Response to Linda Wait's June 6, 2024 letter to the Peninsula Pulse
Dear Linda,
I saw your letter at https://doorcountypulse.com/letter-to-the-editor-a-suggestion-for-a-time-restriction-on-political-signs/. Thank you for helping people think about how their signs affect others. You ask for consideration rather than demand enforcement, which makes sense given the legal situation about political signs.
Federal court decisions have discouraged communities from enforcing time limit ordinances on political signs. In addition the DOT, https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/real-estate/outdoor-adv/improp-placed-signs.aspx, states that it will not enforce the state time limit from Trans 201.16.
This is a letter describing the legal situation: https://www.aclu-wi.org/en/news/yard-signs-promoting-or-opposing-recalls-are-free-speech
I tried to look up the judicial decision cited in this letter, Fiedorowicz v. City of Pewaukee, No. 02–C–0830, slip op., (E.D. Wis. April 9, 2004); 2004 WL 6338545. It is not available online without paying money through the PACER system. The decision is referenced in this article: https://journals.law.harvard.edu/crcl/wp-content/uploads/sites/80/2022/09/UnOfficialCityscapes.pdf#page=44
A voluntary solution could be arranged instead of trying to enforce the laws. I imagine a facebook group for anyone volunteering to remove signage in tandem with someone from the other side also willing to remove signage. Opposing political flags could also be mutually removed. A third party could agree to store the signs or flags until an agreed-upon date to prevent them from being redistributed in a way contrary to the spirit of the agreement.
The political signage problem is similar to the alcohol signage problem. Alcohol billboards, like political signs, are protected by court rulings as freedom of speech. The sort of ordinances against alcohol advertising likely to survive a legal challenge are rather narrow, and described in a list on the right side: https://web.archive.org/web/20230506080024/https://alcoholjustice.org/images/reports/miadguide.pdf#page=10
The legal situation is at odds with public opinion. A 2002 survey found that 61% of American adults wanted to ban billboard advertising for alcohol:
Driver impairment, which is not necessarily from alcohol, is listed as a factor for 38 vehicle crash fatalities in Door County since 2001.
https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/b8807501-210c-4554-9d72-31de4e939578/the-economic-cost-of-abortion.pdf#page=5 describes the 2019 value of a statistical life as an estimated $10.9 million per adult. Multiplying that by 38 lives, it means that the fatal impaired crashes in Door County have cost the U.S. economy an estimated $414 million dollars since 2001. (This estimate is in 2019 dollars; also it does not take any year to year changes in the estimated VSL into account.)
Over the 22 and a half years of crash data, the estimated cost averages out to $18.4 million per year. Most of this cost is felt outside of the county, and it is spread out over the additional length of time that each crash victim would have lived.
https://linkmediaoutdoor.com/markets/wisconsin/ is the main page for Link Media Outdoor. I noticed how Door County is featured prominently on this webpage. Their interactive map shows 101 billboards in Door County, and https://lamar.com/greenbay shows 16 Lamar billboards in Door County.
These are large corporations and local government does not have much power over their operations, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing anyone can do. A first step towards changing current alcohol advertising practices is within the power of local governments, and is less expensive than purchasing and removing billboards.
The origin of the recently consumed alcohol could be solicited by law enforcement for all OWIs and DUIs. For plea agreements, disclosure about the source of the alcohol could be required as a condition. An ongoing record could be kept of the information gathered.
125.12(2)(ag)1 states that, besides the things listed out by the state, municipalities can decide to to revoke alcohol licenses on the basis of their own ordinances. 125.10 gives broad authority to local governments to issue regulations relating to the sale of alcohol.
A municipal ordinance could spell out that if a business is found to have sold alcohol to anyone subsequently convicted of an OWI or DUI, and the business is simultaneously placing off-site advertising along a roadway, that is deemed “improper” in the sense of 125.12(2)(ag)2. Because it is improper, it is grounds for revocation or non-renewal of the business’s license to sell alcohol.
Why is it “improper”? I asked Bing Copilot about the general topic, and it responded with the following:
Billboards advertising products containing alcohol can have varying effects on drunk driving. While there isn’t a straightforward answer, here are some considerations:
Visibility and Awareness: Alcohol billboards increase visibility and awareness of alcohol brands. This exposure might lead to increased alcohol consumption, which could indirectly contribute to drunk driving incidents.
Social Norms: Billboards shape social norms. If alcohol billboards are prevalent and normalized, people may perceive drinking and driving as less risky or socially acceptable.
Target Audience: The impact depends on who sees the billboards. If they primarily reach individuals who already drink responsibly, the effect on drunk driving might be minimal. However, if they reach a broader audience, including those prone to risky behavior, the impact could be different.
Regulation and Content: Some countries regulate alcohol advertising rigorously. The content, tone, and messaging of alcohol billboards matter. Responsible messaging emphasizing moderation and designated drivers can mitigate negative effects.
In summary, the relationship between alcohol billboards and drunk driving is complex, influenced by various factors. It’s essential to consider context, audience, and messaging when assessing their impact.
What is missing in this four-point response is the association between billboards and driving. Instead it looks more at the impact on culture. Laws aimed to curb drunk driving law are not able to legislate a broader cultural change regarding alcohol, but are intended to improve the safety of the roads. This is a smaller impact, but one worth pursuing.
Many products are advertised on billboards which can’t, or shouldn’t be used when driving. The difference with alcohol billboards is that alcohol is being used on the road, and car crashes are happening as a result.
Were billboards advertising texting as common as billboards advertising alcohol, that would be a comparable situation, because of the problem of texting while driving.
Such an ordinance would not completely eliminate billboards for alcohol, but it has the potential to do some good and save lives over the years going forward. For it to work it would require coordination between law enforcement, the District Attorney’s office, and the municipalities.
In case you are wondering what Bing Copilot has to say about political signs, it returned the following:
The economic impacts of election yard signs on tourism can vary, but here are some considerations:
Visual Aesthetics: Excessive yard signs can detract from the natural beauty of an area, affecting its appeal to tourists. Visitors seeking picturesque landscapes may be disappointed if the scenery is cluttered with signs.
Tourist Perception: Tourists might associate an abundance of yard signs with political divisiveness or a lack of community cohesion. This perception could influence their overall experience and willingness to return.
Marketing and Branding: The presence of yard signs can inadvertently shape a destination’s image. If the signs are well-designed and convey positive messages, they may enhance the area’s brand. Conversely, poorly maintained or unsightly signs could have the opposite effect.
Local Businesses: Yard signs can indirectly impact local businesses. If tourists perceive the area as politically charged, they may avoid spending money at local establishments. On the other hand, signs promoting community events or attractions could boost business.
Visitor Numbers: The flood of political signs may influence travelers’ decisions, even if subconsciously.
In summary, balancing political expression with preserving natural beauty is crucial for areas dependent on tourism. Local communities should consider regulations or guidelines to maintain visual appeal while allowing democratic participation.
The original result was partially plagiarized word for word, in a way which misrepresented the website it drew from, so I deleted that part of it. The rest of it seems good enough, and it supports your letter.