The caption for the Alberta Office of Traffic Safety ad campaign starts with, "We know what you're doing down there." If it weren't for the familiar glow on the drivers' faces, people would have had to drag their minds out of the gutter. If this ad does its job, that will hopefully be the only thing that needs dragging out of a gutter...or a ditch.
Created by RED The Agency, an ad agency based in Edmonton, Canada, the Alberta Office of Traffic Safety ad campaign boldly states, "Crotches Kill." Of course, it isn't referring to the crotch itself, but what rests on the crotch to stay out of sight. It goes on to read, "Sending even the shortest text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds--enough to do a lifetime of damage."
Erotic Texting Ads
The Alberta Office of Traffic Safety Campaign Shows 'Crotches Kill'
Trend Themes
1. Distracted Driving Awareness - Creating more campaigns against distracted driving can be done, using hashtags or celebrity endorsement to attract more attention.
2. Innovative Safety Technologies - Opportunity to invest in technology that could help reduce the number of accidents caused by distracted driving such as automatic car slowdown during texting.
3. Responsible Mobile Culture - There is an opportunity to build a movement on responsible mobile use while driving, aimed at making it socially unacceptable in the same way drunk driving is today.
Industry Implications
1. Advertising and Marketing - The need for more ads that reinforce responsible mobile use could require advertising agencies to develop more creative campaigns.
2. Automotive - There is an opportunity for automakers to take the lead in raising awareness of distracted driving and working on technological solutions such as self-driving cars
3. Mobile Technology - With more awareness of how mobile phones can be hazardous while driving, mobile manufacturers could start producing apps that disable certain mobile features while a user is driving.