Just Slow Down

[Gerry Mac]

This is an ad that will start running tomorrow hre in Winnipeg. The ad is deliberately not graphic but does send a definite message. At least we hope it will. What do you think.



Remember, the target group!!

 

[Bo Loo]

In my opinion, it's not speed but inattention that causes most accidents.



If speed were the evil killer that some groups want to make it out to be, Germany would be one big cemetary as the majority of the autobahn has no speed limit.



I have been passed like I was standing still on the autobahn while I was driving 140 mph.

 

[Steve McKellop]

Pick a relatively long distance drive you make occasionally. Make it 250 miles or more.

Set the destination on your GPS.

Drive it at the speed limit, then drive it in a typically "hurried' manner.



The little difference in travel time is an awakening revelation. It's not worth it to speed.



And while you're at it, pull over to send that text.:supercool:



Texting while driving, medicated while driving, buzzed driving, drunk driving.........same as pointing a loaded gun at me which I don't take kindly to.:angry: I'll drop a dime on your :cheeky: in a flash!



Boo Loo, you live in FL. You take your life in your hands every time you hit the highway, what with all those old retired Yankees going 100 MPH down I95 !

 

[Richard L]

Bo,

I agree that it is not speed alone that causes accidents, but it is a major contribuing factor



I lived In Germany for 8.5 years and have logged many miles (or Kms) on the Germany autobahns at speeds above 100 mph. While it is relatively safe to drive that fast in Germany, it is crazy to drive like that on US highways for a number of reasons.

The reason that you can drive that fast is the Autobahn is engineered for speed. The road bed I over 24 thick, while US Interstates are only 17 thick. That allows for smoother highways with less dips and potholes than US highways.



The cars in Europe are engineered for high speed driving and have superior brakes, and handling, (They had Disk brakes and radial tires for decades before the US, because they had the autobahn. Also, their cars are safer because of their much stricter safety inspections. Most 3 year old US cars would never pass the TUV safety inspection and even German cars can pass after 4-5 years without major work on the brakes and suspension. Germany also implemented mandatory wearing of seatbelts long before any of the states in the US though about it.



Lastly, German drivers pay a lot of money to get their license, and are better trained drivers. Theknow the rules of the road while driving on the Autobahn and stay in the right lane unless they are passing. If they are in the left lane and you are coming up from behind, just a quick flash of your bright lights will let them know you want to pass and they will quickly move to the right.



There are also some horrendous accidents on the Autobahn and many result in someone dying. Thats where the speed makes the big difference. A crash that may have been barely survivable at 70 mph can be deadly at 80, 90, or 100+ mph. It's also possible that had the person been driving slower he may have even been able to avoid the accident all together.



Of course you can get killed in an accident at 25 mph as well, but speed is a big factor in survivability and in contributing to the accident happening. Even if you are driving at the legal speed limit, someone can pull out in front of you and you cannot avoid hitting them. So it was the other guys fault, so what does that matter to you if you are dead If you were going over the speed limit you might be declared at least partially responsible because you were speeding?



Rich

 

[Gavin Allan]

Rich is right. The US government has set up controls based on the lowest common denominator, since everyone here gets a license whether or not they can see or drive. :banghead:

 

[Kevin Lang]

Pick a relatively long distance drive you make occasionally. Make it 250 miles or more.

Set the destination on your GPS.

Drive it at the speed limit, then drive it in a typically "hurried' manner.



The little difference in travel time is an awakening revelation. It's not worth it to speed.

4.16 hours to go 250 miles @ 60 mph (250 minutes)

3.57 hours to go 250 miles @ 70 mph (214 minutes)



10 mph saves me 36 minutes in your example. That is fairly significant, especially when you make the trip even longer.



10.00 hours to go 600 miles @ 60 mph (600 minutes)

8.57 hours to go 600 miles @ 70 mph (514 minutes)



On a day trip, I save 86 minutes. That's almost an hour and a half saved! That is very significant IMO. Last roadtrip of this length I did, I cruised the whole way @ 60, and I was really wishing I had reached the end 86 minutes sooner.



