The first reaction most people have when they hear that Lakewood will permit ten new large digital signs is "There will be so many accidents". We all know that driving in Lakewood is a challenge as it is. Add the distraction of signs that change on a regular basis, and a whole new variable is added into the mix. Driver distraction is already an issue in our modern world of cellphones and texting. Now imagine a flashing sign vying for your attention as you approach an intersection on New Hampshire street. As you finish reading one ad which takes seconds away from your focus on the road, another ad pops up begging to be read. This scenario will be all too common and will cause a diversion that can easily last twice as long as a normal sign might cause.
There were studies done in 2010 that seemed to say that there is no increase in traffic accidents due to the placement of digital signs on roads. However that study was funded by the corporations that own digital signs. Recent studies in 2013 have found up to a 35 percent increase of accidents in areas that have digital signs.
The study was conducted by the Swedish Transport Administration found that these digital billboards take a driver’s eyes off the road for more than 2 seconds at a time.
The results of the study has been published in the Traffic Injury Prevention journal. The researchers found that these digital billboards take a driver’s attention away from the road for much longer than other highway signs that are installed on the road. These billboards flash frequently changing messages and images, and are designed to be very attractive.
In the United States also, car accident lawyers have found a lot of concern over the distractions arising from digital billboards. In California, several cities have banned the use of these billboards altogether.
These billboards are designed with flashing messages that are aimed at luring a driver’s attention, and forcing him to look at the billboard. Many other studies have also found that these billboards cause drivers to look away from the road for more than just a few seconds. The Swedish study finds that these digital signs draw attention away from the road for more than 2 seconds.
A similar study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute back in 2006, found that any activity that takes a motorist’s attention away from the road for more than 2 seconds, can increase his risk of being involved in an accident. That study also found that as many as 80% of all car accidents occur because the driver was not paying attention to the road within 3 seconds of the accident.
The proof is more than just anecdotal and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that there will be an increase in accidents due to these signs.
Perhaps that is part of the plan. The Lakewood Scoop gets readers looking to see the latest accidents in town. Now they will be able to cause more of them and increase readership and in turn ad revenue.
Now the only question is why our committee that is entrusted to protect us would allow this dangerous plan to move forward.
We will deal with that in part three.
There were studies done in 2010 that seemed to say that there is no increase in traffic accidents due to the placement of digital signs on roads. However that study was funded by the corporations that own digital signs. Recent studies in 2013 have found up to a 35 percent increase of accidents in areas that have digital signs.
The study was conducted by the Swedish Transport Administration found that these digital billboards take a driver’s eyes off the road for more than 2 seconds at a time.
The results of the study has been published in the Traffic Injury Prevention journal. The researchers found that these digital billboards take a driver’s attention away from the road for much longer than other highway signs that are installed on the road. These billboards flash frequently changing messages and images, and are designed to be very attractive.
In the United States also, car accident lawyers have found a lot of concern over the distractions arising from digital billboards. In California, several cities have banned the use of these billboards altogether.
These billboards are designed with flashing messages that are aimed at luring a driver’s attention, and forcing him to look at the billboard. Many other studies have also found that these billboards cause drivers to look away from the road for more than just a few seconds. The Swedish study finds that these digital signs draw attention away from the road for more than 2 seconds.
A similar study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute back in 2006, found that any activity that takes a motorist’s attention away from the road for more than 2 seconds, can increase his risk of being involved in an accident. That study also found that as many as 80% of all car accidents occur because the driver was not paying attention to the road within 3 seconds of the accident.
The proof is more than just anecdotal and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that there will be an increase in accidents due to these signs.
Perhaps that is part of the plan. The Lakewood Scoop gets readers looking to see the latest accidents in town. Now they will be able to cause more of them and increase readership and in turn ad revenue.
Now the only question is why our committee that is entrusted to protect us would allow this dangerous plan to move forward.
We will deal with that in part three.
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