Warning Ads For iPod Users: Love It or Leave It?

January 12, 2008

An advertising agency called DDB in Sydney, Australia has created a print campaign for the NSW Police to bring attention to the number of teenagers dying from being hit by cars while crossing the street while listening to their iPods. There's been a great deal of talk about cities banning iPods on sidewalks, but this campaign certainly takes the anti-walking-with-your-iPod sentiment a step further. What do you think of the message?

64 Comments

the makeup blogette 5 years 17 weeks

it is not fair to blame accidents on ipods, or any mp3 players. pple should really just be responsible for their own safety esp when on the roads.

designergirl 5 years 18 weeks

I don't know, scissorz; I'm always surprised by what people don't know. Look how many people can't spell "ad."

SugarCat 5 years 18 weeks

I agreee, scissorz. It's common sense, right? Right? Um...

SugarCat 5 years 18 weeks

I agreee, scissorz. It's common sense, right?Right? Um...

scissorz 5 years 18 weeks

i think that there shouldnt have to be ads for this. i think people should look both ways before they cross the street and be more aware of their surroundings because they know that they cant hear. i think ads for this is a waste of money. why do people need to be told everything by ads and posters?

Emmiekitten 5 years 18 weeks

Surely a print campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of iPods rather than and outright ban is preferable? I never really considered the problem before I heard about the proposed ban. Its like back in '98 when Yoyo's were all the rage and my school banned them because kids were playing with them whilst walking and nearly getting run down.

pixelsugar 5 years 18 weeks

@Princesskitty22 Natural selection, I think you're on to something there! I agree 100%.

Catwal 5 years 18 weeks

I use my ipod all the time when I walk. Just be sure to turn the volume down when walking in a lot of traffic. That way you can still be safe, and hear what is going on around you. It is like having really cool background music to take with you.

velvetavalon 5 years 18 weeks

the ads are really cool but i don't think they serve as a very good warning. they are too cool to be a warning. my roommate got mugged because she was listening to her ipod and not paying attention. i know everyone uses their "white headphones of oblivion" to block out the world but you still need to be mindful of your surroundings, yeesh!

velvetavalon 5 years 18 weeks

millarci 5 years 18 weeks

The solution is simple. Pay attention to where you are going.

bhamm 5 years 18 weeks

I thought these ads were a joke, I actually laughed out loud when I saw them. These are supposed to be serious?

Glossgirl692 5 years 18 weeks

ahaha i thought this was an ipod ad before i read it

omilawd 5 years 18 weeks

What's next? Ads that say, "When you feel some pressure in your bladder, you should try to go to the bathroom"? Common sense ads are just unnecessary.

chickpilot 5 years 18 weeks

Great ads, but how many people get hit by cars while crossing the street without iPods? I agree with tdamji...It would be good to have some context.... It's my choice if I want to wear my iPod where ever I go, and I know the consequences if I do something stupid while I'm wearing it.

SkinnyMarie 5 years 18 weeks

I don't blame the drivers. The problem with people listening to their music while crossing streets, etc, is that they are completely blocking out all other noises you need to hear. They can't hear cars coming. I do think that people need to take more responsibility for their own actions, and that yes this is survival of the fittest. But how many times do you see people just crossing streets and parking lots without looking. People just carelessly walk out of walmarts and target without thinking that there are cars. They think that because the cross walk is 50ft wide that they don't have to look when they are going into traffic.

tdamji 5 years 18 weeks

if australia is anything like new zealand (which i think it really is), the main problem are the drivers - in new zealand anyway, there are basically no crosswalks and motorists never slow down to allow people to cross the street. As for ipods causing accidents because people don't pay attention: portable music devices aren't new...what about cd players and walkmen? have they compared the amount of accidents caused by people not paying attention (they claim that is the reason - but i still point to motorists) now to in the past? blaming ipods for these accidents sounds like a quick blame.

Cassandra57 5 years 18 weeks

I think a reminder is good, but I'm really tired of nanny states micromanaging so many aspects of my life. Just get some common sense, already! kitkatherine, I hope your dad is okay now!

Cassandra57 5 years 18 weeks

I think a reminder is good, but I'm really tired of nanny states micromanaging so many aspects of my life. Just get some common sense, already! kitkatherine, I hope your dad is okay now!

mrscaru 5 years 18 weeks

I walk with my iPod all the time and I've been okay so far. See, I stop and look both ways before I cross the street. I think drivers are the ones who need to stop screwing around in their cars... texting, playing with the radio, etc. They're driving around in 2,000 lb machines.

mrscaru 5 years 18 weeks

I walk with my iPod all the time and I've been okay so far. See, I stop and look both ways before I cross the street.I think drivers are the ones who need to stop screwing around in their cars... texting, playing with the radio, etc. They're driving around in 2,000 lb machines.

oatmeal_bliss 5 years 18 weeks

Sometimes it takes extreme advertising to get the public's attention. I would say that this ad would do just that!

penelope829 5 years 18 weeks

I live in a city, and I walk to work everyday. As long as you pay attention to your surroundings and exercise caution, you should be okay. There are always going to be people who don't pay attention- and YOU have to be able to respond to what they do or don't do. In the city, there are always catcalls/survey takers/people you don't know trying to talk to you. The iPod allows me to tune them out and get a little zen on my way to/from work.

penelope829 5 years 18 weeks

I live in a city, and I walk to work everyday. As long as you pay attention to your surroundings and exercise caution, you should be okay. There are always going to be people who don't pay attention- and YOU have to be able to respond to what they do or don't do.In the city, there are always catcalls/survey takers/people you don't know trying to talk to you. The iPod allows me to tune them out and get a little zen on my way to/from work.

Cris1192 5 years 18 weeks

Obviously it's dangerous to walk around with your, bout you could walk with just one plug one, thye don't have to bann ipods

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