Think! speed commercial returns to TV

The DfT’s Think! campaign ‘speed’ television commercial is back on air this week for a campaign on terrestrial and satellite channels that will run 2-22 February inclusive.

The ad is targeted at speeding drivers - particularly those travelling a few miles over the speed limit in urban areas.

"Many drivers are reluctant to accept that travelling a few miles above the limit is dangerous," says Dave Watson, one of the Think! publicity managers. "Many speeding drivers feel that they are very skilful and not dangerous."

The facts, however, tell a different story. A car travelling at 35mph will need an extra 21ft to stop compared to one travelling at 30mph – and at that extra speed, impact force trebles. Consequently a pedestrian hit at 35mph is more than twice as likely to be killed than one hit at 30mph.

"The commercial demonstrates to drivers the inherent dangers of what they may think of as ‘safe’ speed," Dave Watson adds.