We live in a world of advertisements.
Nearly everywhere we go our personal space
is invaded by someone trying to sell us something
we don’t need. Fast food, car insurance,
erectile dysfunction solutions and plastic surgery
are only the tip of the iceberg.

In recent years, though, having one advertisement
per billboard became too few
and electronic billboards began popping up
around town. Apparently citizens were complaining
that they didn’t have enough to look
at while driving.

An electronic billboard is a ludicrous concept,
especially since the passing of the law
forbidding texting and requiring a headset to
talk on a cell phone.

Is it just me or are we getting mixed signals
from upon high?

It feels as if we are being told: “You can’t
use a cell phone while driving because it is
too distracting, causes too much reckless
driving and too many accidents. But here,
watch some TV.”

Nevermind the cars around you, the kid on
a bike to your right, the yellow light ahead
or the vehicle that is about to plow into you.
Slip away into the ever-loving glow of moving
pictures.

The only advantage that I have seen from
these billboards is announcing breaking news
or public warnings, such as Amber alerts and
suspicious characters who are wanted.

I am a conscientious driver . very perceptive,
quite aware and always ready for
anything.

But I am such a conscientious driver because
I don’t trust other motorists on the
road. Too many people in our community
and, indeed, our society have the hey-look-asquirrel
mindset to be trusted with my safety.
And flashing pictures in front of them while
they drive shows a blatant disregard for common
sense.

Common sense is something vitally necessary
when it comes to our roads. If we’re
throwing common sense out the window,
then why not have residential streets cross
with major highways…or have traffic lights
possess more qualities of a strobelight. The
people in charge wouldn’t allow those changes.
So why should it be OK in this instance?
The correct and only answer is that it isn’t.