A quirky social media post by New Hampshire’s DOT has gone viral, engaging younger drivers with a fun safety message about winter road conditions.
New Hampshire: So, you won’t believe what just happened! The state’s transportation folks made a post that totally blew up online. It was all about winter road conditions, and it got shared nearly 5,000 times. Crazy, right?
They called it the “Skibbity Weather Warning,” and it was aimed at younger drivers. Last year, there were way too many road deaths among that age group, so they wanted to grab their attention. They used some Gen Z lingo to make it relatable.
Jennifer Lane, the NHDOT’s communications director, said they wanted to get the safety message across in a fun way. The goal was to make sure younger drivers and their parents remember to drive safely in winter.
In fact, there was a 233% jump in deaths for drivers aged 16-21 last year. This post is part of a bigger plan called Driving Toward Zero, aiming to cut road deaths in half by 2030. They hope these warnings stick in young drivers’ minds.
Lane mentioned that leaning into trends helps make their messages more memorable. The post got over 2 million views, which is a big win for them in spreading the word about safe winter driving.
And get this, they’re even naming snowplows in a fun way! After a vote, the plows will have names like The Big Leplowski and Live Free and Plow. How cool is that?
They received almost 1,000 name suggestions and over 3,000 votes. The top names will be stenciled on the big orange plows, making winter road maintenance a bit more entertaining.
On another note, there’s a public hearing coming up about fixing two bridges in Pelham. These bridges are pretty old and need some serious work. The hearing is set for February 12, and residents can check out the plans beforehand.
Plus, the state just got a $15 million federal grant to add more electric vehicle charging stations. They’re hoping this will encourage more folks to switch to electric cars and help the environment.
This is just the start of a new column about transportation news in New Hampshire. If you have any questions or stories to share, reach out to transportation reporter Dave Pierce!
