No video

He secretly changed this freeway sign, helped millions of drivers

NEW VIDEO! What happened to America's colossal off-road land trains? • True Story of the US A...
Back in 2001, tired of government inaction, an artist in Los Angeles crafted and installed a perfect fake sign to fix a confusing highway interchange, helping millions of drivers before state officials caught on.
There are two things to know about the 110 freeway. It’s one of the oldest in the country, meaning it wasn’t made for today’s world. And the way other highways were built up around it in the decades since created an incredibly busy and confusing interchange in downtown LA.
One example is the connection to I-5. Despite its importance-I-5 runs from Mexico to Canada along the entire west coast-getting on it from the 110 meant spotting an abrupt single lane tucked on the left side at the end of a tunnel. The signage didn’t give nearly enough warning, and in the era before GPS, people always missed the exit.
One of those drivers was an artist named Richard Ankrom. Eventually, he decided to make his own sign for I-5 that met state and federal standards. In broad daylight, he installed his perfect fake on an existing sign two miles ahead of the exit.
It took months for state officials to catch on-but impressed with his work, they left it in place, eventually immortalizing his work when the whole sign had to be replaced.
See the short documentary Richard made about the project here → • Guerrilla Public Servi...
Produced by → / joeyrassool
Hosted by → / kylecheromcha
The Drive is the chronicle of car culture. We write stories you actually want to read. → www.thedrive.com/
FOLLOW US!
Instagram → / thedrive
Facebook → / thedrive
TikTok → / thedrive_official
X → x.com/thedrive
Threads → www.threads.net/@thedrive
WORK WITH US → youtube@thedrive.com

Пікірлер: 6 500

  • @notsparks
    @notsparks25 күн бұрын

    In 2001, a friend and I had gotten so tired of a massive pot hole in Seattle that we went and got some vests and bags of asphalt and fixed it ourselves. We didn't live near it, but hung out down there almost daily and hated driving over it. People in the neighborhood asked if we were from the city, and we said no. People clapped, and one brought us iced tea. A city bus came by as we were finishing and was so happy he drove over it, backed up, and drove over it several times to pack it in. I drove by it earlier today for work, and our patch still holds.

  • @harleyb.birdwhisperer

    @harleyb.birdwhisperer

    25 күн бұрын

    You’re giving me an idea - I have a few ‘pet’ divots.

  • @sarcasticnews1195

    @sarcasticnews1195

    25 күн бұрын

    Nice ... 💪💪👍👍

  • @k.chriscaldwell4141

    @k.chriscaldwell4141

    25 күн бұрын

    Your's still holds. Now the cities, on the other hand. City "repairs" last months, if that. In Chicago once they made a big deal after filling in potholes on Lake Shore Drive from the prior TWO winters. The "repairs" lasted less than two months.

  • @stevenjsummerville9743

    @stevenjsummerville9743

    25 күн бұрын

    Hero

  • @stevenjsummerville9743

    @stevenjsummerville9743

    25 күн бұрын

    Also - where in Seattle? I’ll try to visit it next time I find myself in Skedootle

  • @nidodson
    @nidodson25 күн бұрын

    LMFAO, the best part is that he has done it multiple times, and no one, other him, knows how many and where.

  • @drive

    @drive

    25 күн бұрын

    i know, i’m so curious!

  • @jimba6486

    @jimba6486

    25 күн бұрын

    If the sign was helpful, it was probably because it is not from the government.

  • @MadCatMaddie

    @MadCatMaddie

    25 күн бұрын

    So true. ​@@jimba6486

  • @OptiPopulus

    @OptiPopulus

    25 күн бұрын

    @@jimba6486 "I think you all know that I've always felt the nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help." -Ronald Reagan

  • @CountYourblessings0

    @CountYourblessings0

    25 күн бұрын

    @@OptiPopulus That phrase reminds me when one of my nephews went trick or treating as an IRS agent, complete with briefcase.

  • @thisismetoday
    @thisismetoday17 күн бұрын

    Its neither street art nor vandalism, it’s simply doing the job the council is failing at.

  • @pitchforkpeasant6219

    @pitchforkpeasant6219

    9 күн бұрын

    Meanwhile, as the newsom lost billions in tax money🤦

  • @a-dv7uy

    @a-dv7uy

    9 күн бұрын

    Part 2 kzread.info/dash/bejne/qmarw5eelcKbmaw.html

  • @smalltime0

    @smalltime0

    8 күн бұрын

    Actually, the story about it being installed is probably what delayed the replacement. There'd be more than enough places wanting the sign (or part of it, those things are deceptively huge) as part of their museum.

  • @j.dragon651

    @j.dragon651

    6 күн бұрын

    When I get caught at a RR crossing it is like a rolling art gallery passing by, some of it very good.

  • @scottrackley4457

    @scottrackley4457

    2 күн бұрын

    Richard "Gets Shit Done" Ankrom needs to be hired by Caltrans for it's planning committee

  • @origamitom
    @origamitom15 күн бұрын

    I moved to LA near this sign in 2000 and I routinely was in the wrong lane because I wasn't familiar with the directions. I did notice when the sign changed and at the time figured it was a routine correction! Bless this man.

  • @smalltime0

    @smalltime0

    8 күн бұрын

    I went to LA on holiday in 2000 and remember the cab driver saying "you wouldn't believe the accidents before they installed that sign" "It's just a sign" was my response. Like it didn't change the 1 lane turn off, the actual problem, but w/e it worked!

  • @brucelipsitz7545

    @brucelipsitz7545

    6 күн бұрын

    I read about this years ago. Between the time that Ankrum installed the sign and he leaked out that he installed it, apparently local Caltrans "divisions" thought neighbouring divisions had put the "5 North" addition on to that sign.

  • @vjglucky7

    @vjglucky7

    6 күн бұрын

    🎉 That's an excellent addition to the story! 🎉

  • @c6q3a24

    @c6q3a24

    4 күн бұрын

    @@brucelipsitz7545 Divisions of incompetent parasites who didn't fix the problem the first time, and took 8 years to copy the work of the amateur...

  • @a-dv7uy

    @a-dv7uy

    2 күн бұрын

    Part 2 kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5ugpKmQitOcZ6w.html

  • @nymalous3428
    @nymalous342825 күн бұрын

    I wonder how many lives he saved because people weren't diving across multiple lanes to not miss the exit? Richard Ankrom, I salute you.

  • @scottcarr3264

    @scottcarr3264

    25 күн бұрын

    Yes, the Driver Safety angle is Noted.

  • @lynnhauenstein4136

    @lynnhauenstein4136

    25 күн бұрын

    Exactly and more states than Cali have this interstate signage issue.

  • @salm8990

    @salm8990

    25 күн бұрын

    8 years worth of probabilities in this word of entropy. Many MANY lives he saved.

  • @markdaniel8740

    @markdaniel8740

    25 күн бұрын

    It had been like that for a long time. The had to have been hundreds of accidents. Fortunately, the speeds are seldom above 20mph so most were just fender benders.

  • @lauralangham9657

    @lauralangham9657

    25 күн бұрын

    Yes, lives were saved. For sure.

  • @Ojisan642
    @Ojisan64225 күн бұрын

    It’s 100% the fault of CalTrans for being incompetent and not fixing the sign before a citizen did.

  • @mattg8787

    @mattg8787

    25 күн бұрын

    the people need to be like caltrans you have a month to do it or we will and you dont have a say in it

  • @warrenpuckett4203

    @warrenpuckett4203

    25 күн бұрын

    It is a Sacramento tradition.

  • @chemicalhap

    @chemicalhap

    25 күн бұрын

    At the time republican governors slashed budgets so much that Caltrans was underfunded and understaffed....all in the name of lower taxes.

  • @beckinfidelis3916

    @beckinfidelis3916

    25 күн бұрын

    Is ANY THING, any agency or govt office in California "competent"? 😩😩 California literally seems like the state with the most taxes, that spends the most on govt "projects" & bureaucracy, but still gets the least done and people get the least in return! It just gets worse and worse every week, month and year. There is so much corruption and cronyism in California, God help us all, because that attitude and "way" of doing business is spreading across the country and the world. 😢😢😢

  • @Westcork-ul1ww

    @Westcork-ul1ww

    25 күн бұрын

    What was the fault here? The transition is 2.5 miles away. And there was already a sign a quarter mile AFTER this sign. This sign was not needed here. And this artist has been milking this stunt for 30+ years.

