Minnesota To Continue Quirky Safety Signs Despite Federal Ban

MINNESOTA — Despite a recent ruling by the feds to ban quirky messages on overhead electronic signs, the Minnesota Dept. of Transportation says, their creative messages are here to stay.

Starting in 2026, a newly-released federal rulebook will ban funny or obscure messages on roadside signs. The feds say those signs can be distracting or even misunderstood.

Anne Meyer with MnDOT tells FOX21 that some guidelines from the Federal Highway Administration are more restrictive and considered mandatory that all states need to follow, for example: “Traffic control messages shall have priority over traffic safety campaign messages.”  This is Minnesota’s standard practice and will continue to be.

Meyer went on to say, others are more flexible and allow states to exercise their judgement; including this ruling.

According to Meyer, MnDOT does not plan to change how they share safety messages through their Message Monday Campaign on the highways with a little bit of fun, flare and the occasional pop-culture reference.