Oct 6, 2008 11:17 pm US/Eastern
Mobile Billboards Roll On In Baltimore County
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) ―
A key vote is taken in Baltimore County over a plan to ban scrolling billboards.
Kelly McPherson explains why this issue is up for debate.
You may have seen some of the 10-foot trucks that drive around simply to advertise other businesses. One council member says it's distracting to drivers and though he lost Monday night's case, the issue is not dead.
"If they stop me, I don't know what I'm going to do," said Jeff Giordano.
A $100,000 investment for Giordano's family was almost all for nothing. Baltimore County almost ruled it a dangerous distraction on the road.
"I'm told some people even try to text on cell phones, but it's just one more thing and I think it's going to cause a lot of accidents," said Councilman Bryan McIntire.
"It's no different than a billboard on the side of the street, only I can move mine," Giordano said.
The rest of the council agreed with the business owner. Moving signs on trucks will still roam county streets, but small business owners have another fight ahead.
The council member thinks drivers are also distracted by signs that blink or have scrolling letters. That will be up for discussion on his next piece of legislation.
"It's really an opportunity for small businesses to get the word out, to talk about their business in a very inexpensive way and we really feel the government is overreaching," said Keith Scott, Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce.
McIntire says the sign law could still change.
"Right now I'm a little discouraged. I think it should, but will it?" he said.
Giordano warns a ban could trigger a slippery slope.
"You have MTA buses with full wraps, 50-foot bus. If you're reading it and it's driving, then it's moving," he said.
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