Political yard signs missing? Ask VDOT, they moved them

If you notice that the campaign sign for the candidate of your choice has gone missing from your driveway entrance, most likely the Virginia Department of Transportation has removed it.

Signs of all types, including political signs, are prohibited in the state right of way. Generally, the right of way is typically the entire roadway, including sidewalks, medians, ditches, and the area between utility lines or fences lining the outside edges of state roads.

Several signs were removed in the Blacksburg and Country Club Road areas on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, following a citizen complaint because of a large sign that had blown into the road, according to VDOT spokesman Jason Bond. While they were in the vicinity, VDOT workers removed all other signs from the state right of way, he said. VDOT workers are instructed to remove illegal signs from the state right of way.

There is a $100 civil fine for each sign that has been illegally placed, but Bond said that generally the local VDOT manager does not implement the fine. The state notifies candidates about sign placement prior to each election, he said. 
Signs should be placed away from the state right of way and secured so that they do not blow into the right of way, he added.
                                                      Anita Firebaugh, Special to The Botetourt Bee