GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – While driving down Highway 41 last month, you may have seen some lighthearted reminders to practice safety on the roads. But in the eyes of the federal government, they’re not so funny.
A recent Federal Highway Administration document shows they’ll be cracking down on the use of electronic signs for those types of humorous messages.
“Maybe some of those signs could be interpreted the wrong way,” Fox Valley Technical College Professional Communications Department Chair Sarah Rivet said. “Sometimes they [drivers] could be reading them too long, or thinking about the humor in it instead of the driver information that they’re looking for.”
“I think humor can be really effective when you use it appropriately in communications,” Rivet said. “Now obviously it’s a lot easier to use humor in verbal communications.”
Rivet said the problem here is humor is often subjective. And while the message may work for some drivers, it can be either lost in translation or a distraction for others.
“The hard thing about those road signs is that it’s a very broad audience, and what is appealing to one person and one person may find funny, another person may find offensive or may find inappropriate for the road,” Rivet said.
“It’s a momentary thing, I pull my eyes off the road for a second. I don’t think it’s that big a deal compared to the reminder that yeah, don’t look at my phone,” said driver Evan Stanek. “I think it’s fun. I do notice them.”
Even if he does see where it could be distracting.
“I could see how it would pull your attention away, because you’re reading the thing and the point of message is pay attention to what you’re doing,” Stanek said. “I understand.”
FOX 11 reached out to the State Department of Transportation for comment. They sent a statement saying the signs are used for PSAs. “When there is not a higher-value safety need for the equipment, such as information about impending weather, construction or unexpected closures ahead.”
They added, “We are aware of the manual recently released by FHWA and we will continue to comply with those guidelines.”
The DOT has over 150 of these electronic signs on highways across the state. The change will take effect in 2026.
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