Possible news article:
Sign Owner Fooled by Hilarious Prank Warning of Menacing Raccoons on the Loose
Washington commuters were in hysterics on Wednesday afternoon when a road sign on State Route 525 displayed an unusual traffic advisory. Instead of the usual alerts about lane closures, construction work, or accidents, the digital billboard greeted drivers with a startling message: “Angry Raccoons Ahead. Use Caution.” While some motorists may have wondered if the sign was hacked by an animal rights group or an eccentric animal lover, the truth was even funnier: the sign had been taken over by a group of unidentified pranksters.
According to the owner of the sign, which is rented by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) from a private company, the device was programmed remotely by someone who had gained access to the password-protected system. The owner, who asked not to be named, said that the mischievous act was not only illegal but also risky, as the false alert could have caused drivers to swerve or stop abruptly, potentially leading to accidents. The owner also noted that the sign was set to display “Closed for Maintenance” and that the pranksters had changed the message without authorization.
However, the humor of the prank seemed to outweigh its potential dangers. Several people who saw the sign and shared photos of it on social media declared it “the best thing ever,” “priceless,” and “amazingly hilarious.” Others said they were relieved that the sign was not an omen of a real raccoon invasion and that they had a good laugh instead of a bad scare. Some even suggested that the WSDOT should add an “Angry Raccoons Ahead” sign to its permanent collection of road symbols, alongside “Deer Crossing,” “Falling Rocks,” and “Whale Watching.” One Twitter user joked: “Well, I was already angry that I had to go to work, so it’s only fitting that I gear up for some angry raccoons, too.”
The incident prompted the WSDOT to issue a statement reminding people that tampering with traffic control devices is a serious offense that can lead to fines, jail time, and the endangerment of public safety. The agency also said that it was investigating the breach and that it had contacted the sign owner to ensure that the system was secure. The owner, meanwhile, said that he had updated the password and added more security measures to prevent future pranks, but that he was impressed by the “level of creativity and risk-taking” displayed by the culprits.
As of Thursday morning, the sign was back to its regular message, but the memory of the “Angry Raccoons Ahead” warning lingered on, providing a much-needed distraction from the routine of daily commuting and reminding people that humor and imagination can sometimes triumph over authority and solemnity. Whether or not the pranksters would reveal themselves or face any consequences for their prank remained unclear, but for many drivers, they had already achieved their goal: to make a dull stretch of road a lot more fun.
