Horrific Anti-Speeding Ad Takes Road Safety Campaigns To A New Level Of Disturbing (Video)
In the latest of a series of hard-hitting road safety campaigns, Northern Ireland’s anti-speeding advert might be the most disturbing yet.
The DOE Road Safety ad titled, “Classroom” is so graphic that it was banned from being shown on TV before 9 p.m., reports Belfast Telegraph. Although, when you wipe out 28 young children with a barreling car whose driver loses control because he was speeding, it’s understandable why the horrific image might not be suited for all audiences.
And to drive the message home, the one-minute PSA is also set to the haunting acoustic version of “Sweet Child o’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses.
Since 2000 speeding has killed a classroom of our children. Shame on you,” the PSA’s narrator says in the ad. “You can never control the consequences if you speed.”
Needless to say the violent PSA has drawn criticism from many who feel it’s unnecessarily graphic and disturbing, but Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister Mark Durkan stands by the ad campaign, saying people need to accept the very real risks of irresponsible driving so they won’t do it.
“The aim of this campaign,” Durkan said in a statement, “is to challenge and dispel, once and for all, through this emotional and uncomfortable message, the false perceptions that many road users have as to the truly horrifying consequences of speeding.”
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin adds: “This advertisement depicts very clearly and very starkly the risks involved when speed is a factor.
Most of you will find it shocking but the reality is drivers need to be fully aware of the potential consequences of their actions.”
