Daily Talker: Winners Of MassDOT Highway Sign Contest Announced

One Friday morning in May, drivers on metro Boston roads actually noticed the message on the electronic highway signs, when MassDOT poked a little fun at the local accent with the phrase, "Changing lanes? Use ya blinkah!"

It became a social media phenomenon, with people suggesting their own messages on Facebook and Twitter. So state highway officials decided to hold a contest, and give three winners gift cards for gas and service plaza vendors.

The Boston Globe reports the winners of the DOTSpeak Highway Safety Message Contest will be officially announced Thursday.

In the road rage message category, Patrick Casey of Allston's suggestion of "Keep calm and drive on" will appear on signs this Friday.

Then on Labor Day weekend, drivers will get a message on distracted driving submitted by Justin Lovell of Whitman: "Put down the phone! Your LOLs and OMGs can wait."

The only winning message to use a Boston accent is on seat belt use, and will appear on Columbus Day weekend. "Make yah Ma proud, wear yah seatbelt" was submitted by the Parent's Supervised Driving Program team of Safe Roads Alliance.

According to the Globe, among the nearly 500 entries that didn't win: "Pass on the left. No the other left," "Put the phone down and drive yah losah," "If you're driving slowah, move ovah," and "Slow down, guy, ya drivin' wicked fast."

What do you think of the winning entries? Would these make you change your driving habits? Share your comments below, and watch for them on WBZ News in the Morning from 4:30 to 7:00 a.m.