Saturday, January 13, 2024

A Solution in Search of a Problem

 Leave it to the federal government to screw something up that did not need fixing.  The Washington ____ reported: 

For years, federal transportation officials have been trying to rein in usage of the signs, arguing there’s no evidence humor improves safety — and might create risks of its own by distracting or confusing drivers. State transportation officials, who are trying to encourage drivers to adopt better habits at a time when crash deaths have surged, have largely been undeterred while trying to sprinkle a little wit into calls for drivers to put down phones, buckle seat belts and ease off the gas.

Or as New Jersey put it: “Slow down. This aint Thunder Road.”....

For years, federal transportation officials have been trying to rein in usage of the signs, arguing there’s no evidence humor improves safety — and might create risks of its own by distracting or confusing drivers. State transportation officials, who are trying to encourage drivers to adopt better habits at a time when crash deaths have surged, have largely been undeterred while trying to sprinkle a little wit into calls for drivers to put down phones, buckle seat belts and ease off the gas.

Or as New Jersey put it: “Slow down. This aint Thunder Road.”

The draft of the revised version includes guidance that comes down firmly against such messages.

“Messages with obscure or secondary meanings, such as those with popular culture references, unconventional sign legend syntax, or that are intended to be humorous, should not be used,” the draft says.

Some states and safety advocacy groups have pushed back, calling for that language to be struck from the manual. Martin said such a provision could leave federal highway officials in the position of judging just how funny is too funny.

“You start getting into having to make subjective value judgments about things,” he said.

.... Even Mississippi got into the story.

The influence of the signs is difficult to measure, but Paul Katool, a spokesman for the Mississippi Department of Transportation, said he has heard from drivers who changed their behavior after seeing the messages. The department recently had a bit of a hit with a Taylor Swift-themed message: “Texting and driving? Say it: I’m the problem it’s me.”

“We’ve got a tremendous response and want to continue to do this,” Katool said. Rest of article.

 Nothing like a solution in search of a problem. 

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don’t have a problem with this. The stuff they put up on the signs is just stupid. Also, these signs are rapidly becoming deprecated by technology. I recently rented a Hyundai Tucson from Budget to make a road trip. Not only did the vehicle drive itself for 80% of the trip, but it was very much aware of all wrecks and road construction. I compared the built-in Hyundai nav system to my iPhone and it easily beat the iPhone.

I use this as an example because the Hyundai Tucson is very cheap. This tech is very affordable now.

Anonymous said...

Big Brother says nothing.

Anonymous said...

If they can't tax it they gotta ban it

Anonymous said...

Kamala Harris is in support of the restrictions on the inappropriate level of humor, when questioned she responded with the following statement.

“It is time for us to do what we have been doing. And that time is every day. Every day it is time for us to agree that there are things and tools that are available to us to slow this thing down”

Followed by

“We must together. Work together. To see where we are. Where we are headed, where we are going and our vision for where we should be. But also see it as a moment to, yes. Together, address the challenges and to work on the opportunities that are presented by this moment.”

It’s good to have leaders in place with such command of the English language. I take comfort knowing that they will be overseeing our own use of language.

Anonymous said...

The solution? Downsize government.

Them Was The Dayz said...

Of course if we tell them to fuck- off, they snatch the funds. Such is the predicament in which our society finds itself.

Can pronoun signage be next? Will 'back seat driver' become the next revolt from the leftist feminists?

I long for the day when an 18 wheeler driver could toot an air horn at a skirt in the passenger seat.

Anonymous said...

Crime is rampant, the judicial system is doing nothing to jail criminals and keep them there and what do we our elected officials(sic) do? Don't
Know who initiated this but they are the joker and they are playing one on the voters.

Anonymous said...

Not just a solution in search of a problem but a big government salary in search of some "work".

Anonymous said...

Suggest we send the feds a clear, unambiguous sign...

Anonymous said...

Wait till the Godless, Humorless USDOT hears about snowplow naming contests:

"No More Mr. Ice Guy. Ctrl Salt Delete. Betty WhiteOut. These are some of the creatively named city snow plows that are clearing the streets of Wichita, Kansas, this winter — to the delight of residents who can track their every move online.

Wichita’s tracker map often makes its way on social media posts: “My money’s on Clearopathra!” one user posted on X, formerly know as Twitter."

A sense of humor is something that most normal folks want more of, not less. And it's a sign of balanced brain development. So, of course Mayor Pete wants to ban it.

"These contests are not just a silly diversion — they help spotlight the important role of local transportation operation crews and plow operators who “work tirelessly … to keep our roads clear,” said Kirk Warren with Alaska’s transportation department."

Maybe Trump can close the Leftist US Depts of Trans and Education. And save a few bucks on social engineering by humorless fricks. And disband the FBI Thought Police, a wholly owned subsidiary of the PRC and Leftist DC/Hollyweird.

Favorites:
Chicken Plow Main

Blizzard Fillmore

Spreddie Van Halen

Creedence Clear-Road Survival

Skid Vicious

Lord Coldemort

Freeze Witherspoon

Gritney Spears

Blizzard of Oz

Don’t Flurry Be Happy

The Big LePlowski

I Snow You Can do it

Lord Cold-emort

You’re Killin Me Squalls

Deion Snowders

Of course, we have one snowplow for all of the 'Sip so Monday will be hell on earth. Let's call our "The Lone Slurryvivor"

Anonymous said...

Some have been saying for years that you will never see a happy liberal, a joyous democrat, a person with a sense of humor who runs a federal department or agency.

Is this proof or what?

Anonymous said...



We are your bad ass sniper,

So obey now or be shot,

Then bust guts in your di'per.


(See, cute signs can save lives.)



Anonymous said...

Never could read those signs way up there on the side of the highway after I got my medical marijuana prescription.

Anonymous said...

The federal government is the ultimate Karen!

Anonymous said...

I’m with 11:08.
I simply want useful information.
The pithy helpers on driver behavior suck. People still text and drivend so on.
Tell me where the delays are and how to get around them. Or just tell me the rate of traffic flow, or vehicle density, and let me figure it out.

Anonymous said...

I like the signs. Make me giggle.

Bill Dees said...

Did the Burma Shave roadside signs lead to unsafe drivers? How about billboards? Has there ever been a study?

BTW Fish, why can't you write "Washington Post"?

Anonymous said...

Thought this was going to be about renaming military bases.

Anonymous said...

I always appreciate a sign that says “Don’t read messages while driving “. I usually do it anyway but then feel guilty about it.


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If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

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