Say Goodbye To Funny Messages On Electronic Highway Signs
Have you ever driven on the high way and seen one of those electronic signs saying something like, “don’t be a stinker, use your blinker,” or, “tailgating is for football, not highways?” Well, thanks to the Federal Government, those will soon become a thing of the past. The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has given all states two years to eliminate humorous messages from their highway signs.
This decision was part of the administration’s new Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which is every bit as illuminating of a read as it sounds. In over 1,000 words, the manual goes to great, agonizing lengths to describe how to properly utilize highway signage.
The most glaring change the U.S. Depart of Transportation (USDOT) wants to implement is the elimination of cutesy, humorous messages designed to catch the eye of the driver and provide some levity on their daily commute.
The new guidelines state that signs can not display messages containing jokes or pop culture references which, in their words, “diminish respect for the sign.” The USDOT also claims that signs with these offbeat messages can be distracting for drivers, as they often take longer to read and digest. The messages could also be confusing for drivers who may not understand the references being made.
Honestly, I’m not sure what this new guideline is trying to accomplish. Is there really that much of a difference in how much time it takes to read a humorous sign versus a humorless one? And what’s more, wouldn’t the best way to ensure that a message sticks in someone’s head be to add a comical delivery to it? Which sign would resonate more with you, a sign saying, “don’t text and drive,” or one saying, “get your head out of your apps?”
Driving is already a tedious and tiresome activity as is. Why rob us drivers of the few glimmers of joy we receive on the road? Who hurt you, U.S. Federal Highway Administration?
8 Seemingly Unreal Places to Add to Your Travel Bucket List
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
This Arizona canyon was naturally carved by rainwater streams within the sandstone. The Navajo Nation gave it the name ‘The place where water runs through rocks.’ Visit Arizona explains that the Upper Antelope Canyon tour is more frequented due to increased sunlight and towering walls reaching 120 feet. Alternatively, the Lower Antelope Canyon tour is equally remarkable, providing visitors with an immersive encounter among the swirling sandstone walls.
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Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming
Among the world’s largest springs, the Grand Prismatic measures an expansive 370 feet in diameter, exceeding the size of a football field. Its vibrant appearance stems from bands of orange, yellow, and green that encircle the deep blue waters. These diverse colors originate from different strains of thermophile bacteria, thriving in the progressively cooler waters around the spring, as explained by Yellowstone National Park. For a bird’s-eye-like view of the Grand Prismatic, they suggest visitors follow the half-mile Fairy Falls trail to a lookout.
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The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan
Located in Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert, the Door to Hell is a large fiery crater. It emerged when a natural gas field accidentally caught fire in 1971 and has been burning continuously since then, according to National Geographic. A well-visited tourist spot, the Door to Hell permits visitors to hike down into the crater for a close view of the flames and an opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere of the site. The Door to Hell, also referred to as the Darvaza Gas Crater, is located in a rural part of the country.
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Diamond Beach, Iceland
Found along Iceland’s South Coast, the Diamond Beach is a volcanic black sand shoreline adjacent to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. Ice blocks from the glacier lagoon wash ashore after breaking into smaller pieces at sea, as mentioned in the Diamond Beach Travel Guide. The beach is also a natural habitat for seals.
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Mendenhall Glacier Caves, Alaska
According to the Tongass National Forest, the Mendenhall Glacier is among the numerous expansive glaciers originating from the Juneau Icefield, an area spanning 1500 square miles of rock, snow, and ice. The glacier gradually advances under the influence of gravity, descending down the slope. Over time, it carves the bedrock and erodes during its 13-mile path until it reaches Mendenhall Lake.
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Thor’s Well, Oregon
Located on the Oregon coast near Cape Perpetua, there’s a large sinkhole that appears to swallow seawater continuously, resembling a bottomless pit. According to Yachats Oregon, it’s often called the “drainpipe of the Pacific.” They explain that the well is actually a hole in the rock that gives the impression of draining ocean water. Some researchers believe this well might have started as a sea cave shaped by waves. Over time, its roof likely collapsed, creating openings at the top and bottom, which spray ocean water.
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Crooked Forest, Poland
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Found close to the town of Gryfino in West Pomerania, Poland, the Crooked Forest consists of 400 peculiarly contorted pine trees. As revealed by Discovery, these pine trees were planted approximately in 1930, back when the area was part of the German province of Pomerania. Starting from the ground, the pine trees exhibit a distinctive feature: they grow with a sharp 90-degree bend towards the north, before gracefully straightening up towards the sky.
Pink Beach, Padar Island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia
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The beach is named for its pink sand, which comes from tiny organisms in the coral reefs nearby. Visitors can swim, snorkel, and see marine life like sea turtles and manta rays in the clear water. The beach also has great views of hills and turquoise waters.
