The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has sent a letter to officials in the town of Ames, Iowa, known for its rainbow-colored LGBTQ pride flag crosswalks, and requested they be painted over because they didn't comply with federal traffic control standards. The letter claims the crosswalks are hazards to public safety, according to CNN.
"Crosswalk art has a potential to compromise pedestrian and motorist safety by interfering with, detracting from, or obscuring official traffic control devices. The art can also encourage road users, especially bicycles and pedestrians, to directly participate in the design, loiter in the street, or give reason to not vacate the street in an expedient or predictable manner," the FHWA said in a letter sent to Ames City Manager Steve Schainker dated September 5.
"It also creates confusion for motorists, pedestrians, and other jurisdictions who may see these markings and install similar crosswalk treatments in their cities. Allowing a non-compliant pavement marking to remain in place presents a liability concern for the City of Ames in the event of a pedestrian/vehicle or vehicle/vehicle collision," the letter continued.