PHOENIX — Get ready to say goodbye to the quirky and humorous electronic signs on highways and freeways. The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has mandated that states implement changes to remove these signs within the next two years.
The new 1,100-page manual released by the administration outlines the rules for regulating signs and other traffic control devices. The focus is on ensuring that signs are simple, direct, brief, legible, and clear, providing important information to drivers such as warnings about crashes, adverse weather conditions, and traffic delays. Seat belt reminders and warnings about the dangers of speeding or driving impaired are also allowed.
Messages such as ”Use Yah Blinkah” in Massachusetts, “Visiting in-laws? Slow down, get there late” from Ohio, and “Hocus pocus, drive with focus” from New Jersey will soon be a thing of the past. Arizona, which has more than 300 electronic signs above its highways, has been known for its creative and funny messages. The state Department of Transportation has held a contest for the funniest and most creative messages for the last seven years.
State Rep. David Cook, a Republican from Globe, expressed his support for the humorous signs, questioning the federal government’s intervention in state matters. However, the Utah Department of Transportation has already stopped using humorous electronic signs in 2022, shifting its focus to other methods of promoting safe driving.
As we bid farewell to the quirky signs, it’s important to remember that the priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of drivers on the road.
Classic government overreach. Let people have a laugh on their drives! #LetTheLaughsRoll