Photo: Redvers
Several years ago, and shortly before reading a Douglas Adams essay in which he mentioned the very same oddity, I saw for the first time the highway sign outside of Albuquerque that warned (or was it philosophizing?), “Gusty Winds May Exist.”
It’s an accidentally beautiful sign that can be found in at least three places in New Mexico. Despite its poetry, I do feel warned to put down my cellphone, soy extra vanilla latte, and electric shaver and put both hands on the wheel.
Recently, I’ve started seeing highway signs that purport to be warning signs but which actually have the effect of sending my mind off in confusing loops and starting my head shaking side to side in an unconscious statement of “no!”
Here’s the text of the diamond-shaped, orange sign:
Guardrail Damage Ahead
OK, so what am I supposed to be warned to do? Not crash into the area where the guardrail is broken? Or “yes, driver, if you’re about to crash, please pick this already damaged spot so we don’t have to make two separate repairs?”
Some things, like road signs and test results and department meetings, should be actionable. If there’s nothing I can really do in response to them, please take them away!
Interesting… I have always noticed that “gusty winds may exist” sign as well. It is one of the worst sentences I’ve ever seen, and especially so for a warning sign. Now that you mention it, I can see there are further philosophical interpretations that could send a mind wandering. But typically I find myself rewriting it in my head for several miles each time I encounter it. But that’s what I do by nature–I take what’s presented, dissect it, and figure out how to remake it. Usually it’s in the context of product design or a musical number that needs tweaking, but other catalysts sometimes put me in action. Plus, all eloquence aside, I must also admit that the most apropos location for the sign in question is on my back. 🙂