Tag: funny

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Funny, Effective, Inappropriate?

Maybe these traffic safety signs push the boundaries of appropriateness a bit, but they are clever. These PSAs come from Australia, so I guess it’s more acceptable there. (Insert giant assumption here.) I have yet to see a traffic safety message locally that uses name-calling to try to change behavior.

Are they effective? It’s hard to measure the effectiveness of PSAs, but there are some general guidelines for how to change behavior. Instead of telling people what they shouldn’t do, effective behavior change is most likely to happen by encouraging people to do the right thing. (I’m thinking of you, “Don’t do drugs” campaigns.) Continue reading “Funny, Effective, Inappropriate?”

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Bloody Legend

It might take a few views to understand the accent in this PSA from New Zealand. Kind of like how it takes the first few minutes of a Shakespeare play to get a handle on the old English. Or trying to follow the hillbillies in Deliverance. But the dialect is intentional; it’s meant to connect with young indigenous men in New Zealand. The audience is specific, but the message is universal: If your friend is too drunk to drive, do something about it.

Holiday impaired driving patrols start this weekend. No matter where you decide to party, whether it’s New Zealand or northwest Washington, be safe and drive sober.

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The World’s Craziest Roundabout

If it took some time for you to get used to the roundabouts we have here in northwest Washington, just take a look at this one in Swindon, England. Seven traffic circles combine into one roundabout, and you get to pick which direction you want to go. You’d think it would be a crazy mess, but apparently it works. Take a look at the video from Wired Magazine to see an animation of how this roundabout functions.

Traffic engineers have to balance safety and expediency when they design roads and intersections. Their goal is to get people to their destination as fast as safely possible. According to the data, this  roundabout achieves that goal. It reduce crashes and it improves traffic flow. Anyone interested in a road trip to go try it out?

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(Nearly) Impossible DUI Test

In a scene from “The Man With Two Brains” Steve Martin is suspected of impaired driving. Apparently the Austrian police have incredibly difficult impaired driving tests. I’m all for thorough testing, but if I was faced with this test, I’d be going to jail. How about you? Could you do as well as Steve Martin?