The federal government says freeway signs with obscure meanings, references to pop culture, or those intended to be humorous are distracting to drivers.
Tianna Morimoto
3TV/CBS 5
“Don’t hurry, be happy” and “Merge real smooth” are some of the messages seen on Arizona freeway signs in recent years. While the Arizona Department of Transportation uses humor on these signs to promote safe driving, messages like these may soon disappear after a federal government department claims that the signs are distracting or can be misunderstood while on the road.
The Federal Highway Administration says freeway signs with obscure meanings, references to pop culture, or those intended to be humorous are distracting to drivers and gave ADOT and other states two years to remove them. The FHWA says the signs should be used for important information like severe weather or a crash rather than humor that not everyone will understand.