CAMDEN, NJ – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) and Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), 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 Congressman Norcross 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.