  • @blackhannahofficial
    @blackhannahofficial12 күн бұрын

    This man should receive some sort of Community Service Award from the Mayor. He clearly loves his city and the welfare of his neighbors

  • @patrickH206

    @patrickH206

    8 күн бұрын

    Public servant can't give him credits cause that would motivate random people to do random things to "better the community". Some of those random things they do might actually be harmful despite good intention. The reason Richard got away with it was because he did it better than any official contractors could and the quality of his work is well documented.

  • @a-dv7uy

    @a-dv7uy

    5 күн бұрын

    Part 2 kzread.info/dash/bejne/i3x12rlpecKth9I.html

  • @foakjljrwajkltawtrawtwa441

    @foakjljrwajkltawtrawtwa441

    4 күн бұрын

    A key to the city 🫡

  • @doryenmctown4795

    @doryenmctown4795

    12 сағат бұрын

    It’s Cali 😂😂😂 worthless government

  • @starsilverinfinity
    @starsilverinfinity14 күн бұрын

    This is literally the “Fine, I’ll do it myself” lol, what a mad lad

  • @ServiceUnavailable

    @ServiceUnavailable

    2 күн бұрын

    "mad lad", I've just gotta ask. Where in this wide world do you hail from. I'm Aussie and I've noticed Us, Brits & NZ say it a lot

  • @starsilverinfinity

    @starsilverinfinity

    2 күн бұрын

    @@ServiceUnavailable ? why do you ask

  • @ServiceUnavailable

    @ServiceUnavailable

    2 күн бұрын

    @@starsilverinfinity because I've only ever known Brits, Irish, Scots, Aussies & Kiwis say "mad lad"

  • @starsilverinfinity

    @starsilverinfinity

    Күн бұрын

    @@ServiceUnavailable Oh, well where Im from people use it all the time on the internet - im from across the pond and all that

  • @kennetheavey8921
    @kennetheavey892125 күн бұрын

    They should name the exit after him.

  • @dianegreen1937

    @dianegreen1937

    25 күн бұрын

    Great idea!

  • @TairnKA

    @TairnKA

    25 күн бұрын

    Agreed

  • @Wolf88888

    @Wolf88888

    25 күн бұрын

    Agreed. The 'Ankrom Exit' even has a nice ring to it.

  • @alexguzman8205

    @alexguzman8205

    25 күн бұрын

    I say better yet.. Rename the bridge overpass right in front of the highway signage after him

  • @dianegreen1937

    @dianegreen1937

    25 күн бұрын

    @@alexguzman8205 Hummm.

  • @hotflashfoto
    @hotflashfoto26 күн бұрын

    It was refreshing to hear that CalTrans lady officially state that they appreciated his work and want to use it. Nice!

  • @wingsofred9327

    @wingsofred9327

    25 күн бұрын

    I was actually really surprised at that.

  • @michaelmoorrees3585

    @michaelmoorrees3585

    25 күн бұрын

    Good PR "chops". Sometimes they hire people that know how to do their job.

  • @calvinhobbes6118

    @calvinhobbes6118

    25 күн бұрын

    This was the 1990s

  • @wallyman292

    @wallyman292

    25 күн бұрын

    What she basically said in the interview was, "He did it too efficiently, so we'll have to do it all over again but much more inefficiently.".

  • @afterthestorm221

    @afterthestorm221

    25 күн бұрын

    Right! when does the scenario actually result in a win for both sides.

  • @mjg239
    @mjg2399 күн бұрын

    I never knew this and I ACTUALLY SAW THAT EXACT SIGN for years in Downtown L.A. since my grandmother's house was near USC/MLK Jr Blvd. Never thought anything "out of the ordinary" about it because, like you said, it was so convincing. Thanks for sharing this.

  • @brucelipsitz7545

    @brucelipsitz7545

    6 күн бұрын

    USC = University of South Carolina, founded in 1801, almost 50 years before California became a state.

  • @alfredosolari7597
    @alfredosolari759716 күн бұрын

    This man is a good citizen. I wonder how many accidents he has preventeted, and indeed how many lives he has saved.We need people like him.Stay crazy. God bless you sir.

  • @milehighslacker4196

    @milehighslacker4196

    12 күн бұрын

    somewhere, sombody knows the exact numbers!

  • @bcm0022009

    @bcm0022009

    Күн бұрын

    Alfreosolari preventeted is my nre favourite word... thank you sir👍🤗

  • @bcm0022009

    @bcm0022009

    Күн бұрын

    *new

  • @EdGwhaddafook
    @EdGwhaddafook25 күн бұрын

    I HATED that transition. People would suddenly stop in the #2 lane so they could cut into it at the last moment, causing a lot of rear end collisions. That man in a hero.

  • @mizzury54

    @mizzury54

    25 күн бұрын

    @@EdGwhaddafook Becasue they didn't know that the #2 lane veered off too.

  • @slewone4905

    @slewone4905

    25 күн бұрын

    they fixed i, by adding a second lane, but people misuses it.

  • @whodidit99

    @whodidit99

    25 күн бұрын

    @@mizzury54 It didn't for many years, it was just ONE lane.

  • @timber72

    @timber72

    25 күн бұрын

    If you were smart, during traffic, you'd stay out of the left hand lanes, because they were always going slower than the 110 north lanes, and then dart in at the last second. Good times!

  • @timber72

    @timber72

    25 күн бұрын

    @@whodidit99 Yes...they only added the second lane about, what, 10 years ago?

  • @DanBowkley
    @DanBowkley24 күн бұрын

    Signs might be kind of obsolete for the majority of drivers but for truckers they're an absolute necessity. These trucks are over 70 feet long and of course nobody wants to let us over--so we have to be in the lane we need WAY ahead of time, which means we need to know what lane we need way ahead of time. As far as I'm concerned this guy still deserves a trophy and all the free beer he wants.

  • @unitrader403

    @unitrader403

    23 күн бұрын

    well, technically this sign doesnt really help you because that Lane is marked as "NO TRUCKS" ;) :P

  • @tom.m

    @tom.m

    23 күн бұрын

    They're not obsolete. People are just dim and can't be trusted with tools lest they become fully dependent on them. The amount of dangerous driving I see when people almost miss an exit has gone up proportionaly with the adoption of navigation apps. Same with blind spot detection. People in cars with it simply don't check their blind spots anymore. People with backup cameras don't look behind them. Doesn't make a rear window obsolete, no matter what some manufacturers say. We really can't have nice things.

  • @lethaldumpster2699

    @lethaldumpster2699

    23 күн бұрын

    As someone who doesn't know where I'm going, SIGNS ARE EVERYTHING. Sure google maps exists, but looking down isn't always possible or viable. Google tells me my exit verbally, I look up for the sign of that exit, and there we go, I'm off to the correct lane much ahead of time. Especially thanks to exit sign markers that are miles ahead of an exit. Super tactful when riding a motorcycle as well. My headset tells me what road to get on, and everythings good. No wasting battery life with its screen on for hour long rides in the sun at full brightness, or risking having my phone fall off a mount on the freeway.

  • @Daedalus117

    @Daedalus117

    23 күн бұрын

    Speaking as someone who did food delivery full time for years, you really can't exclusively rely on google maps. It's not just big trucks. Especially downtown where all the the big buildings fuck with the gps

  • @dizzymindy6024

    @dizzymindy6024

    23 күн бұрын

    I let trucks merge. I guess I empathize with the drivers. I am not a truck driver, but I travel for work. I am on the road way too much!! Thank you to all the truck drivers out there!! Know that you are appreciated!!

  • @brandonriskey5930
    @brandonriskey593017 күн бұрын

    That sign saved me so many headaches back when I drove “The 110” weekly. Thanks Richard!

  • @jackshenhouse
    @jackshenhouse15 күн бұрын

    After getting caught in this mess once, after that my husband and I stayed hyper-aware of it (and of people who'd panic and do a southern California 'banzai' flying lane change to catch their freeway transition). When my kid came of driving age we even pointed it out to him! Pretty bad when bad signage awareness has to be passed down through the family... Thanks so much to this unsung hero!

  • @Kim_Miller
    @Kim_Miller25 күн бұрын

    Here in Australia some years ago a father was concerned about the speed that cars ran past his kid's school at dropoff and pickup times. There were speed limit signs but they weren't effective. He was some sort of engineer so he designed a flashing speed sign that was powered by a solar panel on top and a backup battery. It operated only around morning and afternoon kid times. A few weeks later and it was removed. So he put up another one and wrote about it to the local newspaper. Once he was identified they tried to charge him with something like defacing public property. However, he got the support of people everywhere as his case was elevated through different courts. The end was that the road and traffic department designed similar fittings and erected them at all school crossings in the state. A community win for the lone instigator.

