The Worst of Road Signs

[Alex]

The signs replaced a previous set of signs installed between 1999-2002 that were equally bad. All of it was carbon copied, including the dated use of MUST EXIT and blah blah XXXX feet. I have all of that Clearview documented, but have not updated the main site to show it.

[1995hoo]

I've always liked the "MUST EXIT" instead of "EXIT ONLY."

I've often wondered whether the people who misunderstand "EXIT ONLY" as meaning "NO RE-ENTRY" would find "MUST EXIT" clearer.

[mhh]

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.538294,-82.949668,3a,15y,60.19h,86.44t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sfEaeR_dhGPzBofG786jdPQ!2e0

[cjk374]

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.538294,-82.949668,3a,15y,60.19h,86.44t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sfEaeR_dhGPzBofG786jdPQ!2e0

I don't see what's bad about this one.

[SignGeek101]

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.538294,-82.949668,3a,15y,60.19h,86.44t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sfEaeR_dhGPzBofG786jdPQ!2e0

I don't see what's bad about this one.

Agreed. Interesting perhaps, but definitely not worst.

[mhh]

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.538294,-82.949668,3a,15y,60.19h,86.44t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sfEaeR_dhGPzBofG786jdPQ!2e0

I don't see what's bad about this one.

Strange mixture of upper and lower case, improper use of Clearview, and what's up with the blue?

[jakeroot]

Strange mixture of upper and lower case

They're trying to emphasize the fact that you shouldn't block the driveway. I'll admit that "driveway" is normally capitalized, but that's a small niggle.

improper use of Clearview

More of a design error, but like above, it's a small niggle.

what's up with the blue?

Normal color for police signs (though these signs are pretty rare).

///

I would put this sign in the "Signs with Design Errors" thread, since the information being presented is correct, it's just done in an unusual manner (compared to other similar signs, though this is Michigan, and they've placed Clearview in places (in the past) where Clearview is not to be).

[NE2]

niggle

That's hep cattle to you.

[jakeroot]

niggle

That's hep cattle to you.

[Billy F 1988]

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.538294,-82.949668,3a,15y,60.19h,86.44t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sfEaeR_dhGPzBofG786jdPQ!2e0

That looks like a custom install made by a local shop, not by the DoT or their associates. What you may think is the worst actually is a sign that could use a simple redo. It's an iffy sign, but one that certainly doesn't scream "WORST SIGN EVER" because many here have seen worse in their lifetime. That "DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAY" sign is far below "Worst of Road Signs" criteria.

[PurdueBill]

It looks like they started with a standard DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION and then started changing and adding on.  It's maybe not Worst Of, maybe Design Errors, maybe Frankensign if it were pieces parts stuck together or something (but appears not).  It's not a great sign for sure, no matter what category. 

[Brandon]

niggle

That's hep cattle to you.

He's being dumb.

Niggle

First attested in 1599. Origin uncertain, but likely from Norwegian nigla and/or nigla. Possibly cognate to niggard.

Noun

niggle (plural niggles)

    A minor complaint or problem.  [quotations ▼]
    (obsolete) Small, cramped handwriting.

Verb

niggle (third-person singular simple present niggles, present participle niggling, simple past and past participle niggled)

    To trifle with; to deceive; to mock.

        (Can we find and add a quotation of Beaumont and Fletcher to this entry?)

    To dwell too much on minor points.
    To fidget, fiddle, be restless.

It has nothing to do with, and never did, with the n-word which is a corruption of the Spanish term for black, negro.

[SignGeek101]

Not sure if this qualifies as worst, but I don't like this one too much: 

http://goo.gl/maps/5SNdO

[vtk]

18" route markers on BGS?

[jakeroot]

Not sure if this qualifies as worst, but I don't like this one too much: 

18" route markers on BGS?

Looks like a design error.

[national highway 1]

Typical quality of Queensland road signs:

[Kniwt]

Typical quality of Queensland road signs:
(image)

I think I'd like to have a word as well with, um, "Crazy Clark's."

[national highway 1]

 

This is also from Queensland.

[xcellntbuy]

Typical quality of Queensland road signs:

The Queensland sign looks small in proportion to what information it is trying to make plain.

[SignGeek101]

Gah! Letters are all messed up somehow (a's and t's are different). Arrows and text are nonstandard (Helvetica?) Still not as bad as craIG countY though.



Not my pic.

[Bluenoser]

Gah! Letters are all messed up somehow (a's and t's are different). Arrows and text are nonstandard (Helvetica?) Still not as bad as craIG countY though.



Not my pic.

From exploring Saskatchewan on SV, that font is actually quite common on the grid roads...

[WNYroadgeek]

Ugh, that NY 33 shield: http://goo.gl/maps/nbnMC

(and to make matters worse, it's a fairly recent installation, so it won't be going away any time soon)

[SignGeek101]

Another one from me, this time brought to you by the city of Ottawa.
-Non standard arrows (to say the least, I mean look at the size comparison between signs.. yikes)
-Arrow off centre (right sign)
-Bad 416 shield
-Text too small for the shield
-Wrong shield font; notice the 6 is not FHWA
-Wrong fonts in the second picture





GMSV: http://goo.gl/maps/xNzRw

GMSV: http://goo.gl/maps/OBlwx

Ugh, that NY 33 shield: http://goo.gl/maps/nbnMC

(and to make matters worse, it's a fairly recent installation, so it won't be going away any time soon)

Pardon my ignorance, but could you explain what's wrong with the NY 33 shield? Both shields are in series F, which I believe was an old New York standard. The shield shape seems properly done too.

[cl94]

Ugh, that NY 33 shield: http://goo.gl/maps/nbnMC

(and to make matters worse, it's a fairly recent installation, so it won't be going away any time soon)

Pardon my ignorance, but could you explain what's wrong with the NY 33 shield? Both shields are in series F, which I believe was an old New York standard. The shield shape seems properly done too.

I'll weigh in on this. Certainly not as bad as some of the Batman shields around R5, but my biggest issue with it is the combination of styles. The shield is ever so slightly taller than full height (not far from the new standard), but the font is from when the old shields were used. NY 33 had some new installs last summer near the Thruway that are immaculate, but GSV isn't showing them and I'm only by there at night.

However you put it, the Ferry St install is a heck of a lot better than these POS signs nearby, which do deserve a spot on this thread.

[kphoger]

I need to stop visiting this thread, as it seems to have devolved into "Signs with any design flaw, no matter how minor, whose flaws require may require detailed explanation".