The Wyoming Department of Transportation issued a reminder that advertising signs cannot be placed in the state rights-of-way.

“With the upcoming elections, we’ve seen an increase in the number of signs our maintenance crews are having to remove from the right-of-way fence or from the right-of-way itself,” said WYDOT area maintenance supervisor Brian Pittman of Basin. “Wyoming law and WYDOT policy prohibit placement of signs in those areas, so when our maintenance crews come through an area, they pick them up and take them to the area maintenance office.”

Whoever owns the sign has two weeks to claim the sign, and then WYDOT disposes of the sign if it is not claimed, he said.

Under Wyoming statute, outdoor advertising must meet certain conditions for placement. Fines and even jail time can be inflicted on those who don’t comply with the law.

“This applies to political candidates, real estate representatives and residents advertising garage sales. Posting these signs along roadways is illegal within the right-of-way of rural highways and interstates,” Pittman said.

Signs can become “a real problem for motorists,” both by restricting line of sight and creating a potential collision hazard, he continued.

“We understand signs are placed to help businesses, but rights-of-way must stay clear of signs for safety reasons,” Pittman said.

Business people and citizens who believe their signs may have been removed by WYDOT crews may contact the nearest WYDOT maintenance office to make arrangements to pick up the signs.

“Our concern is always for the safety of the traveling public,” Pittman said.

For more information, visit www.dot.state.wy.us.