On June 30, 2025, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) sent out a letter ordering that all painted crosswalks across the state of Florida be removed. Florida cities, including Tallahassee, have until Sept. 4 to abide at the risk of losing federal and state transportation funding.
“Non-standard surface markings, signage and signals that do not directly contribute to traffic safety or control can lead to distractions or misunderstandings, jeopardizing both driver and pedestrian safety. Furthermore, uniform and consistent application of pavement surface markings is critical for the overall effectiveness of automated vehicle operation, as automated vehicle technologies rely heavily on consistent traffic control devices,” the FDOT said in a memo on June 30.
Many of the crosswalks targeted for removal included depictions of images related to the LGBTQ+ community and the Black Lives Matter movement. One rainbow crosswalk in Miami Beach was ordered to be removed…