You're probably all too familiar with advertisement signs that tend to litter Maryland's highways. These signs sometimes read "We Buy Homes" or "Get Out of Debt". What you might not know, is that most of these signs are unauthorized and illegal. Still, they seem to overrun many roads.
Regardless of how you feel about the aesthetic qualities (or lack thereof) with these signs, they cause a significant amount of trouble for State Highway Administration (SHA), the agency tasked with taking care of Maryland's highways. During testimony this week, SHA testified that over $600,000 is spent annually to remove unauthorized signs from State right-of-way. In 2008 alone the agency estimated that it removed 70,000 illegal signs. These signs also impede maitenance progress, like the mowing of roadways. Moreover, SHA believes that unauthorized signs pose a safety hazard, distracting drivers from the task at hand.
But all of this would change with passage of new legislation, Senate Bill 410. Currently, SHA is the only organization authorized to clear signs from State highways. SB 410 delegates power from SHA and shifts it to the county or municipalty where the sign stands. With the passge of the legislation, the local jurisdiction will be able to remove signs from a State highway themselves. Additionally, the bill would assess a $25 fine on any business or person found to be violating the law. The hopeful result of the legisation is a win-win that empowers local jurisdications to keep their highways well-maintained and reduce the litter associated with unauthorized signs.
There was no opposition to the bill. It seems as though all signs point to a postive outcome and cleaner highways for Marylanders.
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