  • @customer5032

    @customer5032

    25 күн бұрын

    Good for him! 👏👏

  • @ronrothrock7116

    @ronrothrock7116

    25 күн бұрын

    Why does it take one person willing to risk personal injury to do the right thing to get government to do the right thing? It says a lot about how messed up governments are.

  • @BigAl53750

    @BigAl53750

    25 күн бұрын

    Typical Australian bureaucracy! Some idiot who never did a hard day’s work in his or her life and got an ‘important’ job in some local or State government office, getting vasyly overpaid, decides that this guy’s work is not authorised and sets about doing what all bureaucrats do best; making life hard for decent people who actually do productive work. People complain about politicians, but the real enemy is the bureaucrats. Politicians get voted in or out, but Bureaucrats are there forever.

  • @stevej6813

    @stevej6813

    25 күн бұрын

    The Australian government and their agencies absolutely hate it when a member of the public has a smarter idea than they do. Instead of adopting the idea, they take it to court to have it defeated because they didn't think of it.

  • @blackjacktrial

    @blackjacktrial

    25 күн бұрын

    Or they knew something the instigator didn't, that stopped them for now. Maybe the flashing sign was illegal and couldn't be used YET, otherwise there was the risk of court cases (and if someone did crash and claimed to crash because of the distraction of flashing sign, they'd win with the laws as they were) but everyone agreed it was a Good Idea, and had to get it done properly so they could use the sign. Bureaucracy knows one thing the public doesn't - how bad actors can exploit the bureaucracy to do harm. And they HATE that, because they constantly deal with said people looking to exploit the system. If people wouldn't do jerky things to require the bureaucracy to be so bureaucratic, the bureaucracy wouldn't have to be so inertial.

  • @mr.pavone9719
    @mr.pavone971925 күн бұрын

    Funny how they cited safety concerns after he addressed their negligence.

  • @river559

    @river559

    23 күн бұрын

    For real. It was something he was trained to do anyway, and it not being done was far bigger of a safety issue

  • @lerkzor

    @lerkzor

    22 күн бұрын

    Yeah, I noticed that too. Makes me wonder how caltrans would have done it any safer? I mean, he even used the guardrails LOL. Perhaps caltrans would have made it safer by shutting down the freeway to one lane for a week while the workers sat up there and drank their iced frappuccinos LOL 🤣

  • @BluSkyBliss

    @BluSkyBliss

    21 күн бұрын

    Yes. How ironic. Worried about safety for one man instead of safety for all those drivers crossing over multiple lanes of heavy traffic to not miss their exit. 🤦🏻‍♀️

  • @linedanzer4302

    @linedanzer4302

    21 күн бұрын

    Right!? Their spokesperson said that it's not safe and that Caltrans needs to do the work. But when?! They were never going to address that issue.

  • @TheDukeOfWaltham

    @TheDukeOfWaltham

    21 күн бұрын

    It's an attempt to save face, sure, but they can't go around encouraging people to improve signs themselves… Somebody might do a poor job; if the sign is not attached properly, it could fall down one day, causing an accident.

  • @75zackattack75
    @75zackattack756 күн бұрын

    A true hero, missing an exit in a large city with medium traffic can add 20min to your travel time.

  • @frankie8648
    @frankie86486 күн бұрын

    That sign was/is one of the most time saving, mistake avoidance additions in the 50 years I’ve lived in Los Angeles. THANK YOU, RICHARD⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

  • @LavaCreeperPeople

    @LavaCreeperPeople

    2 күн бұрын

    Yup

  • @system2thinker659
    @system2thinker65919 күн бұрын

    The downfall of a society is when everyone says, "It's not my job," and nothing ever gets done.

  • @FoulMouthFishing666

    @FoulMouthFishing666

    18 күн бұрын

    The real downfall comes when the government starts saying that ish lol

  • @trickywoo5165

    @trickywoo5165

    17 күн бұрын

    There’s a term for that

  • @forsupernovae2401

    @forsupernovae2401

    17 күн бұрын

    @@trickywoo5165 wat

  • @joni4867

    @joni4867

    15 күн бұрын

    @@trickywoo5165we shall never know

  • @DaTimmeh

    @DaTimmeh

    15 күн бұрын

    ​@@forsupernovae2401laziness maybe? Idk what else he would mean.

  • @robertshrewsbury5067
    @robertshrewsbury506725 күн бұрын

    Considering the number of car accidents he prevented, his work was well worth the time.

  • @songweaver6076

    @songweaver6076

    25 күн бұрын

    Truth! Lives saved!

  • @kitcoffey7194

    @kitcoffey7194

    24 күн бұрын

    Crashes. Most collisions can be prevented, mostly through drivers paying attention, therefore NOT "accidents." Take responsibility for yourselves and your 2000lb death machine.

  • @chrisseverance4926

    @chrisseverance4926

    23 күн бұрын

    @@kitcoffey7194 Not many 2000 pound death machines any more. The average death machine going under that sign is 4000 pounds.

  • @gekoffvanso9100

    @gekoffvanso9100

    19 күн бұрын

    ​Ну ты же понял о чём речь. @@kitcoffey7194

  • @yobigolemomma

    @yobigolemomma

    16 күн бұрын

    @@kitcoffey7194if they didn’t intend to crash, then it is an “accident” even if it’s due to negligence.

  • @notsosilentmajority1
    @notsosilentmajority117 күн бұрын

    Thankfully, the woman from Caltrans was good about it and no one started pushing the "illegal" aspect of this act. This guy is a sign maker and a true professional. The fact that his sign stayed up for 8 years before being replaced by an "official" sign, tells us that they inspected his work and knew that it was great. If it had been any sort of a safety concern, they would have taken it down and then they would have taken legal action. Great job and great video.

  • @kellybennett9221
    @kellybennett922116 күн бұрын

    I appreciate you doing this story, Richard deserves the recognition, I knew about this when it came out, and I still find myself watching to completion, it is truly beautiful, this has no doubt saved countless people from road rage incidents at the very least

  • @johndeere3486
    @johndeere348625 күн бұрын

    Moved into a “bad” neighborhood and noticed lots of low tree limbs blocking sight lines and making normal activities look suspicious. Went around and trimmed a bunch of low hanging branches. Changed the whole neighborhood, made it way less “scary” feeling because of better sight lines, and three years later families and dog owners are out every night enjoying a walk or the near by park.

  • @user-wg2vw3mz1v

    @user-wg2vw3mz1v

    25 күн бұрын

    Remind me. What do taxes pay for again?

  • @Yvolve

    @Yvolve

    25 күн бұрын

    @@user-wg2vw3mz1v The city employee responsible for putting out the order to trim the trees probably doesn't live in that neighbourhood. How are they supposed to know this is needed if nobody calls it in? Most people probably didn't even realise what made it feel scary/unsafe, so they didn't know what to call in for. OP did a good thing, which the city should've done, no doubt about that but OP was pro-active and decided to do it himself. Nothing wrong with that. Doesn't make paying taxes bullshit, as there are still roads, street signs, police, hospitals and a government.

  • @SEThatered

    @SEThatered

    25 күн бұрын

    My buddy trimmed a tree branch obscuring the road sign, and german authorities dragged him through the court without conviction. Talk about no good deed unpunished.

  • @andreafong9952

    @andreafong9952

    25 күн бұрын

    Are you a man or a woman please? In my opinion men’s voices and subsequent actions have been sorely missed.

  • @AtomicBuffalo

    @AtomicBuffalo

    25 күн бұрын

    @@Yvolve Calm rational perspective has no place in KZread comments ;)

  • @tobybartels8426
    @tobybartels842619 күн бұрын

    As someone who regularly drove on the 110 in the 1990s, I can confirm that this artist is a hero.

  • @justletters7230

    @justletters7230

    18 күн бұрын

    Yes, but my recollection was the 5 North was a single lane (not the two lanes it is now and in this vid) and traffic would back up in the fast lane from last minute people that innocently did not move over or those drivers that simply refuse to get in the line and keep that traffic flowing better and being a significant contributor to the problem in the first place.

  • @tobybartels8426

    @tobybartels8426

    18 күн бұрын

    @@justletters7230 : Yes, that's how I remember it. I think that this video glosses over (or didn't know about) the switch from one lane to two lanes, which explains why they put in a new sign (and why the new sign looks different).

