Should You Report Downed, Missing, or Hidden Street Signs?

Yes! A missing or hidden street sign is more than an inconvenience—it can be a safety hazard.

In the cartoons, an incorrect or missing direction sign can be hilarious. The unsuspecting traveler follows an arrow, drives straight into a barn, and somehow comes out the other side covered in chickens. In real life, drivers depend on accurate road signs to know where to stop, when to yield, how fast to travel, and where they are going.

Why Reporting a Damaged Sign Matters

Traffic signs are designed to communicate important information quickly. A missing STOP sign could contribute to a serious crash. A knocked-down ONE WAY, DO NOT ENTER, SPEED LIMIT, or warning sign can leave drivers without information they need to make safe decisions.

Even street-name and directional signs are important. They help drivers find their destinations and can also help police, firefighters, ambulance crews, delivery drivers, and others locate an address quickly.

Signs don't have to be completely missing to cause problems. Consider reporting a sign if it is:

Knocked down, missing, or hanging loose.

Turned so that it faces the wrong direction.

Badly bent, damaged, faded, or difficult to read.

Covered by vegetation or another obstruction.

Damaged by a crash, storm, vandalism, or other event.

Blocking the roadway, sidewalk, or bicycle lane.

How Can You Report a Problem With a Sign?

The agency responsible for the sign usually depends on where the road is located and who maintains it. A sign on a city street may be handled by the city's public works or transportation department, while a sign on a county road may be the responsibility of the county. Signs along state highways are generally maintained by the state's transportation agency. Many cities, counties, and state transportation departments have an online form, service-request system, mobile app, or telephone number for reporting damaged traffic signs.

When making a report, provide as much useful information as you safely can. This might include the street or highway name, nearest intersection, direction of travel, type of sign, and a brief description of the problem. A photo can also be helpful when the reporting system allows one. Don't stand in traffic to get the perfect shot. Don’t be unsafe in an effort to promote safety!

A Small Report Can Make a Big Difference

Road crews can't be everywhere at once, so they may not know that a sign has disappeared until someone reports it. Taking a few minutes to report a missing or damaged sign can help get an important traffic-control device repaired or replaced sooner.

At NHSA, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers.  Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state!