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Campaign Sign Policy Enforced on State Highways

WAPT

With Election Day near, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reminds candidates and their supporters that campaign signs are not allowed on state highway rights of way.

“Campaign signs should be displayed only on privately-owned property,” Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock said. “We want to support and encourage the democratic process, but not at the expense of our motorists’ safety.”

Kentucky law and Transportation Cabinet policy prohibit the placement of non-official signs of any type – for campaigns, yard sales or other advertising – on state highway rights of way, utility poles, fences and guardrails or on road signs because they can create a traffic hazard.

Depending on size and construction, illegally placed signs are a distraction and vision blocker to drivers, especially at busy intersections.

Such signs also can disrupt or endanger right-of-way operations such as mowing, ditch cleaning and litter removal, and can pose a direct safety hazard to motorists who run off the roadway – particularly when installed with large wooden or metal stakes.

Right of way boundaries can vary by highway and location but, in general, all signage should be behind sidewalks. In areas without sidewalks, all signs should be behind the ditch line and outside areas commonly mowed or maintained by highway crews.

On four-lane highways with controlled access or limited access, no signs should be placed on the highway side of the fence line or on the fence itself.

As a safeguard, Kentucky Department of Highways crews remove signs that directly hinder the traveling safety of the public and other illegal signing as scheduling allows. Owners of signs may retrieve them for a period of time after removal by visiting the state maintenance facility within their county.

Story provided by Kentucky Department of Transportation

Paul Hitchcock earned his Masters in Communications from Morehead State University and Bachelors in Radio-TV/Psychology from Georgetown College. A veteran broadcaster for more than 40 years and an avid fan of blues, jazz and American roots music. Hitchcock has been with WMKY since 1986 and was named General Manager in 2003. He currently hosts "Muddy Bottom Blues" (Fri., 8pm-9pm), "Nothin' But The Blues" (Sat., 8pm-12am), "Sunday Night Jazz Showcase" and "Live From The Jazz Lounge" (Sun., 8pm-9pm) and "The Golden Age of Radio" (Sun., 2pm-3pm). He also serves as producer for "A Time For Tales" and "The Reader's Notebook."
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