  • @ChibiNyan

    @ChibiNyan

    14 күн бұрын

    Indeed, but we don't want to encourage that kind of behavior. I remember other videos with people building stairs or fixing roads. Imagine : -someone does a sloppy job. It breaks and leads to injuries/property damage. -after a few years, it breaks (maybe not this particular one, but something similar) and injures someone. -there is an accident involving this, and the insurance refuses to pay since it way not made up to code. -it damages or obstruct access to something else, possibly hidden (underground pipes, for example) (again, maybe not this particular one). The solution is not having random resident try to solve a particular problem themselves. It's finding a way have an easy and definitive way to point to a person in charge for that job, and hold them accountable if said job is not done. The problem, is that the administration is really good at protecting itself : by being complex, it becomes impossible to point to a singular person in charge, therefore making any problem everyone's (and, therefore, no one's) responsbility.

  • @DeathnoteBB

    @DeathnoteBB

    13 күн бұрын

    @@ChibiNyanThis guy did not do a sloppy job so encouraging him is kind of the opposite of what you’re whining about. The government would love you though

  • @edmontoncouple1562

    @edmontoncouple1562

    11 күн бұрын

    @@DeathnoteBB hahahaha shame on them for not doing their job and waited long 8yrs to correct it.

  • @SilentKnight43
    @SilentKnight435 күн бұрын

    A perfect example of the adage - easier to apologize afterwards....than ask permission beforehand. Kudos for the initiative, the know-how, and gonads to pull this off.

  • @tigergreg8
    @tigergreg816 күн бұрын

    I love people like this. Gets a great idea, implements the way to do it, and actually does it. What isn’t there to love about it.

  • @robertsmith4830
    @robertsmith483025 күн бұрын

    Fair play to the man, he saw a problem and he fixed it.

  • @whyme7996

    @whyme7996

    25 күн бұрын

    White Man things

  • @KandiKlover

    @KandiKlover

    25 күн бұрын

    Constructive vandalism.

  • @mozzarellamaniac6300

    @mozzarellamaniac6300

    25 күн бұрын

    It's called "doing shit yourself because the government is too lazy to do it"

  • @jeffa5707

    @jeffa5707

    25 күн бұрын

    @@mozzarellamaniac6300Lazy or incompetent?

  • @ki5aok

    @ki5aok

    25 күн бұрын

    @@jeffa5707 When talking about federal and state governments, is there a difference?

  • @pyreneesfarm7818
    @pyreneesfarm781824 күн бұрын

    Retired long haul driver here, THANK YOU for your sign. If you knew how many of us used that sign to guide us safely along the insane CA freeway system, you would smile. some of us haver avoided accidents due to a private citizen doing the good work of the government.

  • @ohokcool

    @ohokcool

    19 күн бұрын

    Seriously, it’s yet another layer of the pile of crap that is the LA area traffic infrastructure, I love when people do something so professionally that no one questions their authority, entire careers are born on initiative like this, people could learn a thing or two from this guy

  • @JannyMaha

    @JannyMaha

    19 күн бұрын

    A government doesn't work. What works is people helping people

  • @chrisofstars

    @chrisofstars

    19 күн бұрын

    ​@@JannyMaha It works, but like in a Temu kind of way 😅

  • @raycath0de

    @raycath0de

    19 күн бұрын

    @@JannyMahathat’s what a government is, the people organising themselves

  • @JannyMaha

    @JannyMaha

    19 күн бұрын

    @@raycath0de so you say..

  • @DocSicnarf
    @DocSicnarf12 күн бұрын

    As someone who was the 110 in the 1990s, I can confirm that this artist is a hero.

  • @ChristopherCricketWallace
    @ChristopherCricketWallace17 күн бұрын

    Can we offer a word of thanks and respect to craftsman that still know how to do "a thing" with their hands? Bravo. Nice work!

  • @raphaeldagamer
    @raphaeldagamer25 күн бұрын

    "Guerrilla Public Servant" is an awesome description.

  • @dbuzman

    @dbuzman

    23 күн бұрын

    A good GPS is worth it :)

  • @AfonsoBucco

    @AfonsoBucco

    23 күн бұрын

    My father did something more dangerous when he was a kid. At the years 1970 in Brazil under a dictatorship, his street used to food every time when it rained. He made a sing wrote: "Proibido pescar", something like "fishing is forbidden" or "do not fish", and planted the sign at the middle of the flooded street. Mad people from mayor came knocking at neighbor house, where his old uncle lived. My father was concerned because all the family was affiliated with the (kinda) opposition party and sometimes police just cared to protect the regime party. The guys asked to my uncle "who did put that sign?". But our uncle was an old badass and just replied "I DON'T WANNA KNOW who put that sign! instead of asking that, you should just go and FIX THE STREET". Later, mayor build better drainage, and we still live at the same street. Sometimes the street floods again but now it's because weather is considerable worse than it used to be.

  • @shamsqasr6173

    @shamsqasr6173

    23 күн бұрын

    I thought he said "gorilla" 😂😂😂

  • @unmesh59

    @unmesh59

    15 күн бұрын

    @@AfonsoBucco Speaking of Brazil reminds me of the movie Brazil where Robert DeNiro plays a guerilla appliance repairman in a future that is a bureaucratic nightmare where very little gets done :-)

  • @AfonsoBucco

    @AfonsoBucco

    15 күн бұрын

    @@unmesh59 "(1985) Brazil" is a great movie. Nothing something very specific about the country itself, but yes it fits in Brazil in far and general perspective. In certain point of view we are the newest power in planet, so it's interesting to see a try to portrait some of our problems in a dystopian future. Another movie about dystopian future is "Rio 2096: A Story of Love and Fury" also called "The Immortal Warrior". This movie talks about many other of our problems.

  • @乂
    @乂24 күн бұрын

    CalTrans should hire this guy! He saw a problem, fixed it himself, and potentially saved countless lives.

  • @luck484

    @luck484

    24 күн бұрын

    Artists are hard to work with in a rigid institutional structure. Still some form of "Thank You" seems appropriate. Now, some years later his ideas seem to have been improved upon with indication on the road surface of which road a vehicle will be on after the next interchange.

  • @GT1Vette

    @GT1Vette

    23 күн бұрын

    Are you from LA? He didn't save countless lives and I've never heard of anyone having a hard time with that exit. It has always had a designated lane for that exit.

  • @codycast

    @codycast

    23 күн бұрын

    “Saved countless lives” lol. Come on now….

  • @GT1Vette

    @GT1Vette

    23 күн бұрын

    @@codycast You can tell this person has never driven that route ever. LOL

  • @scottramsay7439

    @scottramsay7439

    23 күн бұрын

    ​@@GT1VetteIt seems that nobody from CalTrans ever drives on the roads they are responsible for.

  • @gavinthecrafter
    @gavinthecrafter6 күн бұрын

    This guy is the embodiment of “Fine, I’ll do it myself”

  • @StevePringle

    @StevePringle

    2 күн бұрын

    Thanos will be pleased.

  • @jasondashney
    @jasondashney6 күн бұрын

    8:00 THIS is how our officials should be. She praised the guy then basically said "I love it, but this is the real world and we just can't allow anybody to randomly change our signs so we'll have to replace it with an official one and we hope others don't make this a trend". No grandstanding, no being an idiot. She's one of the good ones.

  • @DoveAlexa
    @DoveAlexa24 күн бұрын

    My building manager put up an incorrect sign that caused me a few years worth of lost mail, angry delivery assholes and losing a day at work having to fix a snafu with my bank from lost mail (complicated), so I went and repainted the sign myself. No problems since. This guy is my new found patron saint! Never underestimate your own ability to fix a problem!

  • @deedeem15

    @deedeem15

    23 күн бұрын

    "Never underestimate your own ability to fix a problem". So true, such a good mindset.

  • @troybaxter

    @troybaxter

    23 күн бұрын

    The older I get, the more I realize that most people don't know what they are doing and most things will remain broken until you fix it.

  • @river559

    @river559

    23 күн бұрын

    ​@troybaxter I live by this daily now. Most of the skills I know is quite literally because of the "fine, I'll do it myself" mindset. I'm in the middle of one, having to learn 3D rigging since none of the free models I've found were properly done. Apparently it's one of the things that most people who work in that field hates to do lol

  • @Plethorality

    @Plethorality

    22 күн бұрын

    Charge your landlord a fix it fee.

