Federal Traffic Safety Officials Prohibit Funny Road Signs Due To Distracted Driving Car Accident Risks

On major roads and highways throughout Manatee County, electronic message boards help convey serious traffic safety concerns in the hopes of reducing crashes and collisions. These signs increasingly rely on jokes, puns, or clever quips to catch and hold the driver’s attention. While they may be funny and can momentarily brighten a monotonous trip, federal officials are concerned it could increase distracted driving risks. Our Bradenton car accident lawyer explains more about the problem and how to protect yourself and your passengers against distracted driving crashes.

Funny Message Boards Could Pose Risks To Drivers

Car accidents in Bradenton pose serious risks. State and local traffic safety officials use electronic message boards on heavily traveled highways and interstates to raise awareness of reckless driving behavior that can make crashes more likely to happen and to notify motorists of dangerous conditions that lie ahead.

In recent years, these signs went from posting grim facts and warnings to more clever ways of making their point. Little jokes, puns, and funny phrasing put a little humor into the situation and are often successful in capturing the attention of drivers in the area.

While these signs may make you and your passengers smile when you encounter them, they are a serious concern for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). A January 2024 USA Today news report states that the agency is updating government manuals concerning traffic signs to prevent any type of clever or funny messages from being posted.

The reasoning is that these signs do such a good job of capturing the driver’s attention that they could cause them to be momentarily distracted by what is going around them. Focusing on anything other than the road for even a few seconds can make distracted driving car accidents in Bradenton more likely to happen.

Reducing Your Bradenton Distracted Driving Car Accident Risks

The Florida Department of Transportation warns that anything that causes you to take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off of driving increases the likelihood of a crash. Distracted driving car accidents in Bradenton are unfortunately common. While state and federal officials debate how to alert drivers to potential dangers, take the following steps to reduce your risks:

• Avoid texting, talking on cell phones, or otherwise using electronic devices while driving;
• Avoid eating fast food, trying to juggle coffee, or changing GPS while on the road;
• Attend to children or other passenger needs prior to your trip or after pulling over;
• Stay focused on what is going on around you at all times;
• Avoid reckless driving behaviors, such as speeding and tailgating, that increase crash risks. 

Request A Consultation With Our Bradenton Car Accident Lawyer

When distracted driving car accidents in Bradenton happen, the Law Office of Steven G. Lavely provides the trusted, local legal representation you need in filing a claim. To request a consultation, call or contact our Bradenton car accident lawyer online today.

Sources:

usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/01/17/federal-highway-administration-ban-funny-electronic-signs/72253799007/

mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/

fdot.gov/Safety/programs/distracted-driving.shtm