I've noticed recently that a lot of the street signs in my town are being replaced... on MUCH taller posts than what were there previously. For instance, the new sign on my street offers both a "watch for children" sign and a speed limit sign. Standing beside the post, the lower bolt in the lower sign is just above eye level. The stop new signs a couple of blocks away are so tall one can't even reach the bottom of the sign.

I'm guessing this is an anti-vandalism maneuver? Or maybe making them taller makes them easier to see from a distance? I'm not sure, but I'm as curious as can be.

I almost wonder, with them being SO high now, if people driving "normal cars" (not trucks, vans, SUVs) are overlooking them (underlooking?). There. That's my random curiosity item for the day. What are you guys and gals seeing?

I have noticed that the stop signs and other signage in the School Zones have been enhanced. They are using an enhanced yellow and then red with the posts the same color. The reflective quality of the paint makes them quite visible.

I think you are just getting shorter.
No, I haven't noticed the signs in my town getting taller.

According to the internet.. , at least in some cities its so people dont hit their heads walking near the sign and it keeps the graffiti artists away.

I don't know if the signs are taller, but I have a hard time reading the names of streets at night--the signs are so high that my headlights don't illiminate them adequately.

flashguy

It's so the nitwits with their head in their phone can pass under them without running into them.

quote:

Originally posted by Sailor1911:
It's so the nitwits with their head in their phone can pass under them without running into them.

I think they should be allowed to run into them. Maybe even make them lower.

flashguy

I'm not opposed...

Maybe they’re just not sinking them as deep.

Signs that are too short can snap off when struck by a moving vehicle, fly edge on through the windshield and decapitate the occupants. Ouch! Tall signs snap off and go over the roof of the car.

Signs got taller quite a few years ago, so I'm not sure what the current rationale is. More pickup trucks and SUV's with higher ground clearance?

From VDOT's MUTCD , Manual of Traffic Control Devices, Federal guidelines.

Standard:
04 The minimum height, measured vertically from the bottom of the sign to the elevation
of the near edge of the pavement, of signs installed at the side of the road in rural areas shall be 5 feet (see Figure 2A-2(VA) in this Supplement).
05 The minimum height, measured vertically from the bottom of the sign to the top of the curb, or in the absence of curb, measured vertically from the bottom of the sign to the elevation of the near edge of the traveled way, of signs installed at the side of the road in business, commercial, or residential areas where parking or pedestrian movements are likely to occur, or where the view of the sign might be obstructed, shall be 7 feet (see Figure 2A-2(VA) in this Supplement).

Maybe the local crews are fudging.
The MUTCD is the guideline for all agencies dealing with signs in Va.

Global warming, so the rescue boats can see where they are. (-;

Thank you for that, Sunset_Va. They're darn sure meeting their minimums!
Maybe, as P210 implied, the old signs were sunk a bit deeper.

Gotta leave room to attach the Trump 2020 signs!

^^^^


Good point. I guess the neighborhood can put a lot more yard sale and lost cat signs up, too.

Haven't noticed a change in height but one I have noticed is there are street signs popping up that are surrounded with flashing lights.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:
Thank you for that, Sunset_Va. They're darn sure meeting their minimums!
Maybe, as P210 implied, the old signs were sunk a bit deeper.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Collins:
Haven't noticed a change in height but one I have noticed is there are street signs popping up that are surrounded with flashing lights.

You are welcome. 33 years of using that MUTCD.

It's because people are so absorbed now by everything but driving.

its a perspective issue,
yes the top of the signs seem closer to the clouds in the sky .

but actually the sky is falling ,
bringing the clouds down to the sign top.