5 Most Shockingly Stupid Anti-Drinking Ads

Won't they ever learn?  Kid's just laugh at these Public Service Announcements (PSAs).  My generation thought the anti-LSD PSA with the talking hotdog was ridiculous and I'm sure today's generation are laughing just as hard at the following:

From the April 1, 2010 issue of The Week:

5 most shocking anti-drinking ads

Shame-inducing alcohol PSAs only make American college students drink more, says a new study.  Good thing they're not watching these (far more brutal) international PSAs.

Anti-drinking ads aimed at college students often backfire, reveals a recent Northwestern Kellogg School of Management study. Ads that link drinking to "shame and guilt" may actually provoke viewers to imbibe more, say the researchers, who suggest that "positioning PSAs in less heavy-handed environments, such as a sitcom, could reduce resistance." Good thing Americans are not seeing these PSAs from overseas, where anti-drinking ads are routinely much harsher . Here, five of the most shocking: 

1. "Tequila Slammer"
With its shaky, Blair Witch Project-like camerawork, this 2010 ad — part of the £25,000 Cocktales government program aimed at youth in Derbyshire, UK — is a clear attempt to make the PSA "go viral." As so often in this genre, a fun night turns tragic. But this time, it's shot from the POV of a camera-wielding observer who himself seems far from sober:

2. The "anti-baby-swinging" ad
The producers of this controversial 2008 PSA from New Zealand "evilly sensationalized" it, alleges one blogger, by coopting its child-abuse theme from a viral video. A spokesperson for the New Zealand Alcohol Advocacy Council said it asked focus groups of parents whether the ad should be screened in prime time: "The uniform response was yes."



3. The key-wielding Canadian killer
This PSA, produced by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) takes a more metaphorical approach to highlighting the dangers of drink driving, and shows it's not just binge-drinking kids who get DUIs:

4. "Shame"The fact that this classic spot — produced by the Irish government in 2000 and originally shown in cinemas — begins with the soothing sounds of Fleetwood Mac and dreamlike slow-motion shots arguably makes its "hard-hitting and uncompromising" conclusion even more shame-inducing:

5. "Never"
The inevitable crash comes early in this 2007 PSA, produced by Australia's Transport Accident Commission, but the ad depends less on shock tactics and more on skillful emotional manipulation. It's the fall-out that stays with you, a cross-cut look at the impact a deadly crash can have on survivors — concluding with typically Australian bluntness:

Here's the anti-LSD PSA with the talking hotdog that I mentioned.   We saw it in 7th grade and were roundly scolded for laughing at it.  It's hilarious.  And it was extremely effective...at making everyone want to try LSD.

This Is Likely Perfectly Legal, Because No Alcohol Is Involved

Sean Symons videotaped this texting driver.  The driver continued to text even after coming to a stop, apparently oblivious what had happened.  He hit two cars.

I'm not sure what state this is, but likely the most this driver will get is a ticket for reckless driving and that's only because there is videotaped evidence he was texting.  Had he been drinking it could have been felonious aggravated DUI with mandatory prison time, tens of thousands of dollars in fines and attorney fees, loss of driving privileges for at least five years, and a lifetime criminal record.

Groups like MADD focus entirely on drinking (as few as a couple beers) and driving, while they ignore what are arguably just as dangerous activities:  speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, drowsy driving, dangerous police chases, older drivers who have impaired vision or reflexes, poorly trained drivers, operating a vehicle with poor brakes or tires, improperly loading vehicles, unsafe towing practices, and dangerously designed cars.

When a MADD leader was asked about how traffic fatality statistics involving cell phone use compared to those involving drunk drivers, he tellingly replied "I have absolutely no idea, nor do I care." On CNN's Crossfire, the President-elect of MADD refused to discuss cell phones and the traffic fatalities they cause. She said "We're not here to talk about cell phones. We're here to talk about alcohol." Following more questions about how cell phones impair driving, the MADD leader snapped "I'm not going to talk about cell phones." Similarly, a MADD lobbyist was quoted on the program as saying "I don't care about deaths from cell phones."  (MADD Pushes for New Measures. CNN Crossfire, aired June 28, 2002.)

Perhaps MADD's lack of concern for deaths caused by cell phone results from the fact that the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) gave free wireless phones to MADD chapters throughout the country along with free airtime. As the President of MADD exclaimed, "This is a tremendous shot in the arm for our organization."  (Bouvet, S. CTIA joins MADD to Aid Victims of Drunk Drivers with Phones, Airtime (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) CTIA press release, January 19, 1998; Sundeem, M. Cell Phones and Highway Safety: 2002 State Legislatures Update. Denver, CO: National Council of State Legislatures, 2002.)
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