"Feds Crack Down on Humorous Highway Messages Across U.S."

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration has mandated a ban on humorous and quirky electronic messages on highways by 2026, citing potential misunderstandings and distractions for drivers. States have been given two years to implement the changes outlined in a new 1,100-page manual, with the focus on using signs for important information such as warnings about crashes, adverse weather, and traffic delays. This decision will impact popular and creative messages displayed on electronic signs in states like Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Arizona, where the use of humor has been embraced. Arizona, for example, has held a contest for the funniest messages for the past seven years, drawing thousands of entries. Some state officials are critical of the federal government's intervention, questioning the need for such regulation.