Most absurd VMS messages

[jbnv]

This morning: "OBEY THE SIGN OR PAY THE FINE." (With traffic whizzing by at 10+mph over the posted limit.)

Ironically, this is a major election year with the governor and legislature up. IDK about you, but silly platitudes about law enforcement do not endear me to the current administration.

How do you know it was referring to speed limit signs?

You're right, I don't know for certain that it's referring to speed limits. That's the first thing I thought of, particularly since I-12 between Baton Rouge and Hammond is a popular stretch for speed traps. It could be referring to all of the regulatory signs on Louisiana highways. Either way, it seems like a really bad way to get people to comply with the law.

[tribar]

Saw one yesterday on the Edens that was something along the lines of "less 'Life In The Fast Lane,' more 'Take It Easy'"

I actually thought this one was clever. Most of IDOT's are cringeworthy.

[kphoger]

I don't want any "cute" messages on the VMS.  Give me information, possibly an admonition, or else nothing.

[abefroman329]

Saw one yesterday on the Edens that was something along the lines of "less 'Life In The Fast Lane,' more 'Take It Easy'"

I actually thought this one was clever. Most of IDOT's are cringeworthy.

It's only clever if you're familiar with the Eagles.

[abefroman329]

I don't want any "cute" messages on the VMS.  Give me information, possibly an admonition, or else nothing.

Today it just said to stay in your car and call *999 if your car stalls during extreme cold.

[UCFKnights]

I saw today:

ITS NOT
A
FUSS

TO STOP
FOR THE
BUSS

pretty bad imo

[Big John]

^^ They want you to stop for the LA Lakers owner?

[hotdogPi]

^^ They want you to stop for the LA Lakers owner?

Whenever I see a sign that says "no busses" or similar, I always think of it as "no kisses".

[jbnv]

LaDOTD gem of the day:

PROTECT YOUR BEADS
DON'T DRIVE DRUNK

(That's a Mardi Gras reference for you out-of-towners.)

[tribar]

IDOT is "celebrating" Office Space's 20th anniversary today

[US 81]

"ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE ... AND A SEATBELT"


"AVOID THE HEARTBELT - WEAR A SEATBELT"

[Michael]

I just saw this picture on Reddit:


Another thread had a picture from a different angle:

[tdindy88]

I just saw this picture on Reddit:


Another thread had a picture from a different angle:

You rebel!

[MNHighwayMan]

They're practically asking for it with that message.

[hotdogPi]

They're practically asking for it with that message.

I think they're trying to make it go viral.

[MNHighwayMan]

They're practically asking for it with that message.

I think they're trying to make it go viral.

Sure, but if their goal is driver safety, this is counterproductive. More people are going to be taking pictures while driving simply because they're being told not to.

[Scott5114]

This morning: "OBEY THE SIGN OR PAY THE FINE." (With traffic whizzing by at 10+mph over the posted limit.)

Ironically, this is a major election year with the governor and legislature up. IDK about you, but silly platitudes about law enforcement do not endear me to the current administration.

The guy that typed up the sign is probably a civil servant that will be employed whether or not the incumbent is re-elected.

[ilpt4u]

I just saw this picture on Reddit:


Another thread had a picture from a different angle:

IDOT has that VMS Message up yesterday & today on I-64 in the St Louis Metro East area

I did not take a picture of it while driving...

The pictures posted also appear to be IDOT, but up in Chicago, along the Dan Ryan - looks like Sox Park to the left in the one shot, so somewhere around 35th St on the South Side

[kphoger]

Yesterday, on my way home from work, I saw there had been an accident on the opposite side of Kellogg, at the Grove Street exit, with cars and police along the shoulder.  A few seconds later, I saw a message on the big VMS in the median:  Accident at Grove on shoulder.  Of course, I was already past Grove!  In the rear-view mirror, I saw that the other side of the VMS was blank.  So they were warning traffic on the wrong side of the highway about the incident.

[jeffandnicole]

Yesterday, on my way home from work, I saw there had been an accident on the opposite side of Kellogg, at the Grove Street exit, with cars and police along the shoulder.  A few seconds later, I saw a message on the big VMS in the median:  Accident at Grove on shoulder.  Of course, I was already past Grove!  In the rear-view mirror, I saw that the other side of the VMS was blank.  So they were warning traffic on the wrong side of the highway about the incident.

NJDOT has does this on numerous occasions.  Or informed people on illogical routings about a current or upcoming issue.

[kphoger]

I was ready to call and report it, but I had no idea what number to call.  I didn't figure it qualified as a 9-1-1 emergency...

[bzakharin]

Yesterday, on my way home from work, I saw there had been an accident on the opposite side of Kellogg, at the Grove Street exit, with cars and police along the shoulder.  A few seconds later, I saw a message on the big VMS in the median:  Accident at Grove on shoulder.  Of course, I was already past Grove!  In the rear-view mirror, I saw that the other side of the VMS was blank.  So they were warning traffic on the wrong side of the highway about the incident.

NJDOT has does this on numerous occasions.  Or informed people on illogical routings about a current or upcoming issue.

NJDOT also seems to post region-specific weather messages in places where no one is likely to be going there, like about snow in NW NJ on Southbound NJ 42

[Scott5114]

I was ready to call and report it, but I had no idea what number to call.  I didn't figure it qualified as a 9-1-1 emergency...

Probably whoever owns the VMS. Either the KDOT district office, or the city of Wichita (I seem to remember Kellogg is owned by the city, despite carrying US-54/400).

My guess is that whoever posted the message misread a map or list of signs and punched in the number for the sign facing the wrong direction.

[tribar]

I was ready to call and report it, but I had no idea what number to call.  I didn't figure it qualified as a 9-1-1 emergency...

I would think 511.

[jbnv]

LaDOTD gem of the day:



They must have hired someone from Massachusetts.