Federal Highway Administration loses sense of humor

[Omega Man]

Some think the sense of humor was lost in deep snow in Donner Pass, some say it was in a dilapidated Gulf station along the "Mother Road".

Instead of going looking for their Lost Sense of Humor, They have come up with a different idea-

The Federal Highway Administration recently released an updated 1,100-page manual that spells out how signs and other traffic control devices are regulated. In it, the agency strongly recommends against overhead electronic signs with obscure meanings, references to pop culture or those intended to be funny.16 hours ago.

In any case, if you happen to find the original Sense of Humor manual, it may help all of us if you contact the FHA and let them get back to the real important stuff.
OM

 

[52184]

While I will miss the humorous signs I can understand them being halted due to the possibility of distraction, especially the ones with scrolling text. Humour is always a thing drawn from cultural reference or familiarity, and if one doesn’t immediately “get” the sign then focusing on trying to unwind that could detract from attention to the road and thinking about driving. For me, the sign displayed on the opening screen of the clip is a prime example—forgive my cultural ignorance, but what is a “buchle girl”?? That leaves me puzzling as I drive down the road…

Those of us who lean toward European vehicles should understand this—after all, how long did it take for cup holders to appear in European cars? You‘re supposed to be driving, not fiddling with a cup!

Best,
DeVern

 

[20774]

One less thing to pull the eyes of drivers from their phones onto the surroundings!

 

[Omega Man]

I wonder about the LED changing billboards that have become so popular?
Seems a fair amount more distracting.
OM

 

[Omega Man]

Just in, the original report and new manual was only 700 pages. Just before turning the report in, the Team charged with writing the report happen to watch Rodney Dangerfield's "Back to School"....and didn't want to take any chances.

OM

 

[akbeemer]

Someone probably got a promotion for overseeing the creation of that manual. The way to get ahead in a bureaucracy is to increase the size, budget or authority of the bureaucracy.

 

[fmdualexhaust]

I wonder about the LED changing billboards that have become so popular?
Seems a fair amount more distracting.
OM

Especially on a rainy night.

 

[88bmwjeff]

--forgive my cultural ignorance, but what is a “buchle girl”?? That leaves me puzzling as I drive down the road…

Buckle girl is a play on words to the song Barbie Girl, which got a lot of air play in the 90's. I'm not a fan of the song myself (that's my PC correct statement, and I'll do you a favor by not posting a link to the song). There's a line in the song that says "I'm a Barbie girl in a Barbie world." So, they wrote "Be a Buckle girl in a Buckle world."

 

[52184]

Buckle girl is a play on words to the song Barbie Girl, which got a lot of air play in the 90's. I'm not a fan of the song myself (that's my PC correct statement, and I'll do you a favor by not posting a link to the son). There's a line in the song that says "I'm a Barbie girl in a Barbie world." So, they wrote "Be a Buckle girl in a Buckle world."

See, even tho I’ve seen the Barbie movie it would have taken me several distracted miles to figure that out. Falls flat for me. I guess that’s what I get for not paying attention to pop culture nor pondering same as I go about my daily business.


Best,
DeVern

 

[pglaves]

The State of Minnesota got the memo and declared that their humorous signs were designed specifically to improve safety and they intend to keep using them for that purpose. We shall see how that turns out over time, I am sure.

 

[52184]

The State of Minnesota got the memo and declared that their humorous signs were designed specifically to improve safety and they intend to keep using them for that purpose. We shall see how that turns out over time, I am sure.

When the next survey shows that drivers are ignoring the bland signs, Minnesota will look prescient.

Best,
DeVern

 

[pauls1150]

A lot of drivers really need something to humor up their day a bit (especially while stuck in traffic), but it should be kept to something that won't pull their mind from what should be the Primary Task.
The LED billboards really piss me off - incredibly bright, flashing and changing, and they just about force a driver to take his eyes off the road. Around here, some of them seem to have slightly reduced brilliance at night, but it's still too much. Grrr.

 

[Omega Man]

Around here they will still use these signs when it suits them. In the fall, they use these signs to advertise for snowplow drivers……with a phone number!
let’s see, scramble for a pen and paper…..get the phone out for a quick snap…..maybe quick, slam on the brakes to catch the scroll next time by?
OM

 

[lee]

Buckle girl is a play on words to the song Barbie Girl

I would never have guessed that.
Google could not figure out "Be a Buchle girl in a Buchle world"

 

[akbeemer]

I just find it alarming and unsettling that DeVern attended the Barbie movie.

 

[52184]

I just find it alarming and unsettling that DeVern attended the Barbie movie.

A required half of the Barbenheimer experience! Attended with my wife, son, and his fiancé; we all had a good time and discovered there was more to the movie than most would first think.
Consider it just another weird aspect of life in Utah.

Best,
DeVern

 

[rogerc60]

My wife and I always laugh at those signs, but not at the (attempted) humor of the messages, rather at how ridiculous it is for the highway department to put big distracting signs along the highways and expect it to improve safety. Our typical discussion when we see one is "Okay, how many seconds were you distracted from your driving while trying to figure out what message that sign was trying to convey to you?"