Animated billboards are illegal, says Belgian Road Safety Institute

The Clear Channel animated billboards seen along many of Brussels' streets are illegal and should be removed, reads a statement from the Belgian Road Safety Institute (BRSI). The panels are unsafe because they can cause distraction among road users, writes Bruzz.

The moving panels can be found across Brussels, along the streets but also on public squares and in metro stations. “Both drivers and pedestrians can be easily distracted by such a sign,” explains BRSI. "This can increase reaction times, resulting in more accidents.”

Many of the signs are strategically placed near a traffic light. But according to the Belgian highway code, a document containing the country's traffic regulations, it is prohibited to place a red or green coloured luminous element within 75m of a traffic light unless it is installed at a height of at least 7m.

"All animated billboards that do not meet these criteria should therefore be removed," concludes Stef Willems of BRSI.