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MnDOT says funny signs will stay despite new federal standards
Despite general guidance advising otherwise, MnDOT says its funny signs are here to stay.
MINNESOTA, USA — From the cultural references to the funny and punny, those highway signs have been getting subtle chuckles from Minnesota drivers for several years.
But now the federal government is saying cool it with the jokes, but there’s technically no outright ban on humor.
Drivers say those funny signs above their commute certainly catch their attention. Federal officials say that’s the issue.
The new federal standards published this month says messages “with obscure or secondary meanings, such as those with popular culture references” or ones “intended to be humorous” should not be used.
But so many love the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Message Monday campaign that started in 2016 meant to open the conversation around traffic safety.
MnDOT said there’s a lot of confusion surrounding these standards. The organization denied interview requests but they did give a statement.
MnDOT said it’s aware of the new guidelines and that “we do not anticipate they will change the way MnDOT shares creative highway safety messages.”
It said it will continue to work with federal partners, but see the value in its clever signs.
“We believe these messages are an important part of improving the culture of traffic safety in Minnesota, and why we will continue our Message Monday campaign,” the statement read.
The Federal Highway Administration also gave a statement, clarifying there is no outright ban on humor or pop culture references.
It did include a recommendation to avoid funny sayings in those signs that “may confuse or distract drivers.”
“You don’t want to distract drivers,” said Joshua Madsen, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. He has studied the impacts of signs related to traffic fatalities in Texas.
“We came away with this conclusion that these signs actually can take too much attention away from the task at hand,” said Madsen.
He says although he notes there is likely some level of distraction by the signs, there isn’t enough research on humorous messages to support the new standards.
“Some states certainly have taken the humor to an extreme, right?” said Madsen. “I also think this policy is extreme in just saying let’s get rid of it all. It’s a conservative approach, I want to emphasize that it’s conservative. But more research needs to be done.”
The Department of Public Safety also issued a statement about potential changes to the road signs.
“We respect and agree with the changes they are making in regards to the use of these important public messaging tools,” said Office of Traffic Safety Director Mike Hanson.
“We respect and agree with the changes they are making in regards to the use of these important public messaging tools,” said Hanson.
When asked about the office’s reaction to MnDOT’s statement stating won’t be changing their signage, they said they had nothing to add to their previous statement.
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MINNEAPOLIS — How much do you know about your grandma’s upbringing?
“The Stories From My Grandmother’s Hands” is a book that aims to show young Black children how their grandmas lived through beautiful illustrations and descriptions.
KARE 11 News at Noon shared more on Thursday about the impact that this book will have.
Gary Peterson and his friends are collecting donations to help people in their community.
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — A St. Louis Park pumpkin display is raising money for their local food shelf.
Gary Peterson started carving and painting three pumpkins over a decade ago. It’s now grown to over 100.
“I’ve heard people say they’ve come from Hutchinson,” he said.
Peterson along with two of his neighbors have spent the last 14 years growing their display, turning it into a neighborhood event.
“It’s been incredible, I just can’t believe how much this has expanded,” he said. “We did it just because we like to and then people were asking to give us money to cover the cost.”
The trio refused to take people’s money, but then one of them had an idea.
“My neighbor, Steve Leensvaart, just mentioned how about we just do it for the STEP program and the STEP program is our local food shelf in St. Louis Park,” he said.
So, they started to collect donations to help families in need. They’ve raised hundreds of dollars and donated hundreds of pounds of food over the last few years, carving for a cause.
“It is more gratifying every year,” Peterson said.
He estimated they have over 100 unique pumpkins in their yard. They’ve created the displays and come up with new family-friendly concepts for people to enjoy. Peterson said about 30 of their neighbors carved their own pumpkins to be put on display, and it’s been a big hit.
“It’s great. In the last couple of years, it’s turned into more of a neighborhood event,” said Sarah Durch.
“We love this Halloween display, we come every year to see it. We love that the whole community gets involved to craft and carve the pumpkins,” said Jami Gordon-Smith.
“The shading and the details are unbelievable,” said Elizabeth Hanson.
Hanson hopes to take her 2-year-old son trick or treating for the first time but is worried the cold temperatures might keep them indoors.
“We’re going trick or treating hopefully,” she said. “He’s going to be a firefighter, but we’re probably going to have sweatshirts maybe like two pairs of sweatpants underneath. We’re going to be bundled up.”
Gordon-Smith said her family will be out Halloween night no matter the weather.
“Halloween only comes once a year, so you really have to take advantage and enjoy the evening no matter what the weather brings,” she said. “Guess it’s not totally unheard of in Minnesota to have a cold Halloween, but we are going to try and modify and do a lot of layers underneath our costumes and then we might add some hats and maybe some warmer socks.”
Durch also isn’t surprised they’re in for another chilly night.
“Well, what would Halloween be without Minnesota cold? I feel like every time you plan a costume you have to plan for how you can make this work if it’s snowing,” she said.
Peterson said they will have a bonfire and some hot chocolate and cider on Halloween to keep trick-or-treaters warm while they look at their pumpkins.
Click here to learn where you can see the pumpkins and how you can donate.
Jeremy Jourdain was 17 when he was last seen on Halloween 2016.
BEMIDJI, Minn. — The search for Jeremy Jourdain, who was last seen on Halloween in 2016, continues now eight years later.
Jourdain was last seen at a family member’s house in Bemidji, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior Indian Affairs. He left the residence near the 500 block of Wood Avenue after midnight and while people followed him, no one was able to find him.
Jourdain was 17 at the time.
Officials said he was wearing a blue and grey sweatshirt, and blue jeans when last seen. He is Native American and is described as 6 foot 5 and 175 pounds.
If you have any information on his whereabouts, you can contact the Bemidji Police Department at (218) 333-9111. Tips can also be sent to 1-833-560-2065, or you can email ojs_mmu@bia.gov.
