States must adopt the 11th Edition of the National MUTCD as their legal State standard for traffic control devices on or before January 18, 2026.
The legal standard for traffic guidance is often overlooked. Some responsible managers have no knowledge of the standard or plan for compliance until an incident occurs. KRS Partners LLC offers solutions.
The Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is the legal standard recorded in the Code of Federal Regulation.
In addition to safety, the FHWA suggests that “tort liability in lawsuits is another possible penalty for non-compliance”.
FAQ – General Questions on the MUTCD
What is the legal status of the MUTCD?
What Federal Register contains the new standards?
The Institute of Transportation Engineers offers this for legal reference: MUTCD Resources for Practitioners & Attorneys
The National Academies Press published research on the Effect of MUTCD on Tort Liability of Government Transportation Agencies.
Moreover, the legal standard for public roads commonly applies to all roads open to the public, including privately owned parking lots and campuses.
Does the MUTCD apply to all roads in the US?
Does the MUTCD apply to private parking lots?
According to the National Safety Council (NSC) ,the National Center for Health Statistics estimates 9,076 pedestrians died in traffic or non-traffic incidents in 2023; including driveways, parking lots, or other private property.
In 2023 44,762 deaths occurred, 5.1 Million medically consulted injuries occurred, costing $513.8 billion in total. The NSC has specifically identified Parking Lot Safety as a point of emphasis. The Insurance claims data from AAA found that 29% of all 2016 vehicle collisions took place in parking lots.
From The NSC, 81% of pedestrian accidents occurred from dusk to dawn with only 4% difference in lighted vs non lighted conditions. The legal requirement of sign and marking visibility is explained here by FHWANighttime Visibility and Minimum Sign Retroreflectivity Requirements . The science of night time visibility is explained here by 3M: What is retroreflectivity & why is it important?