© Associated Press
Illinois drivers who appreciate humorous messages while they're on area highways will be sad to learn that such signs will be banned in coming years.
According to new guidance released this week, the U.S. Federal Highway Administration has given states two years to implement changes outlined in a new manual released last month.
Overhead electronic signs with obscure meanings, pop culture references or those intended to be funny will be banned in 2026 because they can be "misunderstood or distracting to drivers," according to the Associated Press.
The Illinois Department of Transportation has had some noteworthy humorous signs in recent years. Some of the most notable IDOT signs included "No Texting, No Speeding, No Ketchup" in an image captured by the Daily Herald.
© courtesy of Kevin PangAn electronic sign on I-90/94 heading southbound toward downtown Chicago touts safety and the local hatred of ketchup on hot dogs. It's part of an Illinois Department of Transportation campaign to reduce crashes.
© IDOTIDOT pumped up its digital messages to catch drivers' attention, in this case with a pointed reminder about cyclists.
Signage must be "simple, direct, brief, legible and clear" according to the new manual.
It is unclear how long it will take Illinois to switch its protocols on overhead signage.
- traffic moving slowly
Why?????????
- speed kills
Planes are still flying safely by.
- don't drink and drive
Does this include H2O, coffee, tea?
- drive to arrive
That's the whole point behind driving, is it not.
- don't text and drive
What about reading them and your message on the sign
- seat belts are mandatory and the law
Only in cars or does this include home and work?
- speed limit fine rates (then they list the rates and corresponding speeds, like a menu, but never a fine for under the limit)
Hmmm, how much do I want to spend today, maybe I'll get a freely.
The funny signs have more meaning than their stupid actual traffic sayings that are irrelevant.