Boulder residents were met with a jarring sight this week as a series of profane traffic signs popped up on city streets, conveying messages far removed from the usual stoic directives of municipal signage. Crews from the City of Boulder's transportation department were subsequently tasked with the removal of these unapproved signs, which bluntly admonished drivers with phrases like "Put the phone down (expletive)," and "Don't kill any kids today." The Boulder Police Department admitted to a lack of leads on who was responsible for placing the signs, as reported by 9News.
According to The Denver Post, explicit messages included "Get off your damn phone," and "Slow down (expletive)," among others. These unauthorized signs were reported to have appeared in at least four locations around Boulder. Boulder Police spokeswoman Dionne Waugh detailed the signs, some using foul language to stress the importance of focused driving and adherence to speed limits, clearly reflecting a person's frustration with distracted driving in a not-so-subtle manner.
The context for this guerilla signage campaign may be rooted in the city's recent push for safer streets. Boulder's effort to cut down on traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries through its 2023-2027 Vision Zero Action Plan, includes measures like the implementation of a citywide default speed limit of 20 mph. The urgency of this plan is underscored by statistics from the city of Boulder's crash data, which reveals three fatal crashes in 2023 and an additional 55 resulting in severe injuries. Among these incidents, a woman was tragically killed on Broadway near Raleigh Road early in the morning on Sept. 27. However, it's been clarified by KDVR that none of the fatal crashes occurred near the sites where the contentious signs were placed.
While the signs have been removed, the investigation continues as Boulder police look into the matter as a case of criminal tampering. Authorities are calling for help from anyone in the community who might have information on the origin of these signs. Police have opened up a line for tips, referencing case 24-12182, according to KDVR. In the meantime, the strange episode leaves city officials and residents alike pondering the lengths to which individuals will go to make a statement and the dialogues that may arise when the traditional avenues for voicing concerns go unheeded.
