The Worst of Road Signs

[Michael in Philly]

Bad, because it's unconstitutional:  flashing construction sign seen today on I-83 outside of York, Pa., alternating between a picture of the U.S. flag and "One nation under God."

It's unconstitutional to use a phrase from the Pledge of Allegiance????

If you're the government (or a DOT employee who has access to the computers that program those signs), it is.  (If you're a DOT employee doing it on your own time, and not using the construction signs, that's your right.)

[See https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=4000.0 ]

[english si]

Michael in Philly - if it's allowed in the pledge of allegiance, it's constitutionally allowed to be said by Government employees with their Government hats on, or the pledge is unconstitutional. In fact, with the line it is, US money at the moment would be unconstitutional.

Last time I checked, the Courts just laugh at the cases that try and get it abolished.

[roadfro]

Bad, because it's unconstitutional:  flashing construction sign seen today on I-83 outside of York, Pa., alternating between a picture of the U.S. flag and "One nation under God."

Not necessarily unconstitutional...but not a helpful message for the motoring public.

I'm a strong believer in dynamic and variable message signs not displaying "feel good" or random "safety" messages...this described use seems to fit along with those.  Yeah, I get it's Independence Day weekend, but still... People look to those signs for information that will affect their commute or travel, and I feel the unimportant messages distract the driver and diminishes the value of the sign when used frequently. Even "Road Work Ahead / Use Caution" isn't always a necessary message without additional info.

[formulanone]

...or at least use those flashing signs to tell me where there's more parking.

[Duke87]

What the hell is this.

[hbelkins]

[See https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=4000.0 ]

And the relevance of this to the subject at hand is what, exactly?

[ctsignguy]

What the hell is this.

"Look both ways before crossing" sign aimed at one-eyed aliens??

[cjk374]

^^^ Watch for crossing cyclops?  

[Quillz]

Didn't get a pic, but apparently, CBS 2 believes California has a US-371...

[xcellntbuy]

When we reach the end of the Mayan calendar, you may go either way?  What a BAD sign.

[hbelkins]

I completely understand it. Look for traffic traveling both ways while crossing in the crosswalk. It's a bit non-standard, to be obvious, but the point is made.

[agentsteel53]

I'm a strong believer in dynamic and variable message signs not displaying "feel good" or random "safety" messages...this described use seems to fit along with those.  Yeah, I get it's Independence Day weekend, but still... People look to those signs for information that will affect their commute or travel, and I feel the unimportant messages distract the driver and diminishes the value of the sign when used frequently. Even "Road Work Ahead / Use Caution" isn't always a necessary message without additional info.

indeed.  when there is nothing to say, the signs should be off to save power and not add noise to the motoring landscape.

(though I would approve of "ZOMBIES AHEAD!!!")

[deathtopumpkins]

(though I would approve of "ZOMBIES AHEAD!!!")

Portables VMSes for a sewer main replacement project in my neighborhood were hacked to read this a little while ago. Was quite amusing.



As for bad road signs, I saw quite a few a few days ago when driving to and from Boston, but some that really stuck out are speed limit signs on I-95 in eastern Connecticut. I believe it was west of New London, there was a work zone and then about 20 miles of rural interstate that were posted with 50 mph signs half the size of former speed limit signs stuck on overtop. And since traffic was still averaging 70 (when it was moving) I'm willing to bet the former speed limit was 65. Outside of the shortish work zone, I see no reason for a reduced speed limit there, and posting smaller ones on top looks SO DAMN TACKY! 

[D-Dey65]

I've seen plenty of people use portable VMS's for commerical purposes especially in Florida. Just west of I-75 on US 98-FL 50 in Ridge Manor they frequenly use them to direct people to an annual dog show off of a side road. I wouldn't be surprised at this point to see one reading "Jimmy's 10th B-Day Party >>>."

[Scott5114]

[See https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=4000.0 ]

And the relevance of this to the subject at hand is what, exactly?

I had to edit the post in question because of a mangled quote. For the benefit of everyone that's actually reading your posts and thus has to decipher what's being said, and what's just being responded to, I would like to encourage everyone to make an effort to not do that.

[vtk]

In Hilliard, Ohio:



What makes this particularly bad is that someone must have gone to the trouble of aligning those arrows so they look good, rather than simply use the correct pattern.  The sings on the other approaches to the roundabout have the correct design.  For some reason, I forgot to check the back to see whether the blame belongs with the City of Hilliard, or Complete General Construction.  Either way, it may be replaced when construction is completed, because this sign is slightly mangled at the top.

Full disclosure: this image is actually a composite of two photos: one taken with a flash, and one taken without a flash.  Both photos are of the same sign assembly, from the same angle.  Original photos available upon request.

[hbelkins]

I had to edit the post in question because of a mangled quote. For the benefit of everyone that's actually reading your posts and thus has to decipher what's being said, and what's just being responded to, I would like to encourage everyone to make an effort to not do that.

I mangled a quote?

[Central Avenue]

I had to edit the post in question because of a mangled quote. For the benefit of everyone that's actually reading your posts and thus has to decipher what's being said, and what's just being responded to, I would like to encourage everyone to make an effort to not do that.

I mangled a quote?

No, the post you were quoting.

[Brandon]

I think we ran out of US-shaped shields.

[WillWeaverRVA]

Not sure what VDOT was thinking here...

[Scott5114]

This method for signing a left exit is complete overkill. The rest of the sign isn't anything to write home about, either, and what's with the random BUSINESS?

[cjk374]

I think we ran out of US-shaped shields.

Louisiana has always used text instead of shields for TO US 80 @ exits 49, 52, & 108.  Several years ago, they covered up the TO US 80 on exit 49 with the name MINDEN, and 2 years ago they put up new signs at exit 108 and used a shield instead of text.  The shield look so much better.

[Kniwt]

It's only NMDOT, so why bother, but here goes:

[agentsteel53]

the DENVER 439 is a patch.  I wonder what is below it - probably something closer than 8 miles.

with regard to US-550 shields, there are some far uglier ones closer to that junction.  I know there are several southbound; do not recall northbound offhand.

[texaskdog]

I always wonder why the exit arrows go up instead of down.  Yes it matches what you would see if you were looking down, but I believe the arrow pointing down would be more correct