What is Work Zone Wednesday?
Have you seen the fun messaging along Oklahoma highways and wondered who came up with that idea?
In 2016, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation began the Work Zone Wednesday messaging during its Work Zone Awareness campaign. The messaging was aimed to get drivers attention and make them think about safety behind the wheel. There are currently 52 digital messaging boards throughout the state that display the message every Wednesday, impacting more than 3.1 million drivers that pass by the boards.
The first two months proved to be so successful and impressionable on drivers that ODOT was asked to extend the messaging to a year-long effort. Every two months a committee of ODOT employees team up to plan messages that are informational, seasonal or have to do with a current pop culture trend. Each message must meet Federal Highway Administration regulations for roadway signage.
The department will carry on this weekly tradition for years to come to make an impact on driver’s safety habits.
Here is some Work Zone Wednesday messaging from 2017:
January 4, 2017
WORK ZONE WEDNESDAY - Speeders get tickets, not roses. #Bachelor #BachelorNation
January 11, 2017
WORK ZONE WEDNESDAY - Leave sooner, drive slower, live longer
Accidents cost everyone in time, money or worse. So plan to drive slower - it could save your life.
January 25, 2017
WORK ZONE WEDNESDAY- Texting and driving? Bless your heart!
Drive smart, put down the phone in our work zones.
February 1, 2017
WORK ZONE WEDNESDAY - Look for the shadow of a cone this #GroundhogDay and respect our work zones. #RespectTheCone
February 8, 2017
WORK ZONE WEDNESDAY -Put away distractions and keep your hands on the wheel so you can get home to the ones you love this #ValentinesDay.
February 15, 2017
WORK ZONE WEDNESDAY - Take it slow this #PresidentsDay and don't #Rushmore in our work zones.
February 22, 2017
March 1, 2017
WORK ZONE WEDNESDAY- When your eyes aren't on the road, things can happen fast. One call or text could wreck it all.
March 8, 2017
Nobody puts safety in a corner.
More drivers die in work zone accidents than workers every year. So don't put safety in a corner this weekend because the life you save could be your own.
March 15, 2017
WZW- You don't need a soothsayer to tell you bad drivers can be dangerous. Pay attention when driving and #RespectTheCone. #IdesOfMarch
March 22, 2017
"Spring into work zone safety!"
Spring has sprung and construction season has begun! Drive safely and pay attention in work zones.
March 29, 2017
April 5, 2017
WZW - Hey driver, we think your life matters so you should drive like it. More drivers than workers die in work zone accidents each year.
April 12, 2017
WZW - Don't trade your life for a text message or a the few seconds saved by speeding. Life is better with you in it. Drive safely.
April 19, 2017
Dear Driver, we think your life is valuable so drive safely. - Love ODOT. Your Life Matters: Drive Like It.
April 26, 2017
In the past five years, 85 people died in Oklahoma highway work zones. Most of these were drivers like you. Your Life Matters: Drive Like It
May 3, 2017
Pay attention while driving and the life you save could be your own. #WorkZoneWednesday #RespectTheCone
May 10, 2017
Make your mom proud this Mother's Day and drive safely in work zones. #WorkZoneWednesday #RespectTheCone
May 17, 2017
Flunking this quiz could cost you more than a bad grade. Speeding is one of the top causes of crashes in highway work zones.
May 24, 2017
We remember the fallen this Memorial weekend. Drive safely everyone. #WorkZoneWednesday
May 31, 2017
Stay safe on the roads as summer driving season begins. #WorkZoneWednesday
June 7, 2017
In case you missed it here is yesterday's #WorkZoneWednesday. #JustDrive #Sandlot
June 14, 2017
Make your dad proud this Father's day; don't play around with your life in work zones. Drive safely. #WorkZoneWednesday #FathersDay
June 21, 2017
You're no McQueen. Slow down and leave the speeding to the pros. #Cars3 #WorkZoneWednesday
June 28, 2017
Show some independence this #FourthofJuly and put your phone down while driving. #WorkZoneWednesday #RespectTheCone
July 5, 2017
Keep your eagle eyes on the road and drive safely, Oklahoma. #WorkZoneWednesday #FourthofJuly
July 12, 2017
Slow down and enjoy the drive today. #WorkZoneWednesday
July 19, 2017
Slow down and enjoy your trip! #WorkZoneWednesday
July 26, 2017
WORK ZONE WEDNESDAY: Slow down, enjoy the drive while exploring Oklahoma!
August 2, 2017
Pay attention behind the wheel - your car won't drive itself.
August 9, 2017
Keep your cool in the work zone. #WorkZoneWednesday
August 16, 2017
WZW: Keep your eyes on the road to prevent the spectacle in the sky from turning into a disaster on the highway. #eclipse2017
August 23, 2017
Put your phone away while driving because the life you save could be your own. #WorkZoneWednesday #justdriveok
August 30, 2017
Give your phone the break it deserves while you're driving this Labor Day weekend. #WorkZoneWednesday #JustDriveOK
September 6, 2017
Don't bet your life on your ability to multitask. If you've gotta text it you'd better exit. #WorkZoneWednesday
September 13, 2017
Practice safe driving on your way to the game this weekend. #WorkZoneWednesday
September 20, 2017
Don't fall into bad habits behind the wheel this season. #WorkZoneWednesday #JustDrive
September 27, 2017
Don't be a "brat", drive safely this #Oktoberfest.
October 4, 2017
Don't jibber jabber on your phone while driving! @MrT #JustDrive #WorkZoneWednesday
October 11, 2017
The only way to get to Texas is to drive safe! #WorkZoneWednesday #BoomerSooner #BeatTexas
October 18, 2017
Shoot for safe driving this basketball season. #WorkZoneWednesday @okcthunder
October 25, 2017
Don't give other drivers a scare in work zones, drive safely this #Halloween! #WorkZoneWednesday
November 1, 2017
Left lane campers be advised: new state law goes into effect today. Save your camping for one of Oklahoma's beautiful state parks! @TravelOK
November 8, 2017
Make it to #Thanksgiving dinner this year, drive safely. #WorkZoneWednesday
November 15, 2017
We love you more than pumpkin spice
drive safely
November 22, 2017
Make it to #Thanksgiving dinner this year, drive safely. #WorkZoneWednesday
November 29, 2017
WORK ZONE WEDNESDAY: Hey drivers, just a friendly reminder to keep a safe following distance between you and the next vehicle. @hansonmusic
December 6, 2017
WORK ZONE WEDNESDAY: Make good choices this holiday season, don't text and drive.
December 13, 2017
Don't end up on the naughty list, drive safely in work zones this #Christmas season. #WorkZoneWednesday
December 20, 2017
"ho ho hold onto the wheel"
"happy holidays from ODOT"
December 27, 2017
WORK ZONE WEDNESDAY: End the year right and drive safe! Happy New Year from @OKDOT