  • @jarvindriftwood

    @jarvindriftwood

    22 күн бұрын

    A couple of my neighbors went through this. I kept getting their packages and take them over. One lady said she was gonna put a sign up showing the numbers which she did. I said I thought it was the gravel lane, it dips down and back up. They had it paved. I now only get their packages during bad snow. They both have ring doorbells so I just set it and leave.

  • 25 күн бұрын

    He probably saved lives and helped avoid crashes, bravo to him!!

  • @1voluntaryist

    @1voluntaryist

    25 күн бұрын

    YES! The infrastructure would be safer and probably 100 times less expensive if it was privately owned. Coercive govt. is an extremely bad mistake, "The Most Dangerous Superstition".

  • @OuterGalaxyLounge

    @OuterGalaxyLounge

    25 күн бұрын

    @@1voluntaryist Can't trust "big gubment" so hand it over to big corporation we can't trust either. Clown take. You realize all those privatized toll roads and railroads we had in the 19th century were such an expensive burdensome nightmare for travelers that we collectively solved that. But ignore all that for your libertarian bogus agenda.

  • @incognitotorpedo42

    @incognitotorpedo42

    25 күн бұрын

    @@1voluntaryist I guarantee you that it would not be 100 times less expensive. If it was privately owned, it would probably be chintzy and someone would charge you money to use it.

  • @manuelfriend4060

    @manuelfriend4060

    25 күн бұрын

    @@1voluntaryist No. No it would not. Certain things are beneficial to be privately owned. Public infrastructure is not one of them. This has been proven time and time again. Private companies in these cases will cut corners to save money, not institute safety procedures to save money, and it would be a complete clusterfk. And even then, oftentimes government intervention is needed. Just look at auto manufacturers. The government and insurance companies had to force them to improve and implement many safety features we take for granted in our cars. Another example is pipeline construction and factory waste dumping. The government had to force them to improve because they refused to do it on their own.

  • @jemiller226

    @jemiller226

    25 күн бұрын

    @@1voluntaryist Uggggggggggh it's a libertarian. Don't you have a NAMBLA meeting to attend?

  • @Bella-nv2yp
    @Bella-nv2yp8 күн бұрын

    Richard need to be financially compensated for that great job

  • @saxophoneplaya
    @saxophoneplaya5 күн бұрын

    What he did was a public service. I have travel this route thousands of time and seen my share of drivers trying not to miss the off-ramp resulting in near accidents. Thank you for doing this, it was brilliant!

  • @Techridr
    @Techridr24 күн бұрын

    I remember when this happened and I travel that route often. When Caltrans changed the sign, I think it was because they were replacing them all with a reflective, brighter tone of green so they could eliminate the lights, which they did. If they were not changing sign types, his work might still be up there.

  • @doujinflip

    @doujinflip

    23 күн бұрын

    Yes, it was because they refreshed the signs with fully retroflective material that the cars themselves illuminate for its drivers.

  • @Milesco

    @Milesco

    22 күн бұрын

    Yeah, I noticed in the video that the new sign is a brighter shade of green than the old one. Glad that Caltrans didn't remove Ankrom's improvement simply because Caltrans hadn't done it themselves.

  • @deaddropsd1972

    @deaddropsd1972

    22 күн бұрын

    I am glad his work stayed up for eight years

  • @andrewrothman9831

    @andrewrothman9831

    21 күн бұрын

    They should have given him the old one as a memento!

  • @wfchannel4673

    @wfchannel4673

    20 күн бұрын

    @@andrewrothman9831 i remember when the sign was replaced. he went to the junkyard where it was moved to but was unsuccessful locating it.

  • @wfchannel4673
    @wfchannel467320 күн бұрын

    i loved that sign. it always looked a little off, when i learned it was installed by a vandal, i thought it was amazing.

  • @a-dv7uy

    @a-dv7uy

    9 күн бұрын

    Part 2 kzread.info/dash/bejne/qmarw5eelcKbmaw.html

  • @chilledburrito

    @chilledburrito

    8 күн бұрын

    @@a-dv7uyBE GONE BOT!

  • @samueltaylor4989

    @samueltaylor4989

    5 күн бұрын

    Yeah, I’m sure you thought it looked a little “off”, that’s why you never said anything to anyone about it until you learned it was installed by a vandal. 🤣 Give me a freaking break!

  • @wfchannel4673

    @wfchannel4673

    5 күн бұрын

    @@samueltaylor4989 if you saw the sign when it was initially up, it looked off. weirdly off center and had some odd weather damage probably related to the adhesive used to alter the sign.

  • @williamjohnson4417
    @williamjohnson441712 күн бұрын

    Someone needs to do this on I-35 southbound through Austin. The highway splits, and the right two lanes turn into an overpass, and the left two turn into an underpass. The problem is, most people intuitively think the overpass is the way to pass through the city without exiting, but in reality, the overpass is designed for drivers to exit downtown and they have to merge back over to the left and it has created a traffic jam for decades at this point. all you have to do is mark the overpass "exit downtown" or something

  • @Bill_the_curious

    @Bill_the_curious

    6 күн бұрын

    AAA Magazine says Texas is notorious for 'underposting'. So many times if you are no on the main highway (like 35) there is no sign for the street you are about to cross. You turn down the road and drive a few blocks before you can find out what street name it is. They assume everyone is using digital assistants to tel them when to turn. This of course often makes people stare at the phone instead of out the windshield.

  • @robgfmb1814

    @robgfmb1814

    5 күн бұрын

    Is that also the North south Route 59? It ends here north of Winnipeg, Victoria Beach. I hear it's one of the busiest in USA.

  • @williamjohnson4417

    @williamjohnson4417

    4 күн бұрын

    @@robgfmb1814 probably, I-35 is one branch of the so called "Pan-American" highway. so any traffic jams there are compounded and probably ultimately effect Mexico-Canada commerce too.

  • @transitlibrarian
    @transitlibrarian8 күн бұрын

    I remember that story and I've told many people about it in the last 20 years or so... Thanks for making this video!

  • @Drew-zp8dp
    @Drew-zp8dp23 күн бұрын

    So I owe this man for making the path to my grandma safer. Good to know

  • @johncox2284
    @johncox228419 күн бұрын

    We really need this guy in Seattle. The road signs up here were all installed in one evening by a drunk guy on a horse.

  • @rconger24

    @rconger24

    18 күн бұрын

    Lol

  • @tonyromano6220

    @tonyromano6220

    17 күн бұрын

    😂😂😂

  • @tonyromano6220

    @tonyromano6220

    17 күн бұрын

    Was the horse sober?

  • @Firehawk376

    @Firehawk376

    17 күн бұрын

    Unfortunately I think Boston has the greater need.

  • @sethflower2067

    @sethflower2067

    17 күн бұрын

    I agree. Seattle is insane kzread.info/dash/bejne/gap8r8-xh9quYdY.htmlsi=UX9SavR3WNuWTUTP

  • @willbor52
    @willbor52Күн бұрын

    Cheers for this dude, not only for helping the citizens by free will but also for doing it by the book.

  • @eatwhatukiii2532
    @eatwhatukiii253216 күн бұрын

    A true American hero, using his own ingenuity to help other Americans.

  • @ritamariekelley4077
    @ritamariekelley407725 күн бұрын

    I wonder how many lives Ankrum saved with his substantial effort. When there isn't sufficient notice, drivers become confused. That was a great public service.

  • @rokr0001

    @rokr0001

    25 күн бұрын

    Unironically, Dallas could learn from this.

  • @NapoleonDynobyte

    @NapoleonDynobyte

    25 күн бұрын

    @@ritamariekelley4077 he deserves a key to the city

  • @cahough2312

    @cahough2312

    25 күн бұрын

    exactly !

  • @joeysplats3209

    @joeysplats3209

    25 күн бұрын

    Oh for sure... how many videos I've seen where the very confused person STOPS in the freeway, wondering what to do.

  • @Erik_The_Viking
    @Erik_The_Viking26 күн бұрын

    I remember hearing about this story a while ago. He did such a great job that he exceeded every written standard that they used for road signs, which says something about the level of detail he put into it. Caltrans should hire this guy to improve their signage because it's awful.

  • @jblyon2

    @jblyon2

    26 күн бұрын

    CA is the only state I've driven in where so much signage just appears to be...missing. Sure the DOT elsewhere misses things here and there, but in CA basic info is missing for nearly every exit.

