Researchers at Jackson Laboratory Discover Gene That Makes Some Drivers Blind to “KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS” Signs

BAR HARBOR, Maine — A groundbreaking new study out of Jackson Laboratory has discovered a genetic link between drivers in the state and an inability to read the common KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS signs on highways.

According to researchers, the condition, known as “Keep-Right Blindness,” affects up to 30% of Maine’s driving population and is caused by a mutation in a gene called “Roadsigno Receptor.”

“We’ve long suspected that something was amiss with Maine drivers and their interpretation of traffic signs,” said lead researcher Dr. Susan Farnsworth. “But now we finally have evidence that there may be a genetic basis for this phenomenon.”

The study involved over 500 participants who were asked to navigate a simulated highway and identify various traffic signs, including the KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS sign. Those with the genetic mutation were found to be significantly less likely to correctly identify the sign compared to those without the mutation.

“We’re not sure exactly how this gene affects a person’s ability to read these signs, but it’s clear that there’s some sort of disconnect between the eyes and the brain,” explained Dr. Farnsworth.

The discovery has raised concerns among transportation officials, who are now considering alternative solutions to address the issue. Some have proposed installing larger or more colorful signs, while others have suggested offering genetic counseling to affected drivers.

However, not everyone is convinced that Keep-Right Blindness is a legitimate condition. Critics have pointed out that the study was conducted exclusively in Maine, and that other factors, such as distracted driving and steering wheel laziness, may be to blame for the state’s road sign confusion.

Despite the controversy, Dr. Farnsworth remains confident in her team’s findings. “This study opens up a whole new area of research into the genetics of driving behavior,” she said. “Who knows what else we might discover about the quirks of Maine drivers in the future?”

Do You Know Someone With Keep-Right Blindness?

If you know someone that may have the Roadsigno Receptor gene mutation, please share this article with them. Awareness is key to our understanding of this condition and in developing treatments. This includes around 30% of your Maine friends and family and a projected much higher percentage of people from New York or Massachusetts.