Bipartisan House duo writes highway authorities expressing concern over traffic safety sign rule

Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. (RN.J.) sent a letter to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Administrator Shailen Butt, calling for “unnecessary restrictions on federal transportation.” safety rules expressing concern about “federal government overreach.”

Stanton posted: letter “Unnecessary overreach by the federal government could prevent states like Arizona and New Jersey from using humorous traffic safety signs,” the platform Stated.

This letter refers to a recently released document manual According to the FHWA, some road signs “should not be used” that cannot display messages with “ambiguous” or “secondary meanings,” such as references to pop culture or attempts to be funny. .

“[T]It may be misunderstood or understood by only some road users and may take a long time to process and understand,” the manual states. “Similarly, slogan-like messages or statistical displays should not be used.”

“Safety is a top priority for our constituents traveling on the roads, but we have concerns about this guidance,” the representatives said in the letter. They say they believe signs on the road can still be done “humorously” and “attract the attention of motorists on the road.”

“As members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, we understand that part of the state Department of Transportation’s role includes coordinating messages to residents. , we know what works for drivers,” the letter continues. “While FHWA’s expertise and oversight is critical to highway safety, state DOTs create state-specific communications to ensure local residents know what’s going on and stay safe.”

In their letter, Keene and Stanton ask for answers to questions about the reasoning behind the decision by early February.