Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is urging governors across the country to eliminate rainbow-colored and politically themed crosswalks, arguing that such displays compromise public safety.
In a Tuesday letter sent to every U.S. governor, the mayor of Washington, D.C., and the governor of Puerto Rico, Duffy called for the removal of crosswalks painted in colors associated with political causes — most notably, the LGBTQ rainbow pattern — and pushed for a return to standardized markings.
“Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork,” Duffy said. “Governors need to ensure their intersections and roadways are distraction-free and focused solely on protecting pedestrians and drivers.”
Duffy’s comments come as part of the administration’s new “SAFE ROADS” initiative — short for Safe Arterials for Everyone through Reliable Operations and Distraction-Reducing Strategies. The plan prioritizes safety on non-freeway arterials, with a focus on dangerous intersections and consistent, high-contrast road markings.
The push follows troubling data: more than 39,000 traffic fatalities occurred in 2024, with a majority taking place at intersections. Duffy gave state leaders 60 days to identify high-risk areas and submit plans to restore them to compliance by the end of fiscal year 2026.
Rainbow-painted crosswalks have become increasingly common in cities such as New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington D.C., and even smaller towns like Key West and West Hollywood. Activists have promoted the crosswalks as symbols of inclusivity — but federal regulations tell a different story.
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), issued by the Federal Highway Administration, mandates that crosswalks “shall be white” and conform to either “transverse line” or “high-visibility” formats to ensure maximum contrast against the road.
In past rulings, the FHWA expressed concerns that crosswalk art, including rainbow designs, “degrades the contrast” of the legal markings and could create a false sense of security. A 2011 directive stated flatly that “crosswalk art is contrary to the goal of increased safety” and could potentially contribute to pedestrian risk.
Duffy echoed those concerns, saying flashy designs serve as distractions and muddy the legal clarity of traffic signals. “We can’t allow political messages to override common-sense safety,” he said. “Federal roads are not canvases. They are lifelines for millions of Americans who deserve to be protected.”
The administration’s push is already drawing sharp reactions from progressive city leaders and advocacy groups. But Duffy insists the mission is simple: protect lives, remove distractions, and return road policy to its foundational goal — safety first.