MichiganRadio

Digital Billboards: Bright Lights, Big Problem? ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) -

Some legislators in Lansing want to stop construction of digital billboards along Michigan highways.

The bill would ban any new digital billboards until January 2012 when a federal study will determine whether they are a distraction for drivers.

Abby Dart is with Scenic Michigan, a nonprofit that supports the bill. She says brightly lit billboards that change every six to eight seconds are as dangerous as texting, with one difference.

"You don't have any choice, your eyes are averted to that and you're sort of captive and that's why on our roads we have to take a time out and make sure the appropriate guidelines are followed," says Dart.

Dart says a two year moratorium would allow time for the government to make regulations and issue guidelines to advertising companies. © Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio