Saturday, March 18, 2006

Electronic billboards

The Montana Transportation Comission is recomending allowing changeable message billboards.
What do you guys think?
Message could change every 6 seconds or so. No moving or flashing lights, and they cannot cause glare on the roadway. Think this would be better or worse than some of the electronic message boards that have been popping up? ( Longhorn Lounge, Heritage Banks, Town Pumps, etc.)
Do you think these types of message boards with their bright lights and quick changes are a hazard to motorists?

posted by a-fire-fly at 2:31 PM

7 Old Comments:

The longhorn sign is a huge distraction and very bright at night. Not to mention everytime I drive by it tells me I NEED a drink. :)

By Blogger ZenPanda, at 9:40 PM  

They're only distracting if you're looking at them when you're supposed to be driving . . . sort of like cell phones.

By Blogger Justin, at 10:50 PM  

Justin have you driven by this sign? at night? the GLARE is terrible. (thus distracting)

By Blogger ZenPanda, at 2:49 AM  

Panda, the sign telling me YOU. NEED. A. DRINK. irritates me too.

Most signs of this nature actually have a dimmer feature to decrease the glare.

Many Citys/States include in their sign regs how bright the LEDs can be and how many times per minute the message can change because - it has been PROVEN that humans look at bright flashy signs while driving, and may be distracted.

By Blogger a-fire-fly, at 9:56 AM  

It never ceases to amaze me that we, as passersby, think we ought to have a right to tell someone what we want to see on their property.

By Blogger GeeGuy, at 9:05 AM  

GeeGuy I agree with you. I have made comments on property rights several times. Even though I have issues with the message I have no intrest in attempting to make them change it. However it intrigues me that special intrest groups tried to have the word Casino banned but do not seem to have an issue with some of the other signage issues - including ones that are against the current code.

By Blogger a-fire-fly, at 11:37 AM  

And I am NOT implying that ANY of the signs mentioned here are violating the sign code in any way.

By Blogger a-fire-fly, at 11:40 AM