Oklahoma Bans MUTCD

[Ned Weasel]

Full article from the Courier-Herald and Tribune, Glen Prairie, Texas:

Oklahoma Passes Legislation to Ban Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices Over Concerns of Government Overreach

Oklahoma lawmakers have recently passed legislation that bans the use of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) in the state, citing concerns of government overreach. The MUTCD is a document published by the Federal Highway Administration that provides guidelines and standards for the use of traffic control devices, such as signs, signals, and pavement markings, on public roads and highways.

According to Oklahoma lawmakers, the decision to ban the MUTCD was made as part of an effort to push back against what they see as an overreaching federal government. The legislation was introduced by State Senator John Smith, who argued that the use of the MUTCD constituted an infringement on the state's sovereignty and the rights of its citizens.

Supporters of the ban argue that the MUTCD represents an example of the federal government overstepping its bounds and imposing unnecessary regulations on state and local governments. They contend that the guidelines outlined in the MUTCD are often overly prescriptive and do not take into account the unique circumstances and needs of individual communities.

Opponents of the ban, however, warn that the decision to prohibit the use of the MUTCD could have serious consequences for public safety. They note that the guidelines outlined in the MUTCD are based on extensive research and testing, and are designed to ensure that traffic control devices are effective and consistent across the country.

In response to the ban, some traffic safety experts have expressed concern that it could lead to confusion and inconsistency on the state's roads and highways. Without a standard set of guidelines for traffic control devices, they argue, drivers and pedestrians could be placed in danger.

It remains to be seen how the ban on the MUTCD will be implemented in Oklahoma, and whether other states will follow suit. For now, however, it represents a significant challenge to the federal government's efforts to promote traffic safety and consistency across the nation.

[Scott5114]

The House Democrats all voted against this bill, but since there are only 20 of them out of 101 seats, it passed with a veto-proof majority. Kevin Stitt has already signed the bill.

In an interview with KWTV, Oklahoma Department of Transportation director Tim Gatz said:

Well, this is a real big deal, in a real big way. We're gonna take a look at all of the signs, and we're going to make sure we post them in a format that follows the Oklahoma values and spirit that the Legislature asked us to. We want to work with the Tourism Department to really show in our signs what's unique and special about the great state of Oklahoma. We're looking at making more of those signs like the ones that say "Cemetery", we're thinking we might do some of them for churches, casinos, and cannabis dispensaries too.

Truly spoken like a man with a degree in landscape architecture.

Governor Kevin Stitt said:

This is just another step in our plan to make Oklahoma a top ten state. We really can't stand out as a state if everything about it is the same as everywhere else. We're also going to modify the signs and make it a priority that they help guide business leaders to the most important destinations in our state, by which I mean the Mid-America Industrial Park in Pryor. We're also looking at not having signs to other destinations at all. That way we can keep jobs in the state of Oklahoma, by making it hard to find other states once you get here.

According to sources familiar with the subject that have asked to remain anonymous in order to speak freely, the president of the Automobile Club of Southern California sighed, muttered "This shit again?" and reluctantly dispatched a truck to Oklahoma.

[swake]

Are these rules not backed by federal law? Can they actually ban the MUTCD? This makes no sense. Which is about average for Stitt.

[davewiecking]

Tag team AFD. Well done!

[ozarkman417]

This is just another step in our plan to make Oklahoma a top ten state. We really can't stand out as a state if everything about it is the same as everywhere else.

No need to change the signs in Oklahoma then. They already stand out when compared to "everywhere else"...

Kinda Like this.

Special thanks to Scott and okroads for sponsoring today's oklahoma shitposting

[bugo]

*looks at the calendar*

[Bobby5280]

That example on the Creek Turnpike might take the trophy for worst designed big green sign in the state. I thought some of the signs we have in Lawton were bad, such as this one:
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.6382016,-98.4232233,3a,75y,90.94h,80.1t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAaolFfKif1XcGR_gR5mxww!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?authuser=0

Funny April Fools joke by the way.

[bugo]

The ugly sign has been there since at least 2012. This is from 2014:

[Ned Weasel]

This is just another step in our plan to make Oklahoma a top ten state. We really can't stand out as a state if everything about it is the same as everywhere else. We're also going to modify the signs and make it a priority that they help guide business leaders to the most important destinations in our state, by which I mean the Mid-America Industrial Park in Pryor.

This part cracked me up!

[skluth]

Anxiously awaiting for Gov Stitt to hold his breath until he turns blue if he doesn't get his way from the feds.

[Max Rockatansky]

Oklahoma actually followed the MUTCD to begin with?

[Quillz]

*looks at the calendar*

There's also no link to the original article.

Also the MUTCD isn't something that can even be "banned" to begin with, they are guidelines, not rules.

[US 41]

Oklahoma is totally awesome! Easily my favorite state to visit. I hope they never change.

[Roadgeekteen]

Oklahoma is totally awesome! Easily my favorite state to visit. I hope they never change.

You just got fooled by an April Fools joke. And I hope that Oklahoma does change a lot of things.

[Max Rockatansky]

Oklahoma is totally awesome! Easily my favorite state to visit. I hope they never change.

You just got fooled by an April Fools joke. And I hope that Oklahoma does change a lot of things.

Strong possibility 41's response was dripping with sarcasm.

[Scott5114]

I don't think anyone has ever said "Oklahoma is totally awesome" with a straight face.

[J N Winkler]

As a longtime collector, I'm anxiously awaiting the new Oklahoma traffic manual with the old Craig County sign used as the example for boundary/feature crossing signs.

[US 41]

I actually meant it. I love Oklahoma. It's like a healthy Midwestern / Southwestern mix. I've been looking for land to buy in the western part of the state. Would really like to find something in Boise City, but there's not a lot there unfortunately.

[Scott5114]

I've got a house in Norman I'll be looking to get rid of in a couple of years.

[Max Rockatansky]

I actually meant it. I love Oklahoma. It's like a healthy Midwestern / Southwestern mix. I've been looking for land to buy in the western part of the state. Would really like to find something in Boise City, but there's not a lot there unfortunately.

As someone who often seeks haggard and run down things I can appreciate the angle of thought here.

[swake]

I actually meant it. I love Oklahoma. It's like a healthy Midwestern / Southwestern mix. I've been looking for land to buy in the western part of the state. Would really like to find something in Boise City, but there's not a lot there unfortunately.

I've been through Boise City, and if there is one thing Boise City has plenty of, it's "not a lot there". It's a very desolate town.

[BigOkie]

I actually meant it. I love Oklahoma. It's like a healthy Midwestern / Southwestern mix. I've been looking for land to buy in the western part of the state. Would really like to find something in Boise City, but there's not a lot there unfortunately.

l



I've been through Boise City, and if there is one thing Boise City has plenty of, it's "not a lot there". It's a very desolate town.

It's also the only town in the United States to have been bombed.  Albeit not by any enemy.

https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,777833,00.htm

[Henry]

And it's no wonder most, if not all, of their signs suck!

[BigOkie]

The fact that many of us thought this was a real thing and not an April Fool's joke says a lot about the environment in Oklahoma...🙄

Keeping with the MUTCD subject, anyone who is familiar with the stretch of I-244 eastbound between Sheridan and OK 11 knows that since 244 has an affinity with left exits, there is that section where drivers need to exit at Memorial but people have no idea that lane also is an exit only lane for OK11 just about 1/3 past the Memorial exit.  This in the past created conflict with cars trying to pass not realizing OK11 was an impending forced exit.

I've noticed in the last two or three weeks that ODOT has put down an OK11 route pavement marking in that left lane just east of the on-ramp from Sheridan Rd.  I hope this cuts down on the franticness of drivers in that segment.

[bugo]

Keeping with the MUTCD subject, anyone who is familiar with the stretch of I-244 eastbound between Sheridan and OK 11 knows that since 244 has an affinity with left exits

I-244 is a little under 16 miles long, and it has 23 left exits or entrances. Here are three of the exits in a row.