  • @Erik_The_Viking

    @Erik_The_Viking

    26 күн бұрын

    @@jblyon2 Yup! The signage is either missing, poorly done in the first place or just neglected.

  • @PhillBogart

    @PhillBogart

    25 күн бұрын

    @@jblyon2 It's not so much the signage in California as it is about the lack of direction - especially with anything other than a conventional offramp. Above that, directional arrows seem to be an afterthought at best compared to the East Coast. So many of the Thruways and other highways give you a good idea of where you will go depending on what lane you choose with giant road signs with a simple map of the upcoming interchange on them. Not so much in California or the other two states on the West Coast.

  • @kenmore01

    @kenmore01

    25 күн бұрын

    Start him at LAX. Come to think about it, signage in California is diseased.

  • @kenmore01

    @kenmore01

    25 күн бұрын

    ​@@jblyon2 Like speed limit signs?

  • @brazil87ful
    @brazil87fulКүн бұрын

    Good example of a good citizen... 👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍🥰

  • @steveeuphrates-river7342
    @steveeuphrates-river73428 күн бұрын

    Governor of California should give the guy a medal for his service

  • @BrownGaijin
    @BrownGaijin25 күн бұрын

    I was lucky enough that when I finally got my license, I had seen my father make that turn a million times before. Thanks dad.

  • @donshively9395
    @donshively939525 күн бұрын

    We live on Taylor St in Vista, CA. They widened the road right up to my front yard and the 35 mph street is now blasted with cars all doing 50! We spent $10,000 putting one of our Australian Shepard dog's hip back together after she got hit by a car. We paid a PEOPLE SURGEON to fix "Checkers" up and she lived to be a ripe old age. Sooooo ... I went to the swap meet and bought a REAL 25 mph speed limit sign and swapped it out for the ignored 35 mph sign. WOW! It changed our lives for the better for a quiet 2 months. Then they took it down. A little school boy was almost killed soon after. They put in speed bumps 10 years later and that finally worked, though it took 34 years to make the road safe.

  • @andreafong9952

    @andreafong9952

    25 күн бұрын

    @@donshively9395 Next time move. The speed limits in California are absurd. Seriously great story.

  • @kinkle_Z

    @kinkle_Z

    24 күн бұрын

    I remember when Vista was just orange groves and avocado fields with one main street and mostly dirt roads. It sure was nice back then... glad I was born early enough to see it.

  • @OneMor3Win

    @OneMor3Win

    24 күн бұрын

    How very irresponsible of you to allow your dog to walk out into the road. But yes, other people are the problem.

  • @apurugganan

    @apurugganan

    24 күн бұрын

    LOL a *real* 25 mph sign at a swap meet -- there has to be a story behind this one, too

  • @kezyka6775

    @kezyka6775

    24 күн бұрын

    @@andreafong9952 You say that as if moving is a trivial thing

  • @RemirezSfesa
    @RemirezSfesa17 күн бұрын

    i can't get enough of your content, it's that good!

  • @fastbreak0822
    @fastbreak08229 күн бұрын

    Well done bro........ One of the beat videos I have ever taken the time to view...... Respect..... One x

  • @laraleepn
    @laraleepn25 күн бұрын

    There is a gentleman in the US northeast that goes by the name Post10 on KZread. He travels around cleaning clogged pipes under roads, or storm drains that are blocked from draining. He films the process. He has been trained to do this and warns others in his videos not to do the same. He has likely saved hundreds of thousands of dollars or more in property damage and road repairs. Occasionally the police have stopped and asked what he is doing, and after he explains they have basically said, "Carry on". Lately he's having to work harder to find problem spots which tells me he's been doing a great job, and perhaps others are also helping as a result. It may also be that the road agencies in the states where he does his cleaning are doing a better job as well, either because they are embarrassed or they are motivated.

  • @pyontasansan

    @pyontasansan

    25 күн бұрын

    Posty is the man! Idiots in excavators ( and Beavers) are his nemesis. He is definitely the Richard Ankrom of Maine. His videos are strangely cathartic as well. Great comment.

  • @RighteousJ

    @RighteousJ

    25 күн бұрын

    That time his exploits raised awareness about a massive structural liability and potential collapse of critical infrastructure pretty much solidified his value to the authorities in his area. At this point, they know better than to obstruct him in any way. The most impressive part about that was that he refused to use his real name when the local news interviewed him, and only identified himself as his channel name. At that point, you knew he was just in it because he genuinely cares - he doesn't want any personal recognition.

  • @greenmachine5487

    @greenmachine5487

    25 күн бұрын

    Post10 is awesome. So satisfying to watch him work.

  • @dieseltu1035

    @dieseltu1035

    25 күн бұрын

    I think he's Collected gold

  • @Syclone0044

    @Syclone0044

    25 күн бұрын

    @@RighteousJWhich time was this?

  • @garyhoward2490
    @garyhoward249025 күн бұрын

    I used to drive that exact route, everyday. The sign has needed that addition for 40 years!!! Bravo!!

  • @ankrom
    @ankrom15 күн бұрын

    thank you for taking the time to make a thorough documentation of this project ❤

  • @patrickmoan4086
    @patrickmoan40865 күн бұрын

    Such a cool story. I had no idea. Thank you for bringing the story to a wider audience. Patrick

  • @apurugganan
    @apurugganan24 күн бұрын

    That's one vigilante, no cape, just a safety vest and a ladder on a California freeway

  • @connell212

    @connell212

    20 күн бұрын

    a super hero of the freewy...does he wear his underpants on the outside?

  • @TheFatNumpty
    @TheFatNumpty25 күн бұрын

    That guy deserves a medal. Ironically his sign was probably much better made than the caltrans one

  • @brodriguez11000

    @brodriguez11000

    25 күн бұрын

    Right, but not every "helpful" persons work or execution is going to be to such high standards.

  • @harleyb.birdwhisperer

    @harleyb.birdwhisperer

    25 күн бұрын

    Well, the competition was inmates of the DOC.

  • @RighteousJ

    @RighteousJ

    25 күн бұрын

    At the very least, it was far less expensive. I recently managed to escape that state. If you spend your entire life there, you never realize the degree to which public works projects in California are little more than vehicles to launder tax money into private pockets.

  • @Cloudwalk9

    @Cloudwalk9

    25 күн бұрын

    Supposedly they did an inspection of the sign he installed and found that it basically met the strict standards set by the state (and the federal government, because it's an Interstate), such as dimensions, visibility, font, and all kinds of nitpicky shit, and let it stay. They replaced it 8 years later because the sign panel itself was ageing, new fonts and misc signage standards over the years, etc, and they replaced the entire thing altogether. But his addition was basically formalized.

  • @alanrogs3990

    @alanrogs3990

    25 күн бұрын

    Who makes the signs for them? Do they have their own sign factory?

  • @yesno8204
    @yesno820415 күн бұрын

    Wow amazing. One of the best stories of 2024. Thank you.

  • @DungarooTV
    @DungarooTV15 күн бұрын

    I never seen a sign-signing act/doc sound as if he's going to haunt the world! LOL

  • @doubleT84
    @doubleT8423 күн бұрын

    We have a wooden pedestrian bridge nearby where some of the wood on the railing was damaged and for several years nothing happened. A small kid or animal could have fit through. There was also a small tree growing out of the planks already. It was a mess. I had two small brass signs engraved "This bridge is cared for by the city ...." and "We grow this tree right here on the bridge to be able to use it's timber for repairs some day." and attached them next to the tree and the damage. It took less than two weeks and everything was repaired and the signs removed.

  • @zstamb

    @zstamb

    18 күн бұрын

    absolutely brilliant 😂

  • @andreaandrea6716

    @andreaandrea6716

    18 күн бұрын

    I love it!

  • @SherriNDallasTX

    @SherriNDallasTX

    18 күн бұрын

    That's so cool! You're awesome!

  • @sparklebutt1119

    @sparklebutt1119

    18 күн бұрын

    Genius! ❤

  • @tiffanyg85455

    @tiffanyg85455

    18 күн бұрын

    Hilarious

  • @weatherchaser1166
    @weatherchaser116625 күн бұрын

    he probably saved lives. I've seen countless vids of wrecks through there where people were unaware of the quick exit and caused a wreck

  • @drive

    @drive

    25 күн бұрын

    totally

  • @ReiDI22
    @ReiDI2215 күн бұрын

    I almost wrecked here a couple of times when I was young. Had no idea this was how it got fixed, thanks for sharing!

