Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has asked the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to reject California’s request to allow advertising on California’s highway alert signs.

In a letter to Secretary Mary Peters, Senator Feinstein noted that these signs are used to convey vital information to motorists, including road hazards, weather conditions, and Amber alerts. A similar letter was sent to the director of the California Department of Transportation, which is considering a plan to put ads on the signs.

Senator Feinstein warned that allowing advertising on these signs would create distractions for motorists and lessen the impact of safety messages.

Following is the text of Senator Feinstein’s letters:

October 21, 2008 

The Honorable Mary Peters
Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20590 

Dear Secretary Peters: 

I am writing to express my strong opposition to displaying new, potentially distracting advertising on California’s safety alert signs.  These signs warn motorists of delays, hazards, and Amber Alerts.  I believe advertising on these signs would present a safety hazard on our highways and would reduce the effectiveness of the safety messages that appear.

I worked for many years as a local official to reduce billboards because I believe highway advertising constitutes blight.  Advertisements are designed to gain a driver’s attention, distracting their eyes from the road.  This safety hazard puts all drivers on the road at risk.   

The California Department of Transportation’s plan to turn alert signs over to advertisements blurs the goal of informing the public of safety hazards, delays, road conditions, weather conditions, or an Amber alert.  It would constitute a violation of Federal regulations, which clearly state that these signs are “not an advertising medium.” 

I urge you to reject California’s request that you allow advertising on California’s alert signs, in violation of Federal rules.   

Sincerely,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

October 21, 2008

Mr. Will Kempton
Director
California Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 942873
Sacramento, CA 94273-0001 

Dear Director Kempton: 

I am writing to express my strong opposition to displaying new, potentially distracting advertising on California’s safety alert signs.  These signs warn motorists of delays, hazards, and Amber Alerts.  I believe advertising on these signs would present a safety hazard on our highways and would reduce the effectiveness of the safety messages that appear.

I worked for many years as a local official to reduce billboards because I believe highway advertising constitutes blight.  Advertisements are designed to gain a driver’s attention, distracting their eyes from the road.  This safety hazard puts all drivers on the road at risk. 

The California Department of Transportation’s plan to turn alert signs over to advertisements blurs the goal of informing the public of safety hazards, delays, road conditions, weather conditions, or an Amber alert.  It would constitute a violation of Federal regulations, which clearly state that these signs are “not an advertising medium.”

I oppose your August 27 request that U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters waive rules preventing advertising on California’s alert signs.  I intend to work to assure that the Federal Highway Administration enforces its regulations.

Sincerely,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator 

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