NEWARK, N.J. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Representative Donald Norcross (D-N.J.-01), along with U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and U.S. Representatives Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.-09), Donald Payne Jr. (D-N.J.-10), Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.-02), Andy Kim (D-N.J.-03), Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.-12), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.-11), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.-06), and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.-05), expressed concerns to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) over its decision to block the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s (NJDOT) creative, attention-grabbing roadway safety messages. 

“Last month, NJDOT began a campaign utilizing humor and New Jersey culture to raise awareness around safety. These quintessential Garden State messages have had a significant positive reception around the state, and have helped to alert in-state and out-of-state motorists to take reasonable precautions,” wrote Senator Booker and colleagues in a letter to FHWA Acting Administrator Stephanie Pollack. “Given the positive reception around these recent safety efforts in New Jersey, I am very concerned to have learned of FHWA’s decision to block the use of these signs earlier this week without providing NJDOT with a comprehensive, data-driven justification for the decision. I understand that FHWA requires roadway signs to command the attention of the motorist and convey a simple clear meaning. The recent campaign in New Jersey to deliver creative, short, humorous, and attention-grabbing messages seems to be an absolutely ideal way to raise awareness around safety and potentially save lives.”

In the letter, the members requested the FHWA:

  • Explain the analysis that went into FHWA’s decision to block NJDOT’s safety campaign.
  • Provide any data or evidence collected over the last several weeks that informed FHWA’s decision.
  • Provide any insight into why FHWA has chosen to block New Jersey’s specific approach to alerting motorists while other states have also utilized comparable safety campaigns. 

The full text of the letter can be found here.