In day to day driving, your case is true--going 100 mph on the interstate for your 10 mile commute is not a vast improvement over going 60. Yet people do it all the time.

since everyone here gets a license whether or not they can see or drive

Or are here legally, etc etc.



I personally wonder how drivers licenses in one state are valid in the next, as the certification process has to be radically different. In my area of MD, to obtain a license, the applicant merely drives a ridiculously easy, impractical, contrived course. There is NO "on-road testing" with an MVA/DMV instructor. They try to implement it, but they cannot.



20 hours of drive time with a Drivers' Ed instructor, of dubious quality, and take 10 minutes to drive a course and BAM!, I have a license good in all 50 states and even the Great White North.



:back2topic:

The video does not state that excessive speed was a key factor in the accident.



They don't show a speed limit sign, they don't show how fast the young woman was driving her car, and they don't establish that the young woman could have stopped her car had she been going X miles an hour slower than she was.



Also, the young woman isn't at fault IMO, it was pedestrian error (The pedestrian is also jaywalking). Especially as the video doesn't actually say she did anything wrong.



Bad parenting was also a factor. Would it have killed him to park his car on the same side of the street as the school? Would it have killed him to get out of the car and walk with his kids? Shoot, would it have killed him to park his car at least at a crosswalk?



Will it put the Fear of God into young female drivers? I'd say so. For that target audience, your appeal against maternal instinct might even be more effective than the visceral gore-fest accident videos shown infamously in the US. However, the video doesn't stand up to scrutiny, but pathos is a mighty powerful thing, and you play it heavily.



I think your video will do what you want it to do.

 

[Richard L]

KL,

The video did not say anything, but it was a school zone and the flashing yellow lights were flashing in the background in one scene. That would typically indicate that the speed limit would have been 20 MPH to possibly 35 MPH depending upon the state, and the type of road where the school zone is located. It is pretty obvious from the view of the vehicle approaching that she was easily going in excess of 20 mph, or 35 mph and probably closer to 50 mph. In many states 50+ mph in a school zone would consitute Wreckless Driving, not just speeding.



If she was going closer to the speed limit, she probably could have stopped or swerved to avoid hitting the child. Even if she hit the girl at a slower speed, it may have mad the accident survivable for the child.



The child may have been J-walking, but that's why their are lower speed limits in School zones, because they are children and are likely to forget to look, and run out into the road.



Even if the driver did not see the flashing lights for the school zone, there were children present and that should have been sufficient reason to slow down and be ready for the unexpected.



...Rich

 

[Steve McKellop]

KL, you're using 60 & 70 mph, as just a figure I know. But using that info you posted I have to conclude your time is extremely valuable and every hour of it is put to good use. I know, MyST really IS good use. If saving that 86 minutes contributes to an accident (most probably an injury accident) or a speeding ticket (w/associated fines,lawyers,insurance costs) and you feel it's worth it then that's your right to that opinion. I don't share it. Speeds I'm speaking of, since the PSL here is 65-70, is 80 and above. Sure the figures on paper are comparable but the risks on the highway are NOT. I'm glad I'm at a stage in my life where "86 minutes" is not that critical. If you and I make that same trip I'll be home safely and relaxed 86 minutes after you. It will probably take you that 86 minutes and a few cool ones to get "chilled". As always, YMMV nline:

 

[Gerry Mac]

Remember, the target group!!

I guess I failed to make myself clear when I posted this. This campaign is NOT about inattention, texting, inexperience, alcohol or drugs or any other contributing factor. This campaign, this particular campaign is about speed and it is called "Just Slow Down".



Thank you for your input and I will endeavour to be more plain should I ever ask for input.



Gerry Mac

 

[Ian Devers]

My wife and I were just discussing the lack of commercials/on tv adds representing care and attention, drinking and driving, etc.. that don't seem to run anymore. As a kid, these type ads used to run all the time; knowing this ad was related to "speed", it's moving, and seeing everyone in a rush is quite true in todays world. Great ad, true to what the website is called and does not need to be overly graphic like some of the texting ads out there today.