City councilors in Toronto are divided over permitting a movie complex to erect giant screens to show movie clips alongside a major highway.
The issue began as a zoning variance for Cineplex Galaxy's plan to erect two 400-square-foot screens, which exceed the standard sign size.
The cinema, Canada's busiest movie theater by attendance, is adjacent to the city's main east-west, 12-lane, 55 mph expressway.
However, some city councilors are more concerned with highway safety and distractions than a sign variance, the Toronto Star reported.
But Councilor Peter Milczyn, who represents the theater's area, dismissed those concerns.
"It's meant to attract those in the immediate area, those on the highway," Milczyn said. "I don't think it will create any more of a traffic hazard than driving with coffee or fiddling with a cell phone."
Les Kelman, director of the city's traffic management center said the distraction could be similar to talking on cell phones while driving, which initially were thought to be harmless but are now considered a safety risk.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
