Campaign Signs Clutter Some District Neighborhoods

WASHINGTON -- With elections just weeks away, campaign signs are popping up everywhere.

In the District, political signs cover traffic light poles. On some corners, dozens of signs vie for the attention of drivers, News4's Chris Gordon reported.

"I tend to find them very distracting," said motorist Elise Buck. My husband and I were traveling somewhere one day -- going and doing some shopping -- and he thought that perhaps there should be a law against it."

The signs on the median on Piney Branch Road in Northwest prompted one viewer to e-mail News4.

"One particular candidate had his supporters, I assume it was, place numerous signs through the median on Piney Branch, and it was just repetitively about a dozen signs filling up one block," said Wayne Cyvrtnik.

According to Mary Myers of the D.C. Department of Public Works, there can be no more than three signs on either side of the street, they can't be on the median or on tree boxes.

In Prince George's County, Md., Lynn Schwesig said that politicians and their supporters campaigning by the side of the road are also a problem.

"They have signs, and a large number of signs," Schwesig said. "The signs are back from the highway so they're not really blocking the road, but it's actually the people. And they're very distracting because you see them. Your eyes are directed over to them. I just felt it was a very stupid thing to do."

Political signs can be removed when they distract motorists, but people campaigning can't be removed because it's their right to freedom of speech.

If you see campaign signs that are cluttering up your neighborhood or pose a potential safety hazard, News4 wants to hear about it. E-mail us by clicking here.