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Public records search by ECM finds 1,805 accidents, including 20 fatalities and 673 injuries from 2018 to the present
By Miriam Raftery October 12, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) – On Sept. 27, the La Mesa City Council voted 4-1 to ask staff to prepare a request for proposals to erect electronic billboards along Interstate 8 and potentially, other areas in the city, with only Councilman Jack Shu voting against the proposal. Shu and other opponents argued that these could distract drivers, particularly near the interchange of I-8 and State Route 125. How dangerous is that area already? To find out, East County Magazine obtained public records from California Highway Patrol. We requested data on accidents along I-8 east and west throughout the city of La Mesa from Lake Murray Blvd. on the west to Chase Ave. in El Cajon, since one billboard site would be near the La Mesa/El Cajon boundary. We also asked for data on accidents on onramps connecting I-8 and SR 125. The data reveals that from Jan. 1, 2018 to Oct. 10, 2023, there were 1,805 accidents in those locations. Those accidents resulted in 20 fatalities and 673 injuries. The vast majority of those occurred on I-8. On I-8 west alone, there were 1,000 crashes, resulting in 5 fatalities and 383 injuries. On I-8 east, there 642 crashes, including 8 fatalities and 233 injuries. Don Wood, a vocal opponent of the proposed e-billboards, told ECM, “I’m not surprised,” by this data. He added, “There are numerous lane changes in the vicinity merging in that section…so it’s not surprising that we would have many accidents in that stretch. Adding flashing digital billboards showing thousands of different advertisements daily would only add to the confusion and distraction. This is San Diego, where we have a lot of drivers who are drunk, drugged and distracted.” Read the full article online at eastcountymagazine.org/how-dangerous-area-where-la-mesa-seeks-erect-digital-billboards.
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By Miriam Raftery
September 28,2023 (La Mesa) – Last night, the La Mesa City Council voted 4-1 to ask staff to prepare a revised RFP (request for proposals) for digital billboards, with Councilman Jack Shu opposed. The action reverse a July 25 vote, when Council rejected a similar proposal by a 3-2 vote. The major difference? The new plan would provide that any revenues the city receives off digital billboards for the first five years would be spent equally on police, fire protection, and the arts, said Councilman Colin Parent, who introduced the revised measure. Several people showed up before the meeting with protest signs, such as “Keep digital billboards out of La Mesa,” though some others spoke in support. The city attorney explained that the current municipal code prohibits electronic billboards, so before Council could approval and proposal that the RFP might elicit, Council would have to amend the municipal code. The state law prohibits new billboards, so only replacement of existing billboards could occur. The federal Highway Beautification Act would also apply. Councilmember Patricia Dillard peppered the city attorney with questions, revealing that Cal Trans prohibits advertising on billboards on landscaped property maintained by Cal Trans.”The whole point is revenues. If we can’t do advertising, that’s a deal breaker,”she said. The city attorney indicated the RFP would require any proposals to demonstrate compliance with city, state and federal laws. Dilllard responded this seems like putting “the cart before the horse.” She also asked for safety data, but the attorney said that data would be requested as part of the RFP process, then come back to the council for public vetting. During public comments, speakers were sharply divided on the issue. Opponents cited concerns ranging from safety to aesthetics. Paul Krueger urged Council to reject any efforts to move forward on digital billboards. He lives in San Diego near near SDSU. He objects to electronic billboards and kiosks as “garish and unsafe.” He called on the Council to find other sources of funding for public safety and the arts. Read the full article online at eastcountymagazine.org/la-mesa-revives-heated-debate-over-digital-billboards. Reprinted with permission from "La Mesa Fights Back Against Digital Billboards" by Scenic America.
On July 25, the City Council of La Mesa, California, took a significant stand against the installation of dual-sided digital billboards adjacent to Interstate 8 near the interchange with State Route 125. The proposed project by outdoor advertiser Clear Channel Outdoor faced strong opposition from councilmembers and the public alike, resulting in a three-to-two vote against proceeding with the plan. La Mesa activists, Scenic America, and Scenic San Diego mobilized a grassroots advocacy effort in the days leading up to the vote. This effort resulted in a strong showing of opposition, which ultimately led to the City Council’s three-to-two vote to kill the proposal. The City Attorney's new legal analysis of a proposal to allow as many as 79 digital billboards and other types of currently banned outdoor, off-site advertising was released on April 2, 2013 and is due to be discussed at a hearing of the San Diego City Council’s Land Use & Housing Committee’s in Spring 2013. The exact date has not been announced but it is tentatively expected to be heard at the committee meeting on May 22, 2013. The committee meets at 2 p.m. in the City Council Committee Room, 12th Floor, City Administration Building at 202 C Street, San Diego, CA 92101.  Example of off-site advertising. On Monday, March 11, 2013 the San Diego City Council heard and denied University City resident Linda Colley's appeal challenging a City staff finding that new freeway-sized, lighted billboards recently installed at Westfield UTC had no environmental impact. For the first time in decades, developers have been permitted to erect new billboard like outdoor advertising signs, seriously eroding the City's 30-year ban on new billboards. Councilwoman Sherri Lightner motioned to continue the matter due to newly discovered information indicating City staff had incomplete information on the existing signage at the property, but the motion failed. Billboard proponents argued that allowing the new signs amounted to a serious erosion of the City's 30-year ban on any new billboards.
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