TALLAHASSEE — State law prohibits political signs on state rights of way, according to a Florida Department of Transportation media release, which stated a reminder was necessary.
No signs may be erected, used, operated or maintained on the right of way of any highway on the State Highway System, according to Florida Statutes.
FDOT staff will remove political signs placed on state rights of way and place them at one of the department’s operations centers, according to the release.
“FDOT personnel will make reasonable attempts to preserve campaign signs that are taken down and to provide campaign offices an opportunity to claim the signs,” the release stated.
Right of way includes the roadway surface, concrete or grassy median, intersections, entrance and exit ramps, and a strip of land, usually bordering either side of the road, which is reserved for shoulders, drainage ditches, sidewalks, traffic signs/signals, fencing, electrical traffic signal control boxes, utility lines and future road expansion.
Improperly located signs on state right of way pose a traffic safety hazard that can distract motorists or block their view, endanger the safety of individuals who are erecting signs along busy highways and present obstacles to crews who maintain roadways, FDOT said.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: State of Florida to remove campaign signs on rights of way