Manila, Jan 11 (IANS): Commercial billboards with erotic images and highly emotive words distract drivers and may consequently lead to road accidents, says a new study.

A comprehensive study by the Metro Manila Development Authority found that "sexy" outdoor commercial displays could affect the driver's speed and behaviour and cause road accidents.

The findings showed that such billboards have many negative impacts including endangering public safety, increased crash rates and traffic slow down.

"These will lessen travel speed because people slow down to get a good view of the sexually explicit billboards. In the thick of traffic, a split-second distraction can mean slow-down, if not accident," said Melvin Navarro, former director of the department of public works and highways.

Earlier, researchers from the University of Alberta found that highly emotive words and provocative images on commercial billboards could affect driving behaviour.

Recently, a giant billboard that featured Argentinian-born model Belen Rodriguez was removed by Milan police in Italy after it was found to be too distracting for drivers, the report added.