Okay, I'll be first in line to acknowledge that our traffic sign-makers and placers are TRYING to be helpful. Usually they actually are helpful. The "Target Enforcement Area" in Akron, Ohio, for example, is helpful. In my book, any sign that tips me off that I'm more likely to get a speeding ticket in some specific locale is useful. The Belchertown, Massachusetts admonition that motorcyclists should use "extreme caution" seems worthwhile (though I'm not sure what constitutes "extreme" caution and I wish I knew why Belchertown officials were so concerned). I'll even tolerate the occasional query regarding the state of my turn signals (Lance Corners, Pennsylvania).

Other times, though, the signs are not completely successful. Take, for instance, the geniuses in Altamont, North Carolina who erected one of those orange construction signs announcing the existence of a work zone for the "next .02 miles". By my calculation, that's a work zone that's 105.6 feet in length, which at forty-five miles per hour is the distance you travel in about 2.1 seconds. Information like that isn't terribly helpful. In New Jersey, many of the highways are demarcated with mile markers erected every one-tenth of a mile. I can envision instances in which it would be useful for you to know that you were at Point 48 and 1/10th, but by and large I find ten times as many mile markers to be a blight, not worth the small added advantage of being able to measure your location to the nearest tenth of a mile. And what's with that stop sign in Newton, Illinois? I stopped and stared at that thing for several minutes, trying to figure our what the heck those little compartments on the 't', 'o', and 'p' are for. I still haven't figured it out. And I'm not so sure about imposing a two hour limit on emergencies, as do the good people in LaPorte, Indiana.

But you know what? I'm glad. They're fun to look for and photograph and bring to your attention. Enjoy.