Utah's Department of Transportation reminds drivers to stay safe with punny signs

A highway sign in Utah.
(Image credit: Twitter.com/UtahDOT)

Dangerous driving is no laughing matter, but the Utah Department of Transportation is using humor to spread the word about being safe on the road.

On Message Mondays, the department shares a different tip (often involving jokes of some sort) on its electronic signs, reminding drivers to wear their seat belts, watch their speed, and stay off their phones. This Monday, drivers were told to "get your head out of your apps"; on Columbus Day, they were implored to "discover your turn signal." It is a lighthearted approach, "but make no mistake," Utah Department of Transportation spokesman John Gleason told NBC News. "This is a very serious issue. Far too many people are dying on our roads as a result of these dangerous behaviors."

Although some online commenters say they found Monday's message to be too risqué, Gleason said the intention has never been to offend, but rather "to get people's attention." Mission accomplished.

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.