It’s time for political candidates to clean up their act.
Every election cycle campaign signs sprout up along roadways and the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), Clarksdale and Coahoma County officials remind candidates and supporters it is illegal to place signs in the right-of-way.
MDOT suggest all signs be taken down at least a week after the election unless a candidate is in a runoff or headed to the general election.
“A clear right-of-way helps maintain the safety of the traveling public and highway workers,” MDOT said in a press release. “Illegally placed signs could limit visibility.”
“Signs with steel or wooden posts pose potential hazards which may cause harm to roadside workers, damage to roadside equipment and become projectiles if hit by mowers,” said MDOT. “Signs illegally placed and hit by a vehicle can see the candidate libel for damages.”
MDOT also pointed out cleaning up campaign signs contribute to the state’s $3.2 million litter problem, spoiling Mississippi’s natural beauty.
The width of highway right-of-way varies by location and can extend over 300 feet from the centerline of driving lanes. The right-of-way is typically larger at intersections where larger sight lines are needed.
MDOT workers will remove any signs illegally placed in highway right-of-way. The signs will be kept for two weeks at a local MDOT maintenance facility before being discarded. Candidates can retrieve the signs from MDOT without any penalty.
Candidates and supporters can contact their local MDOT maintenance office for more information about rights-of-way along particular stretches of highway. To review laws and regulations governing signs on state highways, see Section 63-3-317 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 Annotated.
For information about right-of-way distances in specific areas along a state highway, call the 601-359-7074.
