Funny messages on US electronic road signs to be banned, say federal officials
Funny and quirky messages on electronic road signs in the US are to be banned.
The US Federal Highway Administration has given states two years to make changes to ensure signs no longer display messages with “obscure meanings”.
Officials said overhead signs with references to pop culture or those intended to be funny will also be banned in 2026.
The agency said it was making the move because such messages can be misunderstood or distracting to drivers.
Signs should be “simple, direct, brief, legible and clear” and only used for important information such as warning drivers of crashes ahead, adverse weather conditions and traffic delays, it said.
Seatbelt reminders and warnings about the dangers of speeding or driving impaired are also allowed.
Among those that will be disappearing are messages such as “Visiting in-laws? Slow down, get there late,” from Ohio.
Other examples of messages which won’t be allowed include:
“Don’t drive Star Spangled Hammered,” from Pennsylvania.
“Hocus pocus, drive with focus,” from New Jersey.
“Use Yah Blinkah,” from Massachusetts.
“Hands on the wheel, not your meal,” from Arizona.
The approaching ban comes as Arizona’s state transport department has been holding a contest to find the funniest and most creative electronic road sign messages.
Anyone could submit ideas with more than 3,700 entries being made last year.
The winners were “seatbelts always pass a vibe check” and “I’m just a sign asking drivers to use turn signals”.
The competition has been held for the last seven years with Arizona having more than 300 electronic signs along its roads.