It's a zombie invasion. That's enough to get anyone's attention which is what one state agency is hoping for. All the zombie hype is turning into a real message about safety.
From the big screen with films like 28 Days Later, to the small with shows like The Walking Dead. Video games such as Resident Evil are capitalizing on the living dead. You could call it an invasion when even the Centers for Disease Control has blogs with zombie preparedness tips.
A new ad campaign in Illinois is using the same idea, hoping to save lives on the road. It, in a nut shell, says your defense from a zombie attack is simply to buckle up. Of course, the main message is buckling up saves lives.
Illinois Department of Transportation's new Click It Or Ticket commercial is running across the state. The 30-second spot certainly gets your attention. When a zombie pops up behind the driver of a car and he slams on his breaks sending the zombie flying through the windshield. Meanwhile, the driver stays put safe in his front seat. "Wearing your safety belt is the law. Even in the back seat it can keep you safe and it could protect you from zombies," says the narrator.
Some describe it as different, unexpected, and memorable which is just what IDOT and law enforcement throughout the state are hoping for. "I think anytime you can take something that is of interest to a large group of people, such as zombies tend to be right now, you're going to have more connection with the message," said Jessi Hopkins, a traffic safety liaison for IDOT.'
Illinois drivers are getting better at buckling up since the Click It or Ticket campaign began in 2000. Compliance is about 93 percent but troopers say we can do better. The new ad takes a step further reminding drivers that anything could happen on the road. "The underlying message of you don't know what's going to happen next as you make that next turn it does come true. Even I guess zombies that are out there roaming around," said District 7 Trooper Jason Wilson with a chuckle.
Will it work? As far as saving lives as a result of more seat belt use, many think yes. As far as saving you from a zombie apocalypse, that remains to be seen. "It's light hearted, but a serious message," added Hopkins.
This Click It or Ticket campaign runs through Sunday. After that IDOT will conduct surveys on seat belt compliance to see if it made a difference.
To see the full PSA commercial click here
