At various times in the past I have done one of these posts based on my collection of pictures of various signs which I have run across, been amused by, and retained for possible future use. These have come from a variety of sources, but mostly from the internet. For THIS post, I have limited myself to pictures of signs which at least APPEAR to have been actual, “official” DOT signs which I have found amusing either by design, juxtaposition, or just choice of phrasing.
While I chose these because I found them funny, I do remembering reading something a while back that the Nebraska Legislature (I believe) was debating a potential law forbidding the use of humor on “official” road signs because they might be too distracting to drivers! There IS a point there, I suppose, but such a ban would make life just that much duller, which would be too bad, I think. In any case, before they all get banned by overly “safety-conscious” politicians, here are some of the signs I’ve collected for your amusement.
Many signs are, of course, put up in the attempt to enhance safety. That, obviously, is a GOOD thing. Still, I don’t think that they have to be boring and, in my opinion, they CAN make good use of the local vernacular (for example) to make sure that the message is communicated accurately. Here, for example, is a rather obviously “Southern” version of a rather standard sign.
While I chose these because I found them funny, I do remembering reading something a while back that the Nebraska Legislature (I believe) was debating a potential law forbidding the use of humor on “official” road signs because they might be too distracting to drivers! There IS a point there, I suppose, but such a ban would make life just that much duller, which would be too bad, I think. In any case, before they all get banned by overly “safety-conscious” politicians, here are some of the signs I’ve collected for your amusement.
Many signs are, of course, put up in the attempt to enhance safety. That, obviously, is a GOOD thing. Still, I don’t think that they have to be boring and, in my opinion, they CAN make good use of the local vernacular (for example) to make sure that the message is communicated accurately. Here, for example, is a rather obviously “Southern” version of a rather standard sign.
It MIGHT be because I lived “down South” for a long time, but I find that sign perfectly clear in its efforts to encourage people not to engage in excessive speeding.
In much the same way, I find THIS sign (below) perfectly appropriate as a device to encourage the use of turn signals. Such devices HAVE, after all, been standard (required) equipment on cars since 1954, so one would think that people would have the intelligence to use them. but perhaps one should never underestimate the power of human stupidity. Anyway, I thought this sign was a rather nice sort of reminder.
In much the same way, I find THIS sign (below) perfectly appropriate as a device to encourage the use of turn signals. Such devices HAVE, after all, been standard (required) equipment on cars since 1954, so one would think that people would have the intelligence to use them. but perhaps one should never underestimate the power of human stupidity. Anyway, I thought this sign was a rather nice sort of reminder.
Sometimes, I suspect that the people at the DOT get a bit frustrated with how many motorists simply seem to ignore the advice they post on signs, even when they are blatantly reasonable, even obviously smart. I certainly got that impression from this group of signs which I found a while back. I suspect that they MIGHT have gotten enough attention to actually have served the desired purpose, but you can never be too sure about things like that. Still, they would have gotten MY attention, how about you?
While I enjoy the use of “regionalisms” on road signs, I don’t want to suggest that the southern states are the only place one can find such things. Take, for example, the wording on the sign below (also relating to the use of turn signals) which could only have been put up in New England, probably near Boston, I would guess
Lest one think that humor is only possible when the DOT is using big, “light-up” signs with words, I should note that there ARE other sorts of possibilities with other sorts of signs. For example, while it didn’t strike me as obvious at first, I can see how the sign below COULD be taken to imply that the DOT is giving one permission to do a “Burn out!”
Now I DO suspect that the DOT people probably didn’t INTEND for this sign to be taken that way, but I can see that some people MIGHT interpret that way, especially if they chose to ignore the “25 M.P.H.” sign just below the funny one with the squiggles.
Sometimes, of course, a perfectly proper and well-intentioned sign can become amusing due to a simple act of nature (an “Act of God” as they are called). Here’s an example of such a phenomenon, I assume, which I do find funny, but I also think it does provide an appropriate note of legitimate concern.
Sometimes, of course, a perfectly proper and well-intentioned sign can become amusing due to a simple act of nature (an “Act of God” as they are called). Here’s an example of such a phenomenon, I assume, which I do find funny, but I also think it does provide an appropriate note of legitimate concern.
I mean, there’s NO question about it. That IS certainly “Loose Gravel” and it DOES seem to suggest a need for some sort of warning. I have no real idea where this picture was taken, although I suspect it was somewhere in the Rockies. However, as one who has travelled the Pigeon River Gorge through western North Carolina and east Tennessee many times, it COULD, just as easily have been taken there, and there are probably other possibilities, as well.
Of course, I haven’t really even touched on examples of signs which are entertaining simply because they were put up, probably for legitimate purposes, but in places where there is some sort of contrast which can strike one as funny, without any intention to be so. These are often just cases of somebody having been told to “put this sign there” and later discovering that there’s something about that location which creates an unusual and/or humorous juxtaposition. Here’s an example of what I mean:
Of course, I haven’t really even touched on examples of signs which are entertaining simply because they were put up, probably for legitimate purposes, but in places where there is some sort of contrast which can strike one as funny, without any intention to be so. These are often just cases of somebody having been told to “put this sign there” and later discovering that there’s something about that location which creates an unusual and/or humorous juxtaposition. Here’s an example of what I mean:
I mean, it’s not improbable to locate a “Senior Citizens Centre” in the same neighborhood as a cemetery, but the sign placement does seem a bit strange. Or, at least it does to me.
In closing, I’d like to take this opportunity to suggest avoiding driving along Route 1 about 8 miles from Dover (in Delaware, I presume). If their DOT can get THIS distracted, I’m not convinced that it would be safe.
In closing, I’d like to take this opportunity to suggest avoiding driving along Route 1 about 8 miles from Dover (in Delaware, I presume). If their DOT can get THIS distracted, I’m not convinced that it would be safe.
Well, that’s probably enough of this sort of thing for a while, at least. I expect I’ll be back in a couple of weeks chatting about something else. See you then.
🖖🏼 LLAP,
Dr. B
🖖🏼 LLAP,
Dr. B
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