It's almost hard to believe that these Hayward traffic signs are actually real. The city, located in California's Bay Area, has installed new traffic signs designed to creatively get the attention of both pedestrians and drivers. Cheeky traffic signs are nothing new, but normally they are put up by pranksters or are marketing stunts. However, the Hayward traffic signs are 100 percent government-ordered.
The messages on the signs were created not by a marketing agency but by the city's spokesperson, Frank Holland. The signs implore pedestrians to cross the street before checking Facebook and tell drivers that 35 MPH is in fact the speed limit and not a suggestion. While the signs may not reduce moving violations or accidents, they have helped the city go viral.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Cheeky Road Signs
- The use of unconventional and humorous road signs as a means to grab attention and convey important messages.
- Government-ordered Campaigns
- Government bodies taking charge of creating and implementing creative traffic sign campaigns to raise awareness and promote safety.
- Viral Marketing for Safety
- Using unconventional and attention-grabbing tactics to generate viral attention for road safety campaigns and messaging.
Where This Applies
- Local Government
- Opportunity for local government bodies to innovate and creatively engage with the public through attention-grabbing traffic sign campaigns.
- Transportation and Traffic Management
- Innovation in road signage and messaging to effectively communicate with drivers and pedestrians and promote safe behaviors.
- Advertising and Marketing
- Opportunity for marketers and advertisers to collaborate with government bodies in creating impactful campaigns that go beyond traditional advertising methods.
