The state got hundreds of ideas from the public for safety tips on roadside message boards, including a few inspired by the Huskers' new coach.
The Nebraska Department of Transportation asked for catchy and creative safety messages for the electronic signs along Interstate 80. The state hopes that makes the messages more memorable and, ultimately, more effective.
The department received about 800 submissions.
The state has already used some of the ideas from the public including: “Turn signals — the original instant message” and “Not buckled? What’s holding you back?”
Ideas inspired by football coach Scott Frost included: “Roads are frosty in Nebraska, so slow down.”
Jeni Campana, spokeswoman for the Department of Transportation, said the agency isn’t certain yet if the Frost-inspired ideas will make the cut and appear on a message board. She said that while the state likes clever ideas, it’s most important that the messages make sense from a safety standpoint.
Last year for the first time the state began using clever safety messages on the 8-by-20-foot electronic signs. The state first asked for the public’s help in July, receiving 400 submissions.
Last month the state asked for another round of ideas, and received the 800 submissions.
Campana said the agency was pleased with the response. She said it shows that the public likes giving a hand in spreading the word about safety.
She said Nebraskans will probably be asked for more ideas this summer.
