With political signs popping up like a field of dandelions next to local roadways, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is reminding enthusiastic Alaskans that the use of public right of ways for political advertising is strictly prohibited.
In 1998, Alaskans overwhelmingly voted to keep the state free from from outdoor advertising.
Alaska statutes and regulations address unauthorized signs both within and along the State’s public right of ways. The ban includes parked vehicles displaying political signs.
The law prohibits political signs on private or commercial property adjacent to the State’s public right of way located within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right of way or erected or maintained with the purpose of their message being read from the main traveled way.
The signs create safety hazards by obstructing views, distracting drivers, and creating obstacles in collisions. These signs may be removed by DOT crews without notification, and it can get expensive fast.
The law says that the property owner or the person placing or maintaining the unauthorized political sign is subject to removal expenses of at least $50 per sign; fines of at least $50, and as much as $5,000 if convicted of a misdemeanor; and associated costs.
Items impounded by DOT&PF may be held in storage for a period of up to 30 days. Items in storage are destroyed after 30 days.
Owners may claim the signs by paying all fees and costs associated with removal. DOT&PF is not responsible for damage to the signs during removal, transport, or storage.
Find out if a sign is properly located by searching it’s location on the State Right-of-Way Map page or in the Federal Aid Highways: Interstate, Primary, and Secondary Highways of Alaska. For more information, please review the Department’s webpage.
Story as aired on KSRM News:
No comments:
Post a Comment