MnDOT Begins New Electronic Sign Campaign For Safe Driving

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Starting Monday, there will be new messages on those electronic signs above the highways.

You've seen those digital signs warning motorists about stepped up enforcement of laws on drunk driving and speeding, but MnDOT felt the messages weren't sinking in.

"We thought that it was time to maybe to add some more information about, why are those enforcement waves so important?" State traffic engineer Sue Groth said.

So, with traffic fatalities increasing 7 percent last year and continuing to grow in 2013, the first message going up on the state's 150 digital signs is about the dangers of speed.

"You'll see, for the first time, 1 in 5 traffic deaths involve speed-related incidents," Groth said.

MnDOT says a priority will still be given to "real time" traffic alerts on crashes, detours, lane closures, construction and Amber Alerts.