Drivers going from New York City to Philadelphia aren't going to see funny traffic messages along the way anymore.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation has reportedly been told by the Federal Highway Administration to stop with the funny messages, which included slogans like, "Slow down — this ain't Thunder Road" and "Hocus pocus drive with focus."
Other messages included "Hold on to your butts — help prevent forest fires," "We'll be blunt — don't drive high," "Get your head out of your apps," "Nice car — did it come with a turn signal?" and "Mash potatoes — not your head," the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
"The FHWA has instructed us to cease posting these creative safety messages," Stephen Schapiro, NJDOT’s press manager, said in a statement to the Inquirer.
The FHWA told the newspaper it did reach out to NJDOT but did not comment on why the state was told to stop using the messages. Similar slogans have been used in other states including Utah, Pennsylvania, Delaware, California and Tennessee, the newspaper reported.
The Department of Transportation previously warned drivers not to take pictures of the signs.
"We're glad you're enjoying the new safety messages, but please don't take pictures of the VMS boards while driving! It is very dangerous and defeats the message we're trying to drive home," the department posted on Twitter in October.
NJDOT Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti told the Inquirer the messages -- displayed on overhead electronic road signs across the state -- were intended "to get the attention of folks on the road with messages that are quintessential New Jersey — kind of in-your-face."
"We're meeting drivers where they are, and these messages have caught on in a big way," she said. "These messages are just one of many ways we’re trying to make our roads safer."
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