Years ago I was driving in Oklahoma. They had signs posted informing you of the cost of a speeding ticket, broken down by various speeds. Very informative. I would slow down after each sign, because it was no way worth it to risk paying those fines to gain a few minutes time. Until I would forget, but then the next sign would come by. They definitely changed my behavior (a bit).
I think that the signs that remind us that we’re not invulnerable or infallible are supposed to do the same thing. Some angles may be more effective than others. Some may seem like a good idea may be actually counterproductive.
There is a branch of economics which studies “nudging”, where they try to modestly improve outcomes or metrics with often minor or subtle inputs. When they tried to improve tax collection in England amongst those who pay their taxes directly (self-employed folks, for example), they tried a bunch of different letters. Threatening letters were not very effective. The best effect was a letter pointing out that most other people had already paid their taxes (they included the percentage, can’t recall what it was). Similarly, utilities have seen greater conservation of energy in neighborhoods where the bill includes stats to show how you stack up compared to your neighbors.
I think they are looking for the same kind of effect here. Don’t know if there are any measures to show efficacy.
Never seen them either here in Chicago. I’ve seen the “XXX Days without accident” at stores and shops but that is about it. I have seen a dark humored one next to a cemetery in River Grove, IL (suburb of Chicago) that reads “Slow down, we can wait!” :eek:
Then there are the ubiquitous “Drive Hammered, Get Nailed” and “Drinking and Driving; NOBODY is good at it”. Everywhere.
Never seen the accident free ones, but I am sure I will soon enough. I’ll be looking for them now, and may break the record. :smack:
I live in the area and see the sign in question several times a year. It’s the only one like it I’ve seen. It’s a very windy, two-lane, mountain highway in many places and a lot of people drive way too fast, so it’s warranted.
The ones I’ve seen in the Chicago area are not of the “XXX days since accident” type variety, but something more like “There have been XXX roadway deaths this year” or something in that general ballpark. I haven’t seen them in several months, but they did show that along the Stevenson, at least. Or maybe it was just accidents, not fatalities. Whatever it was, it was a fairly high number.
Ah thats why, yeah I rarely use the I-55 so I wouldn’t remember seeing those. I rarely go down south outside of the city and when I do, I like taking Rte 83 south, its a little out of the way but more aesthetically pleasing (more trees). Are these displayed on the overhead electronic signs? Either way seeing how some people drive on the Stevenson, I suppose it doesn’t deter them at all. I have seen a lot of individual signs or coupled signs stating “In Loving Memory” at intersections throughout the city. I see one every time I get on the 94/edens @ addison. That definitely has an effect, seeing an individual name, I don’t know why but numbers probably wouldn’t affect me the same way.
Heh, the Stevenson is the “friendliest” of all the city interstates, I would say. 94 (Either the Kennedy or the Dan Ryan parts) is the one I consider completely bonkers, driving-wise.
I’m thinking the big overhead sign. I could also swear I’ve seen it on 294. But the one I usually go by is the one on the inbound side, somewhere around Kedzie-ish. It’s definitely between Pulaski and Damen, but, even though I pass by it every day, I’ve never noted exactly where.