As residents of the United States, we entrust our common defense and safety to the great leviathan called the federal government: sometimes that power manifests in the regulation and discouragement of behavior that puts lives – ours and others – in harm’s way. As a conduit for government initiatives, the Ad Council has encouraged safe driving habits for over 75 years. As administrations, automotive design trends, and public perception have shifted, the Council has remained steadfast on the importance of personal responsibility. This exhibit will explore the various campaigns the Ad Council has created in service of traffic safety. Examples of campaigns that will be covered in this exhibit include the Green Cross/Stop Accidents campaign from the 1940s through 1960s, the 55mph campaign of the 1970s and Drunk Driving prevention from the 1980s-present.
