JACKSON, Miss.–Political campaign signs can be dangerous. It’s not just for people who don’t like politics and get annoyed seeing the signs. MDOT says they are a safety hazard and are illegal on state highway rights-of-way.
The agency is again warning people hoping to get elected that they should not have their signs on the highways.
The following is from an MDOT news release:
To maintain traffic safety, the following rules govern the placement of signs.
- It is illegal to place signs within the right-of-way on state highways. The width of highway right-of-way varies by location and includes the driving lanes, shoulders, mowed areas and potentially may reach distances of 300 feet or more from the centerline of driving lanes.
- Keeping the right-of-way clear prevents safety hazards and interference with the traveling public along roadways.
- Signs with steel or wooden posts pose potential hazards which may cause harm to roadside workers, damage to roadside equipment and become projectiles if hit by mowers.
- Signs are not permitted within areas used for clear vision at intersections so they will not interfere with the sight distance of a driver. No signs are allowed in limited access right-of-way. Typically, the right-of-way is larger near roadway intersections.
- Any illegally placed signs will be removed. Signs removed by MDOT crews will be kept for two weeks at a local MDOT maintenance facility then discarded. Candidates may retrieve signs from MDOT without penalty.
- Illegally placed campaign signs contribute to our state’s $3.2 million litter problem spoiling Mississippi’s natural beauty.
- For information about right-of-way distances in specific areas along a state maintained highway, call the local MDOT maintenance facility.
For more information, call 601-359-7074 or visit GoMDOT.com.
