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http://www.globaltoronto.com/controversial+led+billboard+proposal+passes/6442678075/story.html
, National Post
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City Council set to debate LED billboard proposal
TORONTO - Toronto's City Council on Thursday has passed parts of a hotly contested proposal by MetroLinx adding more LED billboards in various parts of the city, despite calls from its transportation service department deeming the large ads dangerous.
Council voted 26-15 in favour of a new LED billboard near the Gardiner Expressway, which spans 14.6 metres, believed to be a distraction for drivers.
The proposal green lighted five locations with illuminated billboards scattered near residential neighbourhoods:
-Kipling Avenue near Belfield Road
-Eglinton Avenue East, near Bellamy Road (Two LED boards)
-Steeles Avenue West, near Alness Street (Two LED boards)
-York Mills Road, near Leslie Street (Two LED boards)
-Gardiner Expressway, near Atlantic Avenue (Six LED boards)
Three of the locations proposed were turned down:
-Lawrence Avenue West, near Weston Road
-Leslie Street, near Highway 401 (Two LED boards)
-Victoria Park Avenue, near Gerrard Street East
"These are a distraction to drivers," says Rami Tabello of the Toronto Public Space Initiative, a not for profit organization dedicated to enhancing public space.
"Even our own transportation service department says they're dangerous."
The city's Transportation Services recommended against the billboards during the last Planning and Growth management committee meeting. The Gardiner Expressway site was also turned down last month due to safety concerns.
According to Toronto's Public Space Initiative, there are decades-long research from numerous studies that support findings that electronic advertising distract people behind the wheel and raises safety risks with increased traffic accidents.
Jayme Turney, CEO of Toronto Public Space Initiative, said in a release that installing these LEDs are risky and dangerous.
"Government policy lags the research and fails to manage public health and safety risks until it is way too late, especially when there are profits to be made." He adds, "It's the same old story."
Regulations were also made that the billboards need to be shut off starting from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Several American cities including Los Angeles and Salt Lake City have bans on bright billboards.
Read it on Global News: Global Toronto | Controversial LED billboard proposal passes