Federal officials want states to “use good judgment” and avoid humorous highway signs that may confuse or distract drivers. State officials say witty signs “break through the noise.”
And the super bright disco LED flashers that all the emergency (etc) vehicles have now. I've gotten migraines from them. What was wrong with the old lights that didn't stab your brain through your eye sockets?
The signs are definitely more engaging and something that comes up in normal conversation when someone has the latest one, but I don't actually expect them to make a difference. Maybe they'll remind a driver to check their current speed or attitude, but I can't see these changing people
In the latest edition of the federal standards for highway signs, published in December, officials warned that messages “with obscure or secondary meanings, such as those with popular culture references” or those that are “intended to be humorous,” should not be used.
The federal guidance, reported by The Wall Street Journal, was a blow to state officials who have had fun moonlighting as comedy writers in an attempt to grab the attention of drivers.
Paul Katool, a spokesman for the Mississippi Department of Transportation, is part of a group of employees who bat around ideas every month for funny highway signs, riffing on movies, pop music and upcoming holidays.
It’s Me.” Another popular one, Mr. Katool said, referred to the “Star Wars” television show “The Mandalorian,” declaring: “Baby Yoda Uses the Force But Still Needs a Car Seat.”
“By even having this discussion, MaineDOT believes the signs are meeting the purpose of promoting safety,” Paul Merrill, a spokesman for the department, said in a statement on Wednesday.
New Jersey has a tradition of using humorous signs like: “We’ll be blunt, don’t drive high,” and “Get your head out of your apps.” However, the state has been warned by federal officials that such messages can be distracting.
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