The days of chuckling at witty and quirky messages on electronic highway signs are numbered, as the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) rolls out new regulations. In a 1,100-page manual released last month, the FHWA mandates that states implement changes within the next two years. The crackdown aims to eliminate overhead electronic signs with obscure or humorous content, citing concerns that such messages can be misunderstood or distract drivers.
States have embraced creative messaging for years, with Arizona’s annual contest for the funniest highway sign topping the list. However, messages like “Use Yah Blinkah” in Massachusetts and “Hocus pocus, drive with focus” in New Jersey will soon be a thing of the past. The FHWA emphasizes the need for signs to be “simple, direct, brief, legible, and clear,” focusing on important information like warnings for crashes, adverse weather, and traffic delays.
While some, like Arizona State Rep. David Cook, express support for the humor in signs, the FHWA contends that safety is the top priority. The move aims to ensure that signs convey critical information without the risk of misinterpretation. Despite resistance from some states, the FHWA provides a two-year window for compliance before the ban on humorous signs takes full effect in 2026.
