A.M. BestTV: Foes of Digital Highway Billboards Call for Insurers' Help

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OLDWICK - JULY 28, 2014 03:08 PM (EDT)
This episode of ^A.M.BestTV explores how the use of digital billboards has become more prevalent, and as a result, the Scenic America Association (SAA) seeks to curtail their use, saying that they are a distraction. Insurers say all distractions are a concern. Studies on the signs' impact reach conflicting conclusions.

Mary Tracey of SAA stated that her organization wants to reduce what she refers to as "billboard blight," as the SAA is of the opinion that these billboards have led to more traffic accidents. Tracey said she also believes that the insurance industry is not really aware of the real danger these signs create. According to Tracey, "the signs should be banned." Loretta Wortes, vice president of Insurance Information Institute said, "Any distraction is a concern to the insurance industry, regardless of the cause and it is something we are watching."

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation disagrees with the SAA. A report on the subject released in concert with Federal Highway Authority, along with various state studies, finds that there has been no increase in traffic accidents due to billboard signs.

Click here to view this episode. http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=scenic714.

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