The Biden Administration has gone too far.
Transportation Secretary Buttigieg (Humorless Prig-Indiana) has ordered states to do away with the entertaining highway signs on the interstate. In a 1,100 page manual on highway signs, the NHTSA says that funny signs are too much of a distraction for us riff-raff that travel the interstate system.
Today’s sign at the 55-269 interchange says:
“Tennessee Five Miles Four to Six Minutes”
I know the Tennessee line is five miles away. We all do. It was five miles yesterday, the day before, and the day before that. It’s not likely to move anytime in the foreseeable future. Thanks, Pete, but I don’t need any reminders that the Volunteer State border with Mississippi is exactly where it’s been since 1818.
Give me humor. Give me dumb MDOT and MHP jokes. Remind me to stop texting and buckle my seat-belt.
My friend Kevin reminded me of this one from a few years back:
“Watch out for Bob. Bob wears orange. Don’t hit Bob. We like Bob.”
I don’t know Bob, but I’d probably like him if I met him. MDOT likes Bob, so Bob’s probably an OK guy. I’ll bet Bob’s mother appreciates that the sign guys are looking out for him in a way that people remember. Kevin remembers this long after the day it ran. Even if people don’t remember MDOT Bob, they remember his orange and try not to smush him with their cars.
I’ll bet Secretary Pete doesn’t remember Bob.
I liked this one:
“Four I’s in Mississippi Two eyes on the road.”
Here's another:
“Visiting In Laws? Slow Down. Get There Late.”
That gets attention. It’s funny. It probably came from one of the guys in MHP Troop E. They understand humor, unlike the goobers at DOT in DC.
Here's the deal. The current signs are memorable. They convey messages that stick with the general public.
That’s what effective communication is all about. Give me something to make me laugh that I’ll remember.
Don’t just tell me that Tennessee is right where it has been for the past couple of centuries. I can remember that without help from 1,100 pages of federal DOT legalese.
And remember,
“Turkey’s Basted Don’t Drive Wasted”
