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Video Advertising Billboards - MikeM100

Does anyone else find the enormous video billboards at the side of motorways distracting ?.

Examples - at the M5/M6 junction in Birmingham and at the London end of the M40 (Westway).

I thought there were strict rules about advertising hoardings that were enshrined when the motorways were first built ?

This sort of started a good few years ago with farmers using old vehicles as poster sites in fields by the side of motorways

Video Advertising Billboards - Bromptonaut

Examples - at the M5/M6 junction in Birmingham

Those in particular.

Video Advertising Billboards - gordonbennet

Yes those near the big RAC office are seriously distracting and too bright, there's a lot happening at that junction as it is with motorways diverging/joining and you need every ounce of concentration, they should never have been granted planning permission.

Edited by gordonbennet on 26/01/2020 at 15:06

Video Advertising Billboards - bathtub tom

I saw a large van the other day with the entire sides and back as a video. I particularly found it distracting to be following it.

I understand it's illegal to view a TV screen inside a car whilst driving, but what about a damn great big moving one?

Video Advertising Billboards - Terry W

We have all seen "fixed" advertising in famers fields usually underpinned by straw bales or knackered tractor - "Dual the A303", "Fred was innocent", etc etc. I understand planning permission is required for fixed bill boards although I suspect these have none!

That attached to articulated trucks is not "fixed" - they just start rhe engine if there is a bit of legal aggro. I've seen them used at other outdoor events - eg cricket to repeatedly show wicket and sixes to the crowd.

It may be that the Highways Agency or the police through regulation or law have some authority over this although it is not clear which laws. But I suspect it would largely fall into the category of too much aggro to be worth pursuing - especially if the outcome could be protracted and any penalties fairly trivial.

The money from this advertising could be significant, changed to reflect the time of day, weather, season, and I assume is clearly worth the risk even if not legal.

Video Advertising Billboards - Zippy123

I am glad that this has been brought up.

They are terribly distracting and downright dangerous. I have seen people starring at them rather than the road.

As a species, movement catches our attention and I have noticed that if they play a video you cannot help but glance in the direction of the advert.

The things have really high contrast - so as to be visible in the daylight, but that makes seeing other vehicles at night more difficult (especially in mist / spray) due to the glare.

And yet they say in a moment or two you can travel hundreds of yard on the motorway.

They should be banned.