Our local paper, The Bradford Era, published this morning an editorial that originally appeared in the Harrisburg Patriot-News, opposing an idea by our state’s transportation department to feature advertising on state signs. Department officials developed the idea in the hopes of generating some much-needed cash for the department.
My first thought was, hmm, that’s kind of different. Perhaps we could slap the university’s logo and a brief message on some of those signs. But, I changed my mind as I read further.
Already, there are way too many distractions while driving. Drivers are talking on their cell phones and texting. They’re also eating their lunch, talking to their passengers, trying to break up their kids’ fights in the backseat, paying attention to their GPS, watching out for construction and construction workers, taking note of detours, keeping an eye on the spedometer to keep John Law at bay and, if you live where I do, watching for critters leaping, running, scurrying and waddling into the road.
The last thing drivers need is another distraction. As the editorial writer noted, it’s already difficult for drivers to see and absorb traffic signs. They don’t need added distractions, which ultimately may prevent them from absorbing the original traffic-related message.
If our transportation department is truly cash-strapped, perhaps officials can have a bake sale. I’d be happy to help with that.
