DELAWARE COMPARES PEDESTRIAN VICTIMS TO ZOMBIES

Zombies have been used by government agencies and community groups across the nation to raise awareness about almost every cause under the sun; from disaster preparedness to teenage drug use. But one particular advocacy campaign in Delaware has managed to offend a number of local residents.

The Office of Highway Safety has launched a new traffic safety campaign with the unfortunate slogan “Don’t Join The Walking Dead.” Using actors dressed up as gruesome zombies, patrolling officers are stopping residents near the sites of recent accidents to remind pedestrians of basic safety tips.

Preventing pedestrian crashes is easy if we all use our brains. The Office of Highway Safety and the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is teaming up with State and local law enforcement to educate the public about safe walking practices through the Walk Smart campaign. It involves a combination of law enforcement stopping violators and educating them about safe walking and crossing practices and public awareness activities.

With more than forty fatalities since last year, the campaign is obviously meant to prevent further pedestrian accidents. However critics claim that the zombie activities and slogan itself are insensitive to actual accident victims and their families.

Officials say that it wasn’t their intention to offend anyone, but maintain a bold move is needed to help spread their message. In addition to bus advertisements, sidewalk decals and informational flyers, the safety checks are scheduled to continue throughout the year into late October.

To learn more about the Walk Smart campaign including advertisements , statistics and safety tips please visit the official website online at the Delaware Office of Highway Safety.