Safety

The Ad Council has focused on drunk driving prevention since 1983, with the release of the now-classic “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk” campaign. As the idea of a designated driver became the cultural norm, but alcohol-related driving fatalities began to increase, we recognized the need for a new approach. In 2005, we refreshed our classic campaign with a new message: “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving."

The most recent iteration of the Buzzed Driving Prevention campaign effort prompts young men 21 to 34 to examine their own warning signs of impairment and take responsibility for their decisions behind the wheel by reminding them: If you need to do something to make yourself feel okay to drive, you're not okay to drive.

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children under 13. This campaign encourages parents and caregivers to correctly buckle up their kids in the right seat for their age and size by reminding them of the importance of getting the big stuff, like car safety, right.

To ensure parents and caregivers are properly securing their children in the best car seat restraint for their age and size, they can visit NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat or NHTSA.gov/Protegidos.

Messaging while driving—whether sending a text, commenting on a photo, or connecting with friends via an app—is dangerous. But even though 94% of Americans recognize it’s dangerous to send a text while driving, and 91% recognize it’s dangerous to read one, many people still do it.

To address the disconnect between awareness and behavior, our campaign addresses the fact that people are personally engaging in a behavior that they know is dangerous. The campaign reminds drivers from 16 to 34 that no one is special enough to message while driving.

Although several states have legalized marijuana use, driving when impaired by any substance remains illegal in all 50 states and in Washington, D.C.

Many marijuana users don’t see a problem with driving after use, but research shows marijuana can slow reaction time, impair judgment of distance, and decrease coordination - all skills necessary for the safe operating of a vehicle.

Our campaign targets young men aged 18 to 35, many of whom reject the common stereotypes of marijuana users - and reminds viewers that if you feel different, you drive different. Don't drive high.

In recent years, devastating earthquakes, tornadoes, floods and wildfires have highlighted the need for all Americans, regardless of background or location, to prepare for natural disaster. However, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), half of Americans have not discussed or developed a family emergency plan.

Since 2003, our campaign has empowered individuals, families, small businesses, and communities to prepare for both natural and man-made disasters. “Ready” recommends taking four steps towards preparedness:

1. Be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate protective actions.

2. Make a family emergency plan including information on how to reconnect and reunite.

3. Build emergency supply kits to ensure you’re prepared whether you’re at home, at work, or in the car.

4. Get involved by finding opportunities to support community preparedness.

The Ready campaign now includes PSAs developed specifically for Latino and Black audiences, in addition to the general market work that encourages, educates, and empowers families to develop their own emergency preparedness plans by visiting Listo.gov/plan or Ready.gov/plan.

Recent hurricanes, blizzards and blackouts have shown New Yorkers the importance of being prepared for an emergency. However, thirty-three percent of New York residents have said they do not have any form of household emergency plan, and 66% do not have all of the recommended emergency supplies. On top of that, only 28% said they have a plan for how to find family members and reunite in the event of an emergency.

Launched in 2009, “Ready New York” is the New York City Emergency Management’s public education campaign for emergency preparedness—it’s designed to encourage the city’s 8.5 million residents to prepare for both natural and man-made emergencies and increase awareness of NYC EM’s suite of resources.

The latest campaign, in both English and Spanish, reminds New Yorkers that while you can’t be ready for every little disaster in life, you can prepare yourself and your family for a big one – like hurricanes, blizzards, blackouts, and more. The campaign urges New Yorkers to make an emergency plan today at NYC.gov/readyny or call 311.

The End Family Fire campaign highlights the importance of safe gun storage and introduces the term “family fire,” giving a name to any shooting that involves an improperly stored or misused gun found in the home. Unintentional shootings, suicide, and intentional shootings are all forms of family fire.

With about 43 percent of U.S. adults living in a household where there is a firearm, family fire is an issue that affects communities across the country. Now, more than ever, storing guns safely – locked, unloaded, and separately from ammunition – can keep our families and communities safe.

To best protect your loved ones – store guns safely.

Pediatric vehicular heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related fatalities for children aged 14 and younger. Parked cars get hot, fast – and can be deadly. A child’s body temperature rises 3-5 times faster than an adult’s does, and even at temperatures as low as 60°F, a child that has been forgotten or left behind or gained access to a parked car can be at risk of heatstroke within minutes. This campaign reminds families with children that these tragedies can happen to anyone, but they are always preventable.

To learn more about how to prevent heatstroke deaths visit www.nhtsa.gov/heatstroke or www.nhtsa.gov/hipertermia.