WASHINGTON, DC – In a letter sent to governors across the fifty states this past July, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged state leaders to prioritize road safety over political messaging by removing visible “distractions” from the likes of roads and crosswalks – including the fairly novel concept of rainbow-colored crosswalks.
After Pride Month ended, so did the wide-acceptance of roadway spectacles like rainbow-covered crosswalks, and Secretary Duffy aims to drive the final nail in the proverbial coffin of these ostensible eyesores.
The Transportation Secretary reportedly sent letters to the governors of all states, as well as the mayor of D.C. and the governor of Puerto Rico, formally requesting that the likes of political messages and general roadway distractions be removed in favor of uniform road markings that serve a genuine purpose.
In Secretary Duffy’s letter, he emphasized, “Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork. Today I am calling on governors in every state to ensure that roadways, intersections, and crosswalks are kept free of distractions.”
The endeavor, which requests governors have a detailed plan to address the roadway blemishes by the end of fiscal year 2026, is part of the broader Federal Highway Administration’s agenda known as SAFE ROADS, or Safe Arterials for Everyone through Reliable Operations and Distraction-Reducing Strategies.
While Democrat leaders have seemingly ignored the request from the Trump administration, or went as far as to claim it’s an attack on the gay community, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is serving as a trailblazer of sorts after placing his signature of approval on legislation that bans any sort of graffiti or political messaging on roadways and crosswalks.
Despite criticisms Governor DeSantis has received regarding the law passed in Florida in mid-June, the governor of the Sunshine State rebuffed allegations that solely rainbow crosswalks were being targeted for removal, noting that even the likes of a pro-law enforcement roadway mural in Tampa will be replaced with standardized road markings.
“This has been done across the state and it’s been done regardless of the messaging that’s been used,” Governor DeSantis stated when addressing his critics on the matter.
Secretary Duffy also fired back at critics who continue to fume over rainbow-colored crosswalks being painted over, taking to social media with, “Taxpayers expect their dollars to fund safe streets, not rainbow crosswalks. Political banners have no place on public roads. I’m reminding recipients of [Department of Transportation] roadway funding that it’s limited to features advancing safety, and nothing else. It’s that simple.”
After Pride Month ended, so did the wide-acceptance of roadway spectacles like rainbow-covered crosswalks, and Secretary Duffy aims to drive the final nail in the proverbial coffin of these ostensible eyesores.
The Transportation Secretary reportedly sent letters to the governors of all states, as well as the mayor of D.C. and the governor of Puerto Rico, formally requesting that the likes of political messages and general roadway distractions be removed in favor of uniform road markings that serve a genuine purpose.
In Secretary Duffy’s letter, he emphasized, “Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork. Today I am calling on governors in every state to ensure that roadways, intersections, and crosswalks are kept free of distractions.”
The endeavor, which requests governors have a detailed plan to address the roadway blemishes by the end of fiscal year 2026, is part of the broader Federal Highway Administration’s agenda known as SAFE ROADS, or Safe Arterials for Everyone through Reliable Operations and Distraction-Reducing Strategies.
While Democrat leaders have seemingly ignored the request from the Trump administration, or went as far as to claim it’s an attack on the gay community, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is serving as a trailblazer of sorts after placing his signature of approval on legislation that bans any sort of graffiti or political messaging on roadways and crosswalks.
Despite criticisms Governor DeSantis has received regarding the law passed in Florida in mid-June, the governor of the Sunshine State rebuffed allegations that solely rainbow crosswalks were being targeted for removal, noting that even the likes of a pro-law enforcement roadway mural in Tampa will be replaced with standardized road markings.
“This has been done across the state and it’s been done regardless of the messaging that’s been used,” Governor DeSantis stated when addressing his critics on the matter.
Secretary Duffy also fired back at critics who continue to fume over rainbow-colored crosswalks being painted over, taking to social media with, “Taxpayers expect their dollars to fund safe streets, not rainbow crosswalks. Political banners have no place on public roads. I’m reminding recipients of [Department of Transportation] roadway funding that it’s limited to features advancing safety, and nothing else. It’s that simple.”
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