Rainbow Crosswalks Targeted in Federal ‘SAFE ROADS’ Push to Cut Road Deaths

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy has called on governors across the country to remove politically charged and artistic displays from roads and intersections, including rainbow-painted crosswalks.

The announcement came in a formal letter sent at the end of June, coinciding with the conclusion of Pride Month.

NEW: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to all 50 Governors demanding the state remove any political painting on the roads including rainbow crosswalks.

“Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork.” – @SecDuffy pic.twitter.com/pjVrZOrNr8

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In a letter first reported by The Daily Signal, Duffy urged state officials to keep public roadways clear of distractions that could compromise safety.

“Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork,” Duffy said.

“Today I am calling on governors in every state to ensure that roadways, intersections, and crosswalks are kept free of distractions.”

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The letter was distributed to the governors of all 50 states, the mayor of Washington, D.C., and the governor of Puerto Rico.

In it, Duffy referenced the newly launched federal initiative: Safe Arterials for Everyone through Reliable Operations and Distraction-Reducing Strategies, or SAFE ROADS.

According to Duffy, the initiative will focus on non-freeway arterial roadways where a significant number of traffic accidents occur.

“Far too many Americans die each year to traffic fatalities to take our eye off the ball,” he stated.

The Department of Transportation “stands ready to help communities across the country make their roads safer and easier to navigate,” he added.

The SAFE ROADS effort prioritizes the improvement of safety and operations along arterial road segments, particularly intersections.

The letter stated, “These routes are where more than half of roadway fatalities in America occur and deserve enhanced attention.”

The initiative also emphasizes the need for consistent and recognizable traffic control devices, such as crosswalk and intersection markings, and an orderly use of public right-of-way, which includes prohibiting visual distractions.

Among those distractions are political or artistic street paintings, which Duffy says detract from the intended clarity of traffic signage and markings.

One of the more high-profile types of street artwork cited in media coverage includes rainbow-painted crosswalks, which have appeared in numerous cities such as Washington, D.C., New York City, and San Francisco.

The Federal Highway Administration issued guidance in 2011 indicating that art displays inside crosswalks are not in line with national safety standards.

The agency stated at the time that such displays were “contrary to the goal of increased safety and most likely could be a contributing factor to a false sense of security for both motorists and pedestrians.”

Duffy’s letter asks state transportation officials to identify and report within 60 days the road segments and intersections with the highest safety, operational, or compliance concerns.

These areas are expected to be addressed by the end of Fiscal Year 2026 in collaboration with their respective state-level transportation departments.

“With our shared goals of moving people and goods safely and efficiently, we can make the expectation that all Americans make it home safely and on-time a reality,” Duffy concluded.

The SAFE ROADS program is expected to be a major priority for the Department of Transportation as part of its broader national effort to reduce roadway fatalities and standardize traffic markings across jurisdictions.

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