Clearer Signs, Safer Roads

Here's a great example of how a small change can make a big difference to road safety just by changing the type on road signs. The piece in the NY Times provides a great read on font design and also the history of road signage in the U.S.

This leads me to thinking about eye exams and the silly chart the eye doctor makes you read. Maybe its not a problem with our eyes, but rather the illegible characteristics of the blocky font that make it difficult to read. I would be interested in finding out the history of its design. If anyone knows, please share.