  • @Birdylockso
    @Birdylockso8 күн бұрын

    This is one of the coolest stories I've seen in months. Thumbs up!

  • @flyingpanhandle
    @flyingpanhandle26 күн бұрын

    A 9:30 video about a 10 minute documentary? What a time to be alive.

  • @CapablePimento

    @CapablePimento

    26 күн бұрын

    Do you have ANY idea how much time that will save us!? 30 seconds.

  • @drive

    @drive

    26 күн бұрын

    the doc is an art film and not everyone’s cup of tea. we linked it in the description for those who want to check it out

  • @toomanyhobbies2011

    @toomanyhobbies2011

    26 күн бұрын

    Thankfully, we can zip through the video and get to the ten seconds of content.

  • @CapablePimento

    @CapablePimento

    26 күн бұрын

    @@drive im glad you made it, was a good video worth watching. But you have to admit that comment was pretty dang funny. Caught me off guard.

  • @GrowDiMaggio

    @GrowDiMaggio

    25 күн бұрын

    Thank you for this comment... made me chuckle! ✌

  • @TimothyChapman
    @TimothyChapman25 күн бұрын

    You know you've done something good when you are simultaneously both praised and reprimanded in the same breath by officials who didn't do their jobs.

  • @Asdeer101

    @Asdeer101

    23 күн бұрын

    Praise because they are also people, reprimanded because bureaucracy.

  • @bwmcelya
    @bwmcelya10 күн бұрын

    Maybe this will inspire others to fix it if the city can’t/won’t. Thanks for this fun and interesting video.

  • @limdennis813
    @limdennis81310 күн бұрын

    Give this man a "best artist" award for helping the public/society

  • @robertwolfgan
    @robertwolfgan20 күн бұрын

    This is the type of man that deserves free beers for life.

  • @Requiem100500

    @Requiem100500

    18 күн бұрын

    Not the best choice of reward for something related to driving 😅

  • @robertwolfgan

    @robertwolfgan

    18 күн бұрын

    @@Requiem100500 xD as long as he doesn't do that right after of course

  • @yourdreams2440

    @yourdreams2440

    10 күн бұрын

    If I ever see him at a bar, I am ordering him 1 million beers

  • @taurusnltaurusnl4686

    @taurusnltaurusnl4686

    8 күн бұрын

    he doesn't drink alcohol

  • @alxtan1
    @alxtan117 күн бұрын

    Oh my gosh, I remember when it was only one lane to get to the 5 and I would always miss it. I was so happy to see the sign but had no idea that he did it. Thank you Richard!

  • @CalvinHobbs-eb6fj
    @CalvinHobbs-eb6fj14 күн бұрын

    This is so cool!😎 That's why I love California for people that do this kind of stuff for the greater good of all of us.👏

  • @Wichitan
    @Wichitan25 күн бұрын

    Anyone who's ever driven in LA knows what a nightmare it can be. Hats off to Richard!

  • @Baebon6259

    @Baebon6259

    25 күн бұрын

    I live in Monterey. According to google map, it only takes me 4 hrs 45 mins to 5 hours to go see my parents. Wrong...if I don't leave Monterey before 8 AM... then I won't see my parents until 5-6pm. That is freaking crazy. Hit traffics as soon as I go over Tejon Pass. I dread driving through LA.

  • @MikeAhern-199

    @MikeAhern-199

    25 күн бұрын

    I hope he get lots of work from this excellent project. 5 star citizen.

  • @alanrogs3990

    @alanrogs3990

    25 күн бұрын

    I just start driving a let the unseen forces guide me

  • @ljprep6250
    @ljprep625025 күн бұрын

    Finally, a piece of graffiti that not only exquisitely performed, it was properly placed. Kudos, Richard.

  • @ClaireH1418
    @ClaireH141816 күн бұрын

    Thank you for making the world a better place.

  • @spwan10
    @spwan1016 күн бұрын

    3:42 i just love how he changes the angle so we don't get a better idea of what he's talking about

  • @eltrapo6488

    @eltrapo6488

    16 күн бұрын

    I had to rewind that part like 4 times. I thought I was trippin.

  • @Selrahcnedder

    @Selrahcnedder

    15 күн бұрын

    Yea, if he kept the angle you would see the two signs added in 2009 that make the exit much more obvious. Something he failed to mention when he said CalTrans replaced the sign in 2009.

  • @booyakashaboy7250
    @booyakashaboy725021 күн бұрын

    For the amount of potential lives this saved due to possible accidents people have when they cut across lanes to make their exit this guy is a hero and should be recognized as such by the city.

  • @GL-RTA_SOR

    @GL-RTA_SOR

    18 күн бұрын

    I agree with you and another poster I've scrolled past who suggested naming the exit after him. I live in a *much* different place, the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area (and always laughed that the "Cincinnati" airport is in Florence, Ky). One day, the residents on a side street got notices from Rumpke that they would have to drag their garbage cans and recycle bins to a specific intersection, some as far as 3 blocks away, because the road was in such a state of disrepair that they refused to risk a 5th full size garbage truck breaking an axle and the extra cost in towing because the layout of the area meant special equipment had to be brought in to move the broken down vehicle safely. The problem lies in geography and topography. This is an excessively hilly area! And this causes both roads to snake and curve and straight lines drawn very clearly on maps to determine which of the government's pockets pays for which stretch of road to be repaired to get rather blurred when you actually go look at it in person. Basically, it was a 5 way argument and nobody wanted to be the one to pay. Everybody agreed the worked needed to be done right away; they just thought the other entities should pay for it basically. It made the 10 o'clock news when several of the neighbors got together with family members, pooled money and equipment and started paving the road themselves. The cops came by, told them to stop. There were enough of them sick and tired of it that they basically (and very colorfully) told them to go fly a kite because their families were going to have a safe road whether the city liked it or not. The City attorney served a cease and desist order. They kept working till the sun went down. The next morning, after looking bad on TV, the city had a road crew out there to finish the job and it was done in 1 day. As far as I'm aware, not a single politician involved got reelected when their term was up. What a pity 😂

  • @albanana683

    @albanana683

    13 күн бұрын

    Not just lives saved. Relationships as well. "It's left up here", "No honey, there isn't a sign", "It's LEFT dumb ass", "I still don't see... oh....." [screeching tyres], "Didn't I say left. Where you sleeping tonight?".

  • @angeljesso
    @angeljesso25 күн бұрын

    So cool of Willem DaFoe to play such an interesting local theater role

  • @charliewatts6895

    @charliewatts6895

    24 күн бұрын

    Lol. I thought he was Richard Branson as well.

  • @sarahrose9944

    @sarahrose9944

    24 күн бұрын

    I’m waiting for the movie

  • @PTANV-x2g

    @PTANV-x2g

    23 күн бұрын

    @charliewatts6895 Willard DaBranson!

  • @theundergroundlairofthesqu9261

    @theundergroundlairofthesqu9261

    13 күн бұрын

    I heard that after it was done, he retired to a lighthouse.

  • @lavendardust
    @lavendardust10 күн бұрын

    I LOVE THIS. We need more people like him.

  • @miss.g-shun-w
    @miss.g-shun-w3 күн бұрын

    Fun video and your comedic delivery is excellent and so subtle.

  • @Darsithis
    @Darsithis24 күн бұрын

    Regarding road signs - I use them. Signs direct you to the right lanes when GPS is wrong, or guide you around when you don’t use any digital guidance

  • @teresalarson8794

    @teresalarson8794

    23 күн бұрын

    I agree. Good signage is a must ❤

  • @ohokcool

    @ohokcool

    19 күн бұрын

    Yup 👍

  • @DouglasGross6022

    @DouglasGross6022

    19 күн бұрын

    ​@@teresalarson8794Tell that to Ohio.

  • @brucelipsitz7545

    @brucelipsitz7545

    6 күн бұрын

    Or confirm what your GPS is telling you,

  • @nolongerblocked6210
    @nolongerblocked621025 күн бұрын

    CalTrans should've hired this guy!!! He took the job he was doing just as seriously as the state agency would've. Bravo sir, thanks for helping your community

  • @danielweston9188

    @danielweston9188

    25 күн бұрын

    knowing the State I bet he would be cheaper....

  • @bobsmith-wg9fz

    @bobsmith-wg9fz

    25 күн бұрын

    @@danielweston9188 he could drive around in a LIMO and pay himself 1 million a year and still be cheaper than CALTRANS and get more done quicker

  • @SilvaDreams

    @SilvaDreams

    24 күн бұрын

    The fact that you think California's goverment actually gives two flying Fs. I mean he planned it for 2 years and then they said "F it, it got done" and they let it sit for 8 more years so it was well known for over 2 years before hand.

