Latest UDOT #MondayMessage stirs controversy


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SALT LAKE CITY — If you drive the interstates around the Wasatch Front, you've likely noticed clever safety messages on the overhead boards at the beginning of every week. The Utah Department of Transportation calls it #MessageMonday.

The purpose of the program is to get people talking about safe driving, but this week's message got mixed reviews.

"Get your head out of your apps," was the saying of the day — a clever twist on a common-but-crass phrase. And some people on social media thought it missed the mark.

"I understand the concern but did not feel this was appropriate," a commenter wrote on KSL Newsradio's Facebook page.

Love today's #MondayMessage from UDOT or hate it? Our texters are mixed.

Posted by KSL NewsRadio on Monday, November 9, 2015

"If you're trying to make an impact, there may be a few people that don't agree," UDOT spokesman John Gleason said. "We're OK with that because the overall goal here is to get people talking."

Still, the overwhelming majority of people liked the message.

"That is a great message and much needed," one Facebook commenter wrote.

"They're fantastic, and people need to stop being so sensitive," another posted.

"We take a lighthearted approach, but make no mistake, this is a serious issue," Gleason said. "People are dying on our roads, and we want to do something to get people's attention, to get people talking."

(Photo: KSL-TV)
(Photo: KSL-TV)

So, UDOT will keep digging deep to come up with more favorites like, "Control your fate texting can wait;" "That seatbelt looks good on you;" and "Turn signals: the original instant message."

"The goal here is not to offend, but it is to get people talking. With the reaction we've received today, I think we've accomplished that," Gleason said.

Several people at UDOT put their heads together every week to come up with these weekly messages. But they can't take credit for the controversial Monday Message: the Iowa Department of Transportation used it first on one of its message boards.

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Jed Boal

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