It’s that time of year again! With Christmas right around the corner, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is aiming to spread a little extra holiday cheer on Mississippi’s highways, and once again, we need your help.
Starting today, you can submit your clever holiday messages for a chance to see them on the big screens across the state—MDOT’s digital message signs (DMS). The last day to submit your messages is Sunday, Nov. 30.
“MDOT’s 12 Days of Christmas sign contest is a great way for us to engage with the public, spread a little holiday joy and get the safest possible travel out of Mississippi motorists,” said MDOT Executive Director Brad White. “Driver safety, especially during the holidays with many of us traveling to see loved ones, remains MDOT’s utmost priority. The DMS boards you see along Mississippi highways are a useful tool to help spread our message and maximize safe driving conditions.”
Traffic safety messages appear on DMS boards along highways and interstates throughout Mississippi. Messages submitted may revolve around Christmas-themed movies, songs and characters. Any local emergency messages and traffic updates automatically override scheduled messages on the DMS boards.
The winning messages will be displayed starting Sunday, Dec. 14, and drivers will see a new holiday-themed safety message each day with the final one posted on Dec. 25.
There is no limit to the number of messages you can submit, but below are some guidelines to remember:
- The message must relate to traffic safety.
- Signs can only accommodate three lines and 21 characters per line, including spaces.
- Hashtags, phone numbers and website addresses are not allowed.
- No emojis.
Some of MDOT’s favorite holiday messages from 2024 include:
EVERY TIME A BLINKER
BLINKS AND ANGEL
GETS ITS WINGS
BUDDY SAYS YOU SIT
ON A THRONE OF LIES
WHEN YOU DON’T SIGNAL
LET OTHERS MERGE
AND YOUR HEART WILL
GROW THREE SIZES
“In addition to submitting holiday messages, be sure to practice safe driving this holiday season. Please remind your friends and family to do the same,” said White. “Buckle up, eliminate distracted driving completely and always drive sober. Let’s do our part to make sure we all make it to our holiday destinations safely.”
Follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook, Instagram, X and Nextdoor for details on how to submit your messages.