  • @username00009

    @username00009

    24 күн бұрын

    He wouldn’t have the patience to work for them.

  • @obiwankenobi661

    @obiwankenobi661

    24 күн бұрын

    ?? why? so he becomes a useless inefficient tool like them?

  • @DoglinsShadow
    @DoglinsShadow7 күн бұрын

    The man is quite frankly a legend in his own right for doing this. Who the heck takes it upon themselves to personally update a sign? And to put all that work into it too that no one seems to notice it wasn’t mandated by the company! Huge respect! I wish him lots of success!

  • @bcm0022009
    @bcm0022009Күн бұрын

    Very well made and well explained video! I'm from Australia but was hanging on every word!👍😋

  • @pauljs75
    @pauljs7525 күн бұрын

    Bad signage is one of those things that will have people cutting across a half-dozen lanes at the last minute, so in a way doing something about it is actually improving public safety. A lot of civil engineers and transportation planners still seem to miss this kind of thing for some unknown reason though.

  • @joeysplats3209

    @joeysplats3209

    25 күн бұрын

    Nevermind the signage, it's BAD DRIVERS who cut across a half-dozen lanes. The sign, or lack thereof, is just sitting there.

  • @TheAnantaSesa

    @TheAnantaSesa

    24 күн бұрын

    @@joeysplats3209*desparate drivers in a rush and can't afford to miss a turn they didn't know would be so soon. Yeah a bad way to drive but it could be the only act of poor driving behavior some people perpetrate and only bc there was so little warning.

  • @pauljs75

    @pauljs75

    24 күн бұрын

    @@joeysplats3209 It sets up the situation for it to occur more likely, since people panic when there isn't a good opportunity to turn around or go in the right direction for another 20 miles. The people who don't think about this when designing infrastructure are just serving drivers a crap sandwich they don't want, and it's not entirely the fault of situational awareness because no good cues are being provided in the first place.

  • @DoveAlexa

    @DoveAlexa

    24 күн бұрын

    Engineers know what to do, but Managers won't let them do it.

  • @kimfleury

    @kimfleury

    24 күн бұрын

    Often it's bureaucrats at the upper levels in the Capital who aren't familiar with local traffic. Some years ago my little somewhat touristy hometown -- on a river that flows out from an entire Great Lake, and is divided by a small river that flows into the big river -- got State bucks to enhance tourism through roadwork. For some reason the State planners insisted on turning the first (or last) street past (or before) the drawbridge over the little river into a one way coming _from_ the big river tourist attractions. Citizens who had lived in the area for years, if not their whole lives, got so confused! The farmers market is in that area, so there's a lot of traffic on those days, along with all the tourist traffic in summer. Needless to say, there's a drawbridge over the little river because of sailboats and big cruising yachts. So there you are sitting in sweltering summer heat, running the AC, using up fuel, spewing out actual pollution plus carbon, waiting for the line of boats to go past as the drawbridge is raised, all because you missed your chance to turn before you got to the drawbridge. And that's including the lifelong residents who had always taken that turn at the drawbridge. I don't know how long it took for us to get permission to change that design, but it was years, and required more tax dollars to change the signage and street layout again. What a waste! All because of bureaucrats who are unfamiliar with this town.

  • @georgecrothers5618
    @georgecrothers561825 күн бұрын

    There’s this guy in the UK who gets pissed with shop signs that omit the apostrophe. He goes round in the middle of the night painting apostrophes on these signs !! Another Hero !!

  • @nathanbrisebois8756

    @nathanbrisebois8756

    25 күн бұрын

    I shall become the North American counterpart who add's apostrophe's in place's they don't belong

  • @jennylhenry78

    @jennylhenry78

    25 күн бұрын

    I'll help Nathan! I'll take down the apostrophes that are there that don't belong. 😂

  • @pawelabrams

    @pawelabrams

    24 күн бұрын

    This guy is one of those chaotic spirits that mess with the time-line introducing Mandela effects everywhere xD

  • @OneHitWonder383

    @OneHitWonder383

    24 күн бұрын

    Your welcome.

  • @HobbitJack1

    @HobbitJack1

    24 күн бұрын

    If you're thinking of the Greengrocer's apostrophe (Fresh Banana's) then that's a grammatical mistake. I'd be interested to learn more.

  • @tomtechnics2855
    @tomtechnics285510 күн бұрын

    Wonderful man, Thanks, We need more like him. May God blessing him , USA

  • @nursecathy123cat
    @nursecathy123cat5 күн бұрын

    What a great neighbor!

  • @lancecahill5486
    @lancecahill548625 күн бұрын

    The State of California should pay Ankrom for the parts and labor, plus give him the Citizen of the Year award.

  • @chuck8094

    @chuck8094

    25 күн бұрын

    The State of California is more likely to arrest him.

  • @Isurusish
    @Isurusish25 күн бұрын

    What this man did was a service to the people. He went through incredible lengths to do it right. BRAVO!!

  • @The1stDukeDroklar
    @The1stDukeDroklar4 күн бұрын

    He did it so professionally it's hard to not salute the man.

  • @cubicinfinity2
    @cubicinfinity216 күн бұрын

    My YT recommendations are on fire today. It's not that this video is especially good, but it's that it's consistently in a good groove.

  • @slowanddeliberate6893
    @slowanddeliberate689325 күн бұрын

    At least they didn't prosecute him for unauthorized road sign alteration.

  • @louisbouchard6869

    @louisbouchard6869

    25 күн бұрын

    I think he waited until the statute of limitations ran out for arrest. This would have been, at best, a misdemeanor which has a very low SOL threshold compared to felonies.

  • @TEDodd

    @TEDodd

    25 күн бұрын

    @@louisbouchard6869 given that he hasn't reveled his other work it seems longer.

  • @TEDodd

    @TEDodd

    25 күн бұрын

    Prosecution would have been a huge PR blunder. And 20 years ago there were still government officials that cared about that.

  • @louisbouchard6869

    @louisbouchard6869

    25 күн бұрын

    @@TEDodd Or maybe it was his most visible work and one done so blatantly in front of CalTrans nose compared to his other works.

  • @TEDodd

    @TEDodd

    25 күн бұрын

    @@louisbouchard6869 this was a big one. But he claims to have done others that have not been disclosed. While CalTrans would have had a big PR black eye if they went after him back then other locations may well treat it differently.

  • @stejer211
    @stejer21125 күн бұрын

    "... but in the Y2K era, people _relied_ on road signs." That made me feel old.

  • @Arkiasis

    @Arkiasis

    25 күн бұрын

    I mean you still do. You still need to see "Use the right two lanes to follow signs for Exit 6B. Interstate 53 towards X"

  • @MihaelTurina

    @MihaelTurina

    25 күн бұрын

    Don't worry, I'm 20 and I navigate only by signs and memory. If I don't know where I should be going, I look it up at home and remember the route. If I forget, I quickly refresh my memory at a red light. My car has satnav, and I haven't even bothered to figure out how to use it.

  • @marcyking461

    @marcyking461

    25 күн бұрын

    Mercury dimes make me feel old, but I sure do wish I'd hung onto mine when I was a kid.

  • @customer5032

    @customer5032

    25 күн бұрын

    Same here! 😳

  • @alnibodycare

    @alnibodycare

    25 күн бұрын

    We still do lol

  • @neilopfer5687
    @neilopfer56879 күн бұрын

    Thanks for bringing this story to my attention!! Great for Richard Ankrom!! Fantastic public service!!

  • @2Hearts3
    @2Hearts315 күн бұрын

    Highway signage is very important and very shoddy in this country. Way to go, Richard, and THANK YOU 🏆👏

  • @lesleyelalami2562
    @lesleyelalami256225 күн бұрын

    I'm female, 73 and renovating the local park semi circular steps because the UK Council have neglected them for over 2 decades. Lots of appreciation from the locals.

  • @sumdimsum

    @sumdimsum

    23 күн бұрын

    Well done. Thx.

  • @chdreturns

    @chdreturns

    22 күн бұрын

    Ehh don't bother pretty sure in a few years some developer will replace thw park with luxury apartments (or flats as they are called in the UK)

  • @lesleyelalami2562

    @lesleyelalami2562

    22 күн бұрын

    @@chdreturns Too late, they're done and look stunning, clever me!