Two pieces of legislation have been filed aimed at reducing the number of billboards in the state. The sentiment of reducing billboards is backed by Louisiana’s trucking industry because truckers feel demonized by the content of accident lawyers’ roadside ads. Jonesboro Rep. Jack McFarland said the goal of his House resolution is not aimed at any particular industry that uses the advertisements.
“I am not trying to restrict or limit the content or the message of the billboards, I’m simply trying to reduce the number and the frequency of the billboards,” said McFarland.
The Department of Transportation already has authority to regulate billboards. Both pieces of legislation say billboards clutter scenery of the state and contribute accidents from distracted driving. McFarland said the ratio of billboards to roads in Louisiana is too far out of balance.
“We have 10% of all the billboards in the United States, yet we only have 2% of the all of the nation’s state and federal highways,” said McFarland.
A Senate bill aims to limit the spacing of the billboards and the advertised content to be for an establishment within a certain proximity of the ad. Senator Conrad Appel of Metairie, who has filed the bill, said the measures are not a violation of the First Amendment.
“I liken the scourge of billboards as equal to litter that we see on our highways. I’m really not into content, I’m more into beautification and billboards that can cause accidents,” said Appel.
Appel says his bill is not demanding billboards be removed, but more scrutiny of the regulations.
