Signs, Signs, Everywhere There’s Signs – Part 3, Outdated, Poorly Placed and Ignored Signs

In my ongoing ‘lil rant about the amount of signs littering the landscape, this post is about signs that need to be modernized or placed somewhere else.

This is a sign that is supposed to suggest that there might be a fire truck entering the road. Now, this may be what fire trucks look like in tropical climates, but in Michigan, our truck cabs are enclosed, like the one at the right. So let’s northern-ice the truck sign, and while we’re at it, wouldn’t it be good to add the words FIRE or FIRE on the body of the truck, perhaps in yellow or white letters?

The top sign shown here discourages strangers from entering the area. But the second sign is a sign that could be placed in every neighborhood in America. It’s also lacking a comma after the word SLOW. Without a comma after SLOW–or without the word “GO” in front of SLOW–the sign is confusing. Because clearly the child is running and therefore not slow.

And why does this neighborhood need a sign, when there are kids in my neighborhood and we have no sign? Are the children in the neighborhood this sign is in slower than the kids near me?

Here’s another use of the “SLOW Children at Play” sign with the kid running, and under it, a Duck Crossing sign. It’s unclear how fast or slow ducks can run, but I suspect they’re just as SLOW as a running child.

Then there are signs that I don’t understand, like this mess of signs. The RR Crossing part I get, but who’s EXEMPT? And from what?

And I’m so glad they have a no P-ing sign by the trail, because I might have parked right on top of the railroad crossing. I’m not even sure what the blue and white sign says, but it can’t be as important as being EXEMPT.

I bravely determined I was exempt, crossed the tracks and went on my merry way.

My friend, Brenda, noticed this unfortunate set of signs. We wondered what people do while waiting fo the bus if they can’t stop or stand. Are they running around in circles? Jogging in place?

I like this set of signs, because criminals not only are made aware they are being watched in this neighborhood, they know they can’t bring a truck to load up the stuff they steal. I also like the fact that the Neighborhood Watch sign has a phone number people have to remember, instead of just 911.

I wonder how many criminals chuckle when they see signs like these.

This is a nifty combination of signs. People are welcome to the church…unless they come by truck. And if they do come by truck, it’s a one-way trip–to hell perhaps?–because under the sign it says “No Outlet.”

I also don’t like signs that don’t apply to the people who maybe had a hand in installing them. Clearly, this place is not closed to vehicle traffic, just most vehicles.

I’ve also noted that simple signs are ignored…even when they’re clear, actionable, and super easy to do.

I’ll end with this one, which is a simple sign placed in a state government building.

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