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<br />Brigbt electronic signs with complex, cbanging messages contribute <br />extra distractions to motorists already confronted by visually cluttered <br />envir01zments.llow long WQuld it take you to comprehend the messages <br />on this sipz.? fltfore than two seconds? <br /> <br />A Word of Caution for Local <br />and state Governments <br /> <br />Local and state governments should be wary of approving electronic <br />signs, pending the outcome of definitive objective studies regarding <br />their safety. If research proves these signs to be unsafe, governments <br />could face significant liability and negligence issues if accidents occur in <br />the vicinity of the signs. Additionally, if the signs must later be removed <br />because they are deemed a hazard, the cost of compensating sign owners <br />would be enormous, particularly along federal-aid highways where the <br />Highway Beautification Act requires cash compensation and prohibits <br />compensation via amortization. <br /> <br />There is no objective evidence that these signs are safe. To protect <br />themselves from potentially catastrophic costs in the future, govern- <br />ments at all levels should enact immediate moratoriums on these signs <br />until it is known for sure whether or not they pose a hazard to the <br />motoring public. <br /> <br />