One tenth mile marker signs on highways - what's the point?

[Josef]

I don't know why, but I've been noticing lately 1/10 mile marker signs on highways (specifically 202 and 100 in PA, but I'm sure they are in DE too), and I have to wonder, why are they there? They seem to be a waste of metal and are kind of an eyesore to see every tenth of a mile.

What are they there for? The only thing I could come up with was if you break down you can give your location to a tenth of a mile. But wouldn't markers every mile (rather than tenth of a mile) do a similar thing but save a heck of a lot of metal?

[Joe Walther]

I don't know why, but I've been noticing lately 1/10 mile marker signs on highways (specifically 202 and 100 in PA, but I'm sure they are in DE too), and I have to wonder, why are they there? They seem to be a waste of metal and are kind of an eyesore to see every tenth of a mile.

What are they there for? The only thing I could come up with was if you break down you can give your location to a tenth of a mile. But wouldn't markers every mile (rather than tenth of a mile) do a similar thing but save a heck of a lot of metal?

In most instances, the practice is the result of the Highway Safety Act of 1966 to identify high-accident locations. The system, in one form or another, has been around since the Roman Empire.

With modern technology, the practice is probably in need of a modern upgrade. Click here for more detail.

[Panama Girl]

Justification for the next year's highway budget might also be a factor.

I know that in some instances, not only does the surplus revert to the Treasury, some States/countries/corporations/NGOs will cut back the next year's budget by that much, leaving a shortfall in case of major unexpected expenses.

Some years are just more demanding money-wise than others. The principle seems to be "if you have it, you have to spend it, and if you don't use it, you lose it."

[hockey]

Emergency responders use them. I just used a mile marker to indicate to 911 exactly where an extending metal ladder fell off of a pickup truck traveling at 60 mph, it slid across the lane, flipped and landed exactly between my car and a Perdue 18 wheeler. I was helpless, watching it and couldn't change lanes. Scary.

It was on Route 1 southbound. I'm not familiar with the area so the mile marker was the only way I could report it so they could get it removed quickly.

(I am still amazed that I was decapitated.... and the pickup truck never slowed down)

[terri]

(I am still amazed that I was decapitated.... and the pickup truck never slowed down)

I'm amazed that you can still type and post after being decapitated!!

I think I would've had a heart attack. I always felt extremely paranoid following trucks with 'stuff' all over the back, imagining the exact scenario you described.

[Panama Girl]

Emergency responders use them. I just used a mile marker to indicate to 911 exactly where an extending metal ladder fell off of a pickup truck traveling at 60 mph, it slid across the lane, flipped and landed exactly between my car and a Perdue 18 wheeler. I was helpless, watching it and couldn't change lanes. Scary.

It was on Route 1 southbound. I'm not familiar with the area so the mile marker was the only way I could report it so they could get it removed quickly.

(I am still amazed that I was decapitated.... and the pickup truck never slowed down)

I'm amazed that you can still type and post after being decapitated!!

I think I would've had a heart attack. I always felt extremely paranoid following trucks with 'stuff' all over the back, imagining the exact scenario you described.

Ditto, on both accounts. I try to stay as far away from them as possible.

[Joe Walther]

Ditto, on both accounts. I try to stay as far away from them as possible.

I can't BELIEVE this! Here's Hockey... still typing and posting, even AFTER being DECAPITATED; and you're tipsy-toeing well behind trucks hauling stuff because you're leery. And you have the audacity to try convincing us that you slice your own apples... and with a sharp knife to boot!

[Panama Girl]

I can't BELIEVE this! Here's Hockey... still typing and posting, even AFTER being DECAPITATED; and you're tipsy-toeing well behind trucks hauling stuff because you're leery. And you have the audacity to try convincing us that you slice your own apples... and with a sharp knife to boot!

I can't risk being decapitated just now! My hair hasn't grown out enough to donate it yet!