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Some New Jersey Towns Complain Of Having Too Many Road Signs

FAIR HAVEN, N.J. -- (CBSNewYork) -- What's the deal with all the road signs?

It's a questions being asked in one Monmouth County town, and in other parts of New Jersey, as residents say the confusion is making their heads spin, reports CBS 2's Scott Rapoport.

Heading through Fair Haven, drivers are faced with a seemingly senseless series of signs.

"There's just too many signs," Fair Haven Mayor Michael Halfacre said. "How many do you need?"

WCBS 880's Sean Adams In Monmouth County

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Halfacre said that's the problem in his sleepy, historic borough – a cacophony of clutter, with road signs on top of road signs.

"After a while, the signs lose their effect. They are no longer signs warning people of the cross walk. They are signs that people tune out," Halfacre told WCBS 880 reporter Sean Adams. " It doesn't slow people down. It doesn't enhance safety. It's redundant and it's unsightly."

Halfacre said there are even signs to alert you that other signs are coming up.

"We have signs telling you 'here comes a sign,'" he said. "[There's] a sign saying there's a crosswalk coming, and we have a sign saying 'here's the crosswalk.'"

The mayor said his town isn't alone.

"It's all over the state," he said.

Towns across New Jersey are reaching out to the state's Department of Transportation to help curb the clutter. The DOT told CBS 2 that it's working on it.

"We work to reduce redundant or outdated signs," the DOT said.

The mayor said that in New Haven, many of the signs come under the regulation of Monmouth County. The county told CBS 2 it's working with Mayor Halfacre to eliminate unnecessary signs in the area.

Do you think the road signs are ineffective? Let us know below...

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