Stop PennDOT from putting ads on official highway signs

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is considering a pilot program whereby official message signs along highways would also be used to display commercial advertising. Under this program, the same signs that inform you of traffic delays or hazardous road conditions, will be turned into digital billboards that show rotating ads in between any official messages.  PennDOT believes this is good for motorists.

Pennsylvania has joined California and Florida in this application to the FHWA to waive the regulations that prohibit distracting commercial advertisements on state-controlled, overhead and roadside signs in the right of way.  Outdoor advertising companies would convert the current signs to digital billboards that, when not displaying advertisements, will also provide drivers with official highway travel information.   The signs will be capable of displaying bright, full color ads that rotate every 6 - 10 seconds, and it will be up to the motorist to decipher which messages are ads and which are important travel information that the state wants them to know.

This scheme violates the Highway Beautification Act as well as other federal laws barring commercial advertising on traffic signs.  In addition to a waiver by FHWA, the Pennsylvania Legislature would need to change state laws prohibiting this as well. 

Use the form below to contact state and federal transportation officials and let them know of your opposition to this proposal.  Simply edit the sample letter, fill in your contact information and click "send my message!"  It's that easy, your letter will be delivered to the appropriate officials. 

We strongly encourage you to personalize your message as it makes a huge difference in its effectiveness.