Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to all U.S. governors, as well as the mayor of Washington, D.C., and the governor of Puerto Rico, demanding that they take action to remove political messages found on crosswalks and other roads.
“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,” Duffy said in a statement. “Far too many Americans die each year to traffic fatalities to take our eye off the ball. USDOT stands ready to help communities across the country make their roads safer and easier to navigate.”
The letter focuses on the Safe Arterials for Everyone through Reliable Operations and Distraction-Reducing Strategies (SAFE ROADS) initiative to “help improve safety and mobility, eliminate distractions, and keep people and goods moving throughout the United States.”
“The SAFE ROADS national initiative will focus on the non-freeway arterials within your State, including safety and operation at intersections and along segments, consistent and recognizable traffic control devices including crosswalk and intersection markings, and orderly use of the right‑of‑way that is kept free from distractions,” the letter states. “Distractions” on roadways likely include LGBT crosswalks.
Duffy tasked the governors with working with metropolitan planning entities to “use available safety data, analysis, and assessments to develop a list of arterial segments, including intersections, with the highest safety, operational, or compliance concerns that will be addressed by the end of Fiscal Year 2026.”
States that feature LGBT crosswalks include California, Florida, Washington, New York, Chicago, and others.
