It seems like humor and driving go together like peas and guac.

That’s to say there’s a controversy going on as to whether witty highway messaging makes our roads better — or if it’s a travesty that simply doesn’t belong.

On one side of the debate is the Federal Highway Administration. On the other are the Arizona Department of Transportation and commuters in Maricopa.

Last week, news emerged of a proposed nationwide ban on humorous, pop culture-tinged messages displayed on electronic message signs on state highways.

That sent local commuters, state transportation departments and politicians into a frenzy, including U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) who called the update an example of “unnecessary federal overreach” in an X post yesterday.

And while FHWA provided a little clarification yesterday, InMaricopa readers took to social media to voice their opinions on the proposed change.

Maricopa commuters react

Last year, around 80% of Maricopans commuted to metro Phoenix, Casa Grande, Florence and other nearby cities for work, meaning they see these signs all the time.

For example, five such signs exist on the commute in and out of Phoenix along Interstate 10: two on Ray Road, one on Wild Horse Pass Boulevard and two near Queen Creek Road.

Most InMaricopa readers did not appreciate the news and shared their love for the witty signs on social media.

“I love them,” wrote reader Elizabeth Ann Reinking. “They make me laugh and lighten the mood when in crappy commute traffic.”

Reader Ken Shields agreed, adding the witty messages are often memorable.

“I like the banter that they use,” he wrote. “The banter elicits a bit of a chuckle and helps you remember the message.”

Other readers said they felt the proposed limitations were an example of government overreach.

“I am so relieved that the feds are taking action on this compelling issue,” wrote Barry Vogel. “Otherwise, they might have to do something about fixing our roads, like [SR] 347.”

Not banned yet, just avoid ‘em

A spokesperson for the FHWA said a ban is not actually in place for the witty signs — for now. They just want state transportation departments to be more judicious in their use.

“It includes a recommendation to avoid the use of humor and pop culture references in changeable message signs that may confuse or distract drivers,” they said. “State and local agencies are expected to use good judgment.”

They recommended signs be “simple, direct, brief, legible and clear,” and limited to important information.

ADOT spokesperson Doug Pacey, however, said the messages promoting safe driving have been well-received by Arizonans.

ADOT is behind such classics as “Single in the HOV lane? Get a real date, not a court date.” And also: “100 is the temperature, not the speed limit.”

“Our team crafts messages to help start important conversations about traffic safety,” he told InMaricopa. “They sometimes include humor and cultural references, and we work hard to make sure the key messages about safety will be easily understood by drivers.”

ADOT even hosted statewide contests, soliciting the public for its next hilarious traffic safety slogan.

In 2015, ADOT told The Arizona Republic funny messages make people care more. People don’t want the department’s messaging to be as dry as the desert they live in.

“If we just talked about traffic and it was all dry, nobody would care,” said Tom Herrmann, who helped run ADOT’s Twitter account at the time.

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