The Anne Arundel County Council is considering a bill restricting the use of electric advertising signs because they may distract drivers and create a safety hazard.
The Examiner interviewed Ragina Averella, public and government affairs director for AAA Mid-Atlantic in Towson, about electric signs and driver distractions. See story, Page 12.
Are electric signs and message boards a danger to drivers?
They certainly serve to be a potential distraction. But the reality is that there are numerous distractions due to technological advances, especially cell phones. But anything that creates a driver distraction is dangerous.
The Anne Arundel County bill targets businesses, but the state uses message boards on highways. Would those also be a potential driving hazard?
Those, too, are distracting. Our state message boards are a double-edged sword. They are very informative and help tell drivers what?s going on. But drivers are slowing down to read these signs and adding to the congestion.
Should AAA study this matter?
We would support that kind of study, and it?s something we?d like to see reviewed. I believe that is something our foundation would certainly consider, since it has done several studies on distracted driving.
Should electronic sign boards be banned?
Emergency blinking billboards such as those on state highways serve a vital function, particularly post-[Sept. 11], but they too can sometimes be a distraction to motorists. Therefore, we need to be judicious in using this method of advising our motoring public. The reality is every time someone takes their eyes off the road, the risks increase that they could be involved in a crash. For that reason, AAA Mid-Atlantic does not condone the use of electronic, blinking signs that are used solely for advertising purposes.
