Ban Billboards
There are some stretches of road in Philadelphia that are so cluttered with billboards that one wonders if their presence causes the accidents that lead to the traffic jams that make their placement so lucrative for the billboard firms. I am a libertarian at heart, but there are worse things that Government could do than ban billboards.
This article cites a study that claims billboards aren’t distracting. However it suffers from several factors including small sample size of 36 drivers in one city on a stretch of road having 30 billboards. The study didn’t sample various conditions drivers routinely face, namely traffic congestion and various weather conditions.
The outdoor advertising firms are quick to nip talk of these bans in the bud, even challenging restrictions on alcohol and tobacco advertising in impoverished areas of cities.
I can’t say I blame them. If I made a living by causing accidents and had no soul I suppose I would fight them too.
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