Napa Artist Revealed as Creator of 'Speed Enforced by Drones' Signs on Hwy. 101 and 37

The creator of eye-catching, ominously tongue-in-cheek signs that read "Speed Enforced By Drones" along Highways 101 and 37 revealed himself this week. 

In an interview with KPIX-TV, Napa artist Stephen Whisler said he made the signs because he made the connection between the "speed enforced by aircraft" signs on the highway and the recent controversy surrounding the federal government's collection of Internet data as part of its anti-terrorism efforts.

“The genesis of this idea was just seeing the signs of “speed enforced by aircraft” and just thinking about the absurdity of that idea,” Whisler told the station. “What are they going to do, strafe us? But there’s a serious side of this as well – the NSA, all the snooping on Internet and phones, and drones really ties into that.”

The signs, discovered last Monday, were found eastbound on Highway 37 near Novato Creek and north and southbound along Highway 101 at Marin City. 

California Highway Patrol spokesman Andrew Barclay said the agency's investigation division in Vallejo is looking into the case. It is a violation of the California Vehicle Code to put up unauthorized signs on highways. 

“This is a fairly simple investigation and the reality of it is that it’s an infraction,” Barclay said. "You can't help but get a chuckle, it's pretty entertaining. I can appreciate the humor behind it."

Whisler seemed to welcome the extra attention.

"It has brought some excitement into my life," Whisler said.