America’s streets and sidewalks have become the latest battleground in the culture wars. For years now, city officials nationwide have been busy painting crosswalks in rainbow colors instead of focusing on what really matters – making sure people can cross the street safely.
But these colorful distractions aren’t just about pretty sidewalks. They represent a deeper problem: government officials using public infrastructure to make political statements rather than focusing on their basic job of keeping citizens safe.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is putting an end to this dangerous trend. In a bold move this week, Duffy sent letters to every governor in America urging them to remove political messages from crosswalks, including the rainbow-colored ones that have popped up in cities across the country.
From ‘The Daily Signal’:
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Tuesday sent a letter to every governor in America, as well as the mayor of Washington, D.C., and the governor of Puerto Rico, urging them to remove political messages from crosswalks, including crosswalks painted in rainbow colors that recognize the LGBTQ community.
“Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork,” Duffy told The Daily Signal. “Today I am calling on governors in every state to ensure that roadways, intersections, and crosswalks are kept free of distractions.”
This isn’t about politics – it’s about protecting lives. Duffy pointed out that America saw an estimated 39,345 traffic deaths in 2024. Even more alarming, over half of these deaths happened at intersections – the very places where cities have been installing colorful crosswalks.
To address this danger, the Trump administration has launched the SAFE ROADS plan. This common-sense initiative focuses on making non-freeway roads safer, especially at dangerous intersections. Governors now have 60 days to identify problem areas that need fixing by the end of 2026.
Rainbow Roads Spreading Nationwide
Rainbow crosswalks have spread like wildfire across America. San Francisco, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Seattle, Chicago, New York City, Washington D.C., and Nashville all have them. Even smaller cities like West Hollywood (which installed the first one in 2012), Key West, Huntington, and Ames have joined the trend.
These colorful crossings might look nice on Instagram, but they directly contradict federal safety guidelines. The 2023 Manual on Uniform Traffic Devices clearly states: “Crosswalk markings shall be white.” This isn’t a suggestion – it’s a safety requirement based on visibility and driver recognition.
Safety Experts Have Been Warning Us
The Federal Highway Administration has been sounding the alarm about colorful crosswalks for years. Back in 2013, they warned that “crosswalk art would degrade the contrast of the white transverse lines against the composition of the pavement beneath it.”
Even more concerning, the FHWA concluded that these artistic crosswalks “could be a contributing factor to a false sense of security for both motorists and pedestrians.” In other words, while they might look pretty, they could be deadly.
Duffy’s action is a return to common sense governance. Instead of using our streets for political statements, the Trump administration is focusing on their actual purpose – getting people where they need to go safely.
This policy isn’t targeting any group. It’s about making our roads safer for everyone – kids walking to school, elderly people crossing to the pharmacy, and every other American who just wants to get across the street without being hit by a car.
When politics and safety collide, safety should always win. Thankfully, under President Trump, that’s exactly what’s happening on America’s crosswalks.
Key Takeaways
- Transportation Secretary Duffy is removing rainbow crosswalks nationwide to reduce the 39,345 traffic deaths in 2024.
- Federal safety guidelines require white crosswalk markings for maximum visibility and driver recognition.
- Experts warn that colorful crosswalks create a “false sense of security” for pedestrians and motorists.
- The Trump administration is prioritizing citizen safety over political messaging on public infrastructure.
Sources: Daily Wire
