DOT Sec Sean Duffy Bans Rainbow Crosswalks as Safety Hazard
Who knew? Painted crosswalks are a safety hazard.
This is why Donald Trump's Department of Transportation is demanding states remove any 'politicalized' painting on the roads.
The Daily Mail reports that DOT Secretary Sean Duffy "sent a letter to governors in all 50 states and Puerto Rico as well as Washington, D.C.'s mayor telling them to get rid of rainbow crosswalks — among other potentially distracting messaging."
"Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork," Duffy said in a statement on the directive. "Today I am calling on governors in every state to ensure that roadways, intersections, and crosswalks are kept free of distractions.
"Far too many Americans die each year to traffic fatalities to take our eye off the ball."
Rainbow crosswalks were created to celebrate Pride and to send a pro-LGBTQ+ message.
But Duffy sees danger in them and thinks they could potentially contribute to the on-road death toll. He cites that 39,345 people died on American roads in 2024. It marked a 3.8% drop since the previous year, but is still "unacceptable."
He did not offer any data that linked these traffic deaths to painted crosswalks.
He details in the letter his hope that local and state leaders will comply with the Federal Highway Administration's SAFE ROADS initiative.
To comply would require removing any rainbow-fitted crosswalks, Duffy adds.
"The SAFE ROADS national initiative will focus on the non-freeway arterials within your state, including safety and operation at intersections and along segments, consistent and recognizable traffic control devices including crosswalk and intersection markings, and orderly use of the right-of-way that is kept free from distractions," his letter states.
"These routes are where more than half of roadway fatalities in America occur and deserve enhanced attention."
There are rainbow-clad crosswalks across the country, and it's unclear if governors — especially in Democratic states — plan to comply with the letter's request to repaint.
In the letter, Duffy asks that within 60 days of receipt each state's department of transportation hand over a list of areas that need to be addressed by the end of the 2026 fiscal year.