An electronic road sign that wasn't hacked but should be

File this one under: "How stupid do they think we are?"

Allow me an inconsequential rant: I'm driving to work on Rte. 495, a major north-south highway west of Boston, when I encounter this electronic road sign:

First message: "Construction ahead."

OK, thanks for the heads up.

Second message: "Be prepared to stop."

Now this irritates me on at least two levels.

First, a state-issued driver's license should convey an implied acknowledgment that the recipient is sharp enough to understand that construction work on a highway may at times call upon passersby to bring their vehicles to a halt. Goes without saying maybe?

Second and even more puzzling: Is there any time during the standard operation of a motor vehicle when one need not be prepared to stop?

Just asking.

• electronic road signs