Transportation Secretary Duffy Sends Letter to States Banning Rainbow Crosswalks on Roadways

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is telling governors to strip political symbols like rainbow crosswalks from public roads, calling them dangerous distractions. The move is part of a new federal push to make America’s roadways safer and less politicized.

Key Facts:

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to all U.S. governors, D.C.’s mayor, and Puerto Rico’s governor urging the removal of political messaging from roads.
Duffy stated roads should be focused on safety, not “political messages or artwork.”
The action is part of the Department of Transportation’s SAFE ROADS initiative.
Rainbow crosswalks, used in cities like San Francisco and Philadelphia, are among the items flagged for removal.
Duffy requested states submit lists of high-risk road segments by the end of Fiscal Year 2026.

The Rest of The Story:

Duffy’s directive comes as part of the SAFE ROADS initiative, a federal program aimed at reducing roadway deaths on arterial streets and intersections.

In his letter, he emphasized, “Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork.”

Citing 39,345 road deaths last year—a figure he still considers too high despite a 3.8% decline—Duffy called for clear, distraction-free traffic markings.

The Department of Transportation is asking states to identify their most dangerous road segments and intersections, with plans to address these areas by the end of FY 2026.

The letter gained traction after The Daily Signal published it.

One case mentioned was a Rhode Island man arrested for leaving tire marks on a rainbow-painted crosswalk.

Duffy’s guidance may support similar challenges to politically charged road decor going forward.

Taxpayers expect their dollars to fund safe streets, not rainbow crosswalks.

Political banners have no place on public roads. I’m reminding recipients of @USDOT roadway funding that it’s limited to features advancing safety, and nothing else. It’s that simple. https://t.co/hA5FBsVFXO

— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) July 1, 2025

Commentary:

Duffy’s move is not just about paint on pavement—it’s about reclaiming public space for public safety.

Roads aren’t billboards for ideology; they’re for traffic, safety, and the rule of law.

Cities turning intersections into social statements have crossed the line.

From rainbow crosswalks in Hollywood to others in Atlanta and Milwaukee, these road decorations may win social media likes, but they distract drivers and muddy traffic cues.

No one needs a reminder of a cause when crossing the street. They need clarity.

Political symbols—left, right, or otherwise—have no business on government-funded streets, especially if they’re putting lives at risk.

Duffy is doing what previous administrations refused to do: stand up to symbolic activism that endangers public safety.

His tone is professional, his reasoning sound—roads are dangerous enough without the extra chaos.

The SAFE ROADS initiative is a smart step.

It prioritizes function over fanfare and sends a clear message: public infrastructure isn’t your protest platform.

Naturally, blue-state mayors and activists will howl. They’ve grown accustomed to hijacking public resources to promote their agendas.

Expect lawsuits, media outrage, and cries of “intolerance.”

But let’s be clear: removing these distractions is not an attack on identity. It’s an affirmation of neutrality and safety.

When a crosswalk looks like a parade float, it’s no longer serving its purpose.

The hope is that this transition happens smoothly. But if loud protests follow, it’ll only prove how entrenched these activists are in politicizing even the pavement.

Duffy should hold the line.