End of the Road For Highway Humor: Feds Ban Funny Highway Signs

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The laughs are over on America’s highways. The U.S Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued new guidelines that require states to remove humorous or sarcastic messages from electronic signs over highways across the country. The ban goes into effect in 2026. Any signs with obscure pop culture references or jokes will be in violation.

Why Are Highway Administrators Banning Funny Traffic Signs?

The FHWA says that humor can be too confusing or distracting for motorists. The primary purpose of a highway sign is to communicate a clear, concise message. Drivers only have a few seconds to comprehend a sign’s information. Humorous signs could increase the likelihood of accidents if drivers are focused on decoding jokes instead of driving safely.

Fans Of The Humous Highway Signs Disagree With Ban

Highway safety is no laughing matter. But highway humor signs are very popular with motorists. Supporters argue the humor actually helps lifesaving ideas stick in drivers’ minds or prevent driver fatigue. Some states may plan to petition the FHWA to save some of their most iconic funny signs.

The mandate has put some states in a bind, as funny and creative messages have become a trademark on their roads. Arizona is known to hold pun contests to come up with witty safety slogans for highway signs. Catchy quips like “Visiting in-laws? Slow down, get there late” kept drivers entertained in Ohio. Massachusetts had drivers chuckling with phrases like “Use Yah Blinkah.” Those days are about to end.

Examples of funny highway signs: 

• “Use Yah Blinkah” (Massachusetts)
• “Visiting in-laws? Slow down, get there late” (Ohio)
• “Don’t drive Star Spangled Hammered” (Pennsylvania)
• “Hocus pocus, drive with focus” (New Jersey)
• “Hands on the wheel, not your meal” (Arizona)
• “Four I’s in Mississippi, two eyes on the road” (Mississippi)

U.S. Officials To Funny Highway Signs: You Have Two Years to Stop Being Funny

The debate continues around highway sign humor and its effectiveness versus its risks. But for now, the FHWA refuses to crack a smile. Like it or not, funny highway signs will soon become a thing of the past.