In the newest edition of the 1,100-page Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, guidance on humorous signs states they “might be misunderstood or understood only by a limited segment of road users.'Ī spokeswoman for the FHS told the Wall Street Journal that states should follow five principles: 'fulfill a need, command attention, convey a clear, simple message, command respect, and provide adequate time for proper response.” The problem, according to federal officials, is that many people miss the jokes and get confused or distracted trying to figure them out. The signs are designed to relay important information, but sometimes when there's nothing urgent to say, many states often go with a humorous twist.

It turns out the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) is not laughing at quirky road signs.Īccording to the Wall Street Journal, they're cracking down on the practice.