Sign of the Times
A few days ago, my car radio blasted out a number that I had not heard in a long time. The name was “Signs”, performed by a Canadian Rock Group in the early 1970s known as Five Man Electrical Band.? The lead vocalist and Canadian Music Hall of Fame member Les Emmerson, was inspired to write the lyrics after taking a road trip on Route 66 in California. The trip became less enjoyable to him due to the number of billboards obscuring the beautiful scenery and blocking out nature.
The rebel lyrics prophetically observed the omnipresent influence of printed signs in our communities: “Sign, sign, everywhere a sign blockin’ out the scenery; Breakin’ my mind; Do this; Don’t do that; Can’t you read the sign?”. The signs Stop, No Trespassing, Quiet – Hospital Zone, No Smoking, No Entry, No Swimming are part of the daily routine for most of us.
We need signs for a variety of reasons. Driving along highways, navigating our way through office and commercial towers, visiting government agencies, all point to the need for printed signs to give us direction and guidance. Regulatory and warnings signs rely on authority and urgency to obtain compliance. ?Printed traffic signs offer clear instructions and warnings which reduce the likelihood of accidents (except for Keanu Reaves in the 1994 film Speed, where he had to keep the bus at 50 mph to avoid a bomb detonation). In workplaces, safety signs ensure safety and health regulations protect employees from harm.
Printed signs connect businesses to consumers through eye-catching designs on billboards; this strengthens brand recognition for consumers and an invitation to buy. Unlike government agencies, commercial signs appeal to emotions and desires – they use aspirational imagery, like smiling faces and idyllic landscapes to bond with their products.
I am beginning to think that we are nearing the point of overreach with signs. An overabundance of printed and electronic commercial billboards have the potential to distract drivers, besides adding to the visual clutter while competing for our attention.
?Not to be outdone, individuals have also got into the act of trying to grab a slice of public attention. ?Vanity plates on personal use cars continue to increase. ICU2, CUL8R, IML8 are a few examples of motorists trying to get the knowing nod and smile from the driver behind. And apparently, some enterprising individuals have openly embraced the saying “sky’s the limit” by sky-writing messages to a receptive audience. Homeowners can be quite creative in their signage as well. Beyond the usual “No Solicitation” signs on the front doors, I have seen a few Emmy Award winners. The best I saw in my door knocking trips was “I shoot every 3rd agent; the 2nd just left”.
While I recognize the benefits of signs to promote public health and safety, we should be aware of the potential distractions. If, as a driver you are being cautioned by the message “If you can read this sign, you are too close”, that is the point. Happy travels!