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Election Sign Policy <br />Page 3 of 3 <br /> <br />News Release <br />May 10, 2004 <br /> <br />Mn/DOT warns of hazards created by sig~ns, objects placed in highway fights of way <br /> <br />ST. PAUL, Mitre. -- It's the season for garage sales, open houses and farm auctions, but the Minnesota <br />Department of Transportation warns that placing sig-ns promoting these and other events placed in <br />highway fights of way is illegal and creates potential hazards. <br /> <br />"With the warm weather months now beginning, there is a sig-nificant increase of advertising sig-ns and <br />items for sale placed along the state's roadways to attract the attention of passing motorists.," said Mark <br />Wikelius, state maintenance engineer. "Illegally placed sig-ns and objects within fights of way can restrict <br />motorists' visibility, especially at intersections, and divert their attention from driving." <br /> <br />Highway fights-of-way include driving lanes, shoulders, ditches, clear zones and sight comers at <br />intersections. <br /> <br />Placing si=m~s or objects in the rights-of-way is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum $700 fine and/or <br />90 days in jail. State law also specifies that sig-ns and other items cannot be placed on private property <br />outside the right-of-way limits but in close proximity to a roadxvay without consent from the landowner. <br /> <br />Mn/DOT maintenance staff will remove signs located within fights-of-way without notice. <br /> <br />If there are large objects which cannot be easily removed, M2~©OT may issue a violation notice requiring <br />the object's removal. Items commonly found in rio~hts-of-way include cars and other vehicles, boats and <br />motors, campers and travel trailers, produce stands and large bales of hay. <br /> <br />These objects can create a hazard if struck by a passing vehicle. They can also collect debris, block proper <br />drainage and restrict maintenance work such as mowing and spraying. <br /> <br />For information about roadway regtilations, fight-of-way boundaries or where to find removed sig-ns, <br />contact your Mn/DOT district office (.,,vxxmv.dot.state.rrm. us/in±brmation/districts.html.), or Craig Wilkins <br />in St. Paul, 651/296-0838 or by e-mail: crait.wilkins~.dot.state.nm.us. <br /> <br /> <br />