dept of signage : begging for a photoshop contest edition
metblogs caption contest
As happy as I am that the city is soon to be safer for walkers,1 I’m afraid that the billboard promoting the efforts to improve Seattle’s pedestrian-friendlieness is going to inspire more laughter than caution. In response to Tuesday’s banner day for pedestrian-automobile hostilities, the mayor announced several steps (no pun intended) to make things better for the car-free:
Along with the safety campaign and increased enforcement, Nickels’ 10-point plan includes encouraging drivers to slow down, upgrading crosswalks and improving walking routes to T.T. Minor and Bailey Gatzert schools. The city also is planning a red-light camera pilot program in the fall to photograph cars and fine drivers running red lights. [p-i]
Although the “fast response” is admirable, the quality of the ad campaign reveals the hastiness with which it was created. It’s certainly no “tsunami evacuation route.”
–
(1) although, I don’t think I’ve encountered a more pedestrian-friendly city than Seattle.
Are you being facetious? The way people around here drive, I feel like I’m taking my life in my hands every time I take a walk. 400 pedestrian-related accidents is, fair enough, only about 1 per day in a city with a bit over half a million people. WSDOT already reports 4 construction-related accidents, and construction season only just started.
As for my caption contribution, how about: “Take care of your house, before your house takes care of you!”? I know, lame. :)
While drivers in Seattle are incredibly polite–if you jaywalk, they wait for you!–in some ways NYC is better–no right on red!