January 19, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Despite new federal standards, Minnesota says funny and quirky traffic signs are here to stay |url=https://www.kktv.com/2024/01/21/despite-new-federal-standards-minnesota-says-funny-quirky-traffic-signs-are-here-stay/ |access-date=1 November 2024 |work=KARE via CNN Newsource |date=January 21, 2024}}</ref> of humorous signs seen in [[New Jersey]], [[Arizona]], [[Texas]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[Delaware]], [[Iowa]], [[New York (state)|New York]], [[Minnesota]] and [[Ohio]] include:
*"Hold on to your butts. Help prevent forest fires."
*"We'll be blunt. Don't drive high." 
*"Visiting in-laws? Slow down, get there late."
*"Only sparklers should be lit." and “Don’t drive Star Spangled hammered."(for [[Fourth of July]])
*"Hocus pocus – drive with focus." and "Slow down in work zones - my mummy works here." (for [[Halloween]])
*"Drive Drunk and YULE be sorry." and “You’re not a Christmas tree. Don’t drive lit." 
*"HO HO HO, please drive slow." and "Don't be a grinch, let them merge."
*"Reckless drivers are worse than fruitcake." 
*"Only Rudolph should be lit." and "Santa's watching, put down the phone."
*“I’m just a sign asking drivers to use turn signals.”
*“Seatbelts always pass a vibe check.”
*“Come on, Eileen… your speed is obscene."
*“May the 4th be with you, text I will not.”
*"Irish you would slow down."
*"I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes."
*"Nice car, did it come with a turn signal?" and "Get your head out of your apps."
*"100 is the temperature - not the speed limit."
*“Let’s go Barbie, Buckle Up. Yes. You Ken!” and “Fast & Furious? Nope! Slow & Cautious.”

In 2024, concerns that these messages were distracting drivers led the Federal Highway Administration to strongly discourage signs with "obscure meanings, references to pop culture" or humor.<ref name="AP" />