Drive-by fonts

The New York Times reports that after using the same font on highway signs for over 50 years, America’s Federal Highway Administration has approved a new font, ClearviewHwy. Clearview is replacing Highway Gothic which has been in use since Eisenhower decided to expand the Interstate System in 1956. [HT via]

Why does this matter, you ask?

Well, first of all the leading killer in the U.S. is traffic accidents. Second, we perhaps may not realize how what we see and how we see it. That is the reason why I must wear my glasses for my eye exam when I renew my driver’s license. Without being able to see adequately, I well, can’t see. And the purpose of road signs is to help you navigate efficiently, and more importantly, safely.

Another reason (although unimportant) is that I am a fontaholic. I enjoy finding and using a good font. I remember back in the late 90s I would use the font “Impact” here and there. Then all of a sudden that font hit full impact and became way overused, and is pretty much the only font used in direct mailings (read: awfully designed). In its beginning it had potential.

A third reason is that Oregon has one of the best roadway signage systems in the country. Thought it’s not a fair comparison, try driving around California, navigating your way merely by signage and you will see what I mean. Arizona and Hawaii seem to be poorly signed to me as well. Oregon is great in the signage category (and numerous others). I don’t think this new ClearviewHwy font will hit our good state too much, but you can bet I’ll be looking for it when it does.