OLYMPIA — Electronic billboards take three times longer to observe than the amount of time it takes for an accident to occur. That is why Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, has introduced Senate Bill 6102 to prohibit the construction of digital billboards until January 2012.

“We’re hearing more and more concerns about the hazards these electronic billboards pose to drivers,” Jacobsen said. “We need more time to study the concerns.”

The federal government and the American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials are reviewing the safety hazards associated with electronic billboards, and their reports are set to be released in 2009 and 2010.

Preliminary findings suggest the billboards pose a significant risk to drivers. Studies show drivers who take their eyes off the road for more than two seconds are far more likely to be involved in a crash or near crash. Digital billboards, on average, distract drivers for six seconds. Motorists instinctively stay focused on the signs to see what’s next. Commuters learn to tune out traditional boards because the message remains static, but digital signs change messages frequently, creating fresh, constant distractions.

“There is real concern that the industry will quickly swap out traditional billboards with electronic ones before we have the studies’ findings,” Jacobsen said. “We need to make sure that we do everything we can to ensure safety on our roads. Let’s slow the process down and take a real hard look at this situation.”