WWW.YOUARENOTPAYINGATTENTIONTOTHEROADIFYOUCANREADTHIS.COM

For over a year, HUDseen has been highlighting the unnecessary dangers on our city streets and sidewalks that DPW Superintendent Robert Perry and others can't seem to understand, care about or pay attention to.  Today's might take the cake, if only because it is so obviously wrong. 

A city official allowed a business located outside of Hudson to string a banner above our busiest street with text so small that it is difficult, if not impossible, to be read by passing drivers.  Go figure.

"I'm really sorry that I rear ended your nice new car and it needs to be towed away, sir.  I was having trouble reading that purple banner way up there and I guess I took my eyes off the road for too long and didn't notice that you were stopped to make a turn.  Here's my insurance information.  I'm so lucky my car doesn't need to be towed.  It turns out I hate art and have no need for any of the information on the banner.  Funny, right?  Have a great day, and again, I'm really, really sorry for ruining your day.  Can I give you a lift somewhere?"

Apparently, in the City of Hudson in the year 2024, anyone can install a sign 20 feet above a road with the tiniest of text for drivers to attempt to read, with most, if not everyone, unable to read a word.  What we have on Fairview is like a two-in-one driving and vision test:  On three, I want you to look up and read out loud as much of the text at the bottom of the overhead banner we are approaching while keeping your speed at 35 miles per hour.  Do not take your eyes off of the banner until you have passed it.  There is no credit for reading THE CAMPUS.  Okay?  One, two, three, look up, read the words out loud.  

This is just stupid, reckless, careless and unconscionable, further evidence that City Hall is not at all interested in safe streets or safe drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.  It never friggin' ends.  Of course, none of the rules regarding signs in our city code have anything to do with the legibility of posted signs, including banners.

HUDseen has put in a request for a copy of the permit issued for this banner that has no place in the view of drivers.  I presume that a $50 sign permit was issued by Craig Haigh to the business and that DPW installed the banner above Fairview along a block that regularly has vehicle "accidents."  This would include "accidents" which are ultimately caused by the city itself because no one at City Hall seems to know what they are doing to prevent them.  When man-made conditions create a crash, it's no "accident."  It had to happen.