Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has expressed his dissatisfaction with the politicization of America's highways, calling for an end to their use as platforms for social justice messaging.
As reported by Gateway Pundit, Secretary Duffy issued a directive to every governor in the country this week, instructing them to cleanse their roads, intersections, and crosswalks of "political messages or artwork." He specifically pointed out rainbow-themed crosswalks as a primary concern.
"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 stated. He emphasized the importance of road safety, noting, "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.
Duffy's directive marks the launch of the Safe Arterials for Everyone through Reliable Operations and Distraction-Reducing Strategies (SAFE ROADS) initiative. This nationwide campaign aims to reduce visual distractions on the road, which Duffy argues are not only a nuisance but a danger to motorists.
The urgency behind Duffy's initiative is underscored by the alarming statistics: an estimated 39,345 traffic deaths occurred in 2024, a figure that Duffy deems "unacceptable." He has given states a 60-day deadline to identify their most hazardous arterial segments and intersections, and until the end of FY 2026 to rectify them. These corrections, as outlined in the letter, include the removal of politically charged artwork that confuses both drivers and autonomous vehicle sensors.
The letter to the governors reads in part: "Safety is the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)s top priority. While I am encouraged that the estimates of traffic fatalities for 2024 continue a downward trend, by decreasing 3.8 percent from 2023, we still have more work to do to improve safety and mobility on our Nations highways. In 2024, the estimated number was a stunning 39,345. This is unacceptable."
The SAFE ROADS initiative is a partnership between the DOT and state and local governments, with the goal of making roadways easier to navigate for all users, including pedestrians, vehicle operators, and automated vehicles. The initiative aims to focus on non-freeway arterials, which are responsible for more than half of roadway fatalities in America.
The letter continues, "We are getting back to the basics using data to guide decision-making and prioritize investments that reduce distraction while improving mobility and safety for all road users."
The Transportation Secretary's directive is a clear call to action for states to prioritize road safety over political messaging. It's a reminder that roads are primarily for transportation, not for promoting social or political agendas. The SAFE ROADS initiative, if successful, will not only make our roads safer but also free them from unnecessary distractions.
In the end, the goal is clear: to ensure that all Americans can navigate our nation's highways safely and efficiently. With the shared objective of moving people and goods safely, the expectation is that every American will be able to reach their destination safely and on time.
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