{"id":"tas:sr-2018-049","name":"Traffic (Electronic Billboards) Regulations 2018","slug":"traffic-electronic-billboards-regulations-2018","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"tas","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"49 of 2018","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":184707,"registerId":"tas-tas:sr-2018-049-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### 1 Short title\n\n> These regulations may be cited as the [Traffic (Electronic Billboards) Regulations 2018](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2018-049) .","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"### 2 Commencement\n\n> These regulations take effect on the day on which their making is notified in the *Gazette*.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Prescribed device","content":"### 3 Prescribed device\n\n> For the purposes of [section 77(2)(b) of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1925-038#GS77@Gs2@Hpb@EN) [Traffic Act 1925](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1925-038) , a device is a prescribed device if the device is –\n> \n> > > (a) displaying, either constantly or intermittently and with or without variation, illuminated words or images; and\n> > \n> > > (b) placed or left on a public street, or in a public place, by a police officer for traffic management, road safety or law enforcement purposes.\n\nDisplayed and numbered in accordance with the *[Rules Publication Act 1953](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1953-050)*.\n\nNotified in the *Gazette* on 25 July 2018","sortOrder":2}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulation does not purport to amend the Traffic Act; it supplies a definition of \"prescribed device\" for the purposes of s77(2)(b) only (Reg 3). It clarifies what kinds of electronic displays fall within that statutory reference but does not, on its face, expand or narrow the Act's substantive powers beyond that definitional specification."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose instrument that only provides a statutory definition (Reg 3)","Relies on cross-reference to Traffic Act 1925 s77(2)(b) for operative effect","Leaves operational discretion to police (who place/leave devices) without procedural detail","Uses broad descriptive language (eg. \"public place\", \"placed or left\", \"illuminated ... with or without variation\") that can create interpretive questions","Commencement tied to Gazette notification (Reg 2) and publication/numbering governed by Rules Publication Act"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation defines, for s77(2)(b) of the Traffic Act 1925, a \"prescribed device\" as an illuminated words-or-images display placed or left on a public street or in a public place by a police officer for traffic management, road-safety or law-enforcement purposes (Reg 3(a)–(b)). It takes effect on Gazette notification (Reg 2). Decisions about placement rest with police; costs and operational details are not specified in the regulation."},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available information, the regulations appear to have remained unchanged since their commencement on 25 July 2018. The Table of Amending Instruments is referenced but no amendments are apparent from the metadata provided, suggesting the scope has stayed consistent with the original intent of regulating electronic billboards near Tasmanian roads."},"complexity_factors":["The provided text is primarily administrative metadata rather than the substantive legal provisions, making full analysis impossible","Regulations of this type typically involve technical standards (brightness levels, image duration, setback distances) that require specialist knowledge to interpret","Interaction with parent legislation (Traffic Act) and potentially planning/local government laws adds a layer of cross-referencing","However, the subject matter (billboard display rules) is relatively narrow and domain-specific, keeping overall complexity moderate-to-low"],"plain_english_summary":"These Tasmanian regulations govern electronic billboards visible from roads, setting rules on how digital advertising near roadways may operate. They affect billboard owners, advertisers, local councils and road authorities.\n\nThey aim to reduce driver distraction (brightness, change rate, placement) to protect road safety. In force since 25 July 2018, the rules are state-specific and noncompliance can lead to penalties; the extract does not include full operative details."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The regulations remain tightly focused on their original purpose: creating a narrow exemption for police electronic signage. No scope creep is evident."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely short: only 3 operative provisions","Zero defined terms","Single cross-reference to one section of the parent Act","No conditional logic or exceptions","Simple binary test for exemption: (a) illuminated display + (b) police purpose"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this does:** These regulations create a specific exemption for police electronic billboards from Tasmania's general ban on illuminated advertising devices in public spaces.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Police officers** – they can legally place electronic billboards on streets and public places for operational purposes\n- **The general public** – these devices won't be considered illegal \"prescribed devices\" under the Traffic Act 1925 when used by police\n\n**Why it matters:** Without this regulation, electronic message boards used by police (for example, variable speed limit signs, road closure warnings, or safety messages) could technically breach laws restricting illuminated advertising displays. This ensures police can use modern digital signage for traffic management, road safety, and law enforcement without legal ambiguity.\n\n**Key detail:** The exemption only applies when devices are:\n- Displaying illuminated words or images (constantly or flashing)\n- Placed by police officers specifically for traffic management, road safety, or law enforcement purposes"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/traffic-electronic-billboards-regulations-2018","history":"/api/acts/traffic-electronic-billboards-regulations-2018/history","analysis":"/api/acts/traffic-electronic-billboards-regulations-2018/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/traffic-electronic-billboards-regulations-2018/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/traffic-electronic-billboards-regulations-2018/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/traffic-electronic-billboards-regulations-2018/documents"}}