Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Ad Nauseam

UK Campaign Drives Home the Cost of Reckless Driving

Warning: Graphic video

On the heels of TA's report on the human toll of driving too fast, we bring you this highly disturbing ad from the UK Department for Transport's THINK! campaign, showing the difference a few miles-per-hour can make when it comes to avoiding a collision. Ideally material like this (Australia has a similar PSA) would be part of a required curriculum for American drivers -- not to mention police, prosecutors and lawmakers, who all too often seem just as unwilling to draw connections between the act of reckless driving and its consequences.

But we probably shouldn't expect to see this brand of reality TV on US airwaves anytime soon. Instead we get crash test dummy cartoons and spots like this new Acura commercial -- motorist-centric, sanitized and disconnected from the grim truth of auto-inflicted violence.

In the same vein, though cast in a more suburban context, is this equally disturbing Irish ad, offering a real-world antidote to ubiquitous car-maker "Just you and the open road" propaganda.

Video: anacarol80/YouTube

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Most NJ Gov. Candidates Have No Problem With ‘Boondoggle’ Turnpike Widening

The $11-billion highway expansion would double road capacity heading toward Lower Manhattan. Of the contenders, only Mayors Steve Fulop of Jersey City and Ras Baraka of Newark oppose it.

June 4, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: ‘Fairly Often’ Edition

Andrew Cuomo claims he rides the subway "every other week." Plus more news.

June 4, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: Stop Super Speeders Edition

There's a new member of Families for Safe Streets, which is not good news. But maybe his voice will lead to change. Plus other news.

June 3, 2025

Uptown Portion of Hudson River Greenway Closed For Another Month

Tell us, would car owners put up with a crucial road closed for months with no detour?

June 3, 2025

MTA To Finally Untangle Notorious Brooklyn Subway Pinch Point

The MTA's new capital plan will finally unclog a notoriously slow-rolling segment of the subway in Central Brooklyn.

June 3, 2025
See all posts