The directive follows a similar order from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Following an order from the U.S. Department of Transportation calling for the removal of rainbow-painted crosswalks and other “distracting” road markings, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered the state’s DOT to ensure the removal of these and other non-standard road markings that, according to the governor, promote political ideologies.
According to an article by Lucio Vasquez for KERA News, “The directive effectively bans symbols, flags or other designs that convey ‘social, political, or ideological messages’ on Texas roadways.” Governor Abbott threatened to withhold state transportation funding from jurisdictions that don’t comply within 30 days.
In a letter, TxDOT said that non-standard markings “may cause confusion, reduce roadway uniformity, and impair the effectiveness of both human and automated vehicle navigation.” Officials in Houston have said they will comply with the order, while San Antonio officials questioned whether the state has authority over local road markings.
FULL STORY: Gov. Abbott threatens to withhold funding over rainbow crosswalks, other ‘political’ road markings
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