The Czech Parliament has recently passed an amendment to the Road Communications Act aimed at simplifying and expediting the process of removing illegal billboards. The move comes as a response to the exploitation of legal loopholes by certain companies, allowing them to place unauthorized advertising structures along Czech highways and roads. These actions not only violate regulations but also pose potential risks to drivers and other road users.

The amendment, championed by Ondřej Lochman, the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, aims to streamline the removal process by mandating road and highway administrators to immediately report any unauthorized billboards or advertising structures they discover to the relevant authorities. Once confirmed as illegal, the owner or administrator of the roadway will be obligated to promptly remove the infringing structure.

Under the new legislation, local or regional technical services will handle the removal of illegal advertising structures. If the owner of the structure cannot be contacted, the advertising unit will be stored for up to three years at the owner’s expense. After this period, if the owner fails to claim the structure, it will be dismantled.

Prior to this amendment, the process of removing unauthorized advertising structures was considerably more complicated. It involved a lengthy four- to eight-week administrative procedure and a five-day notification period before the structures could be taken down. Unscrupulous advertisers often exploited this timeline to continue profiting from the illegal structures during the notification period.

The Ministry of Transport has expressed support for the amendment, recognizing it as an effective measure to enhance the enforcement of existing rules. František Jemelka, the ministry’s spokesperson, noted that while most unauthorized billboards have already been removed, there are still a number of remaining structures that need to be taken down.

The issue of illegal billboards extends beyond the Czech Republic, with many other countries, including the United States, grappling with similar challenges. These unauthorized advertising structures not only violate regulations but also detract from the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape and pose safety hazards.

By implementing this amendment, the Czech Republic aims to address the issue of illegal billboards more efficiently and effectively, ensuring compliance with regulations and enhancing road safety for all users.

Article by Prague Forum