Signal 30

In 1959, the Ohio State Highway Patrol produced a 27-minute film showing graphic scenes of fatal traffic accidents. The footage was accompanied by a soundtrack of the cries and moans of the victims. They called the film "Signal 30" — referring to the patrol's radio code for fatal accidents.

The film was shown at many high schools, in an attempt to scare kids into being good drivers. Some judges also made people with traffic violations watch it "to atone for their violations." It got some dramatic reactions from viewers. For instance:

One woman rushed from the room, nauseated. Firemen gave her a whiff of ammonia to prevent fainting and she said: "I don't think I'll ever drive again."
Another woman had to be carried from the courtroom and given oxygen after she watched a truck driver burning to death in the color-and-sound film.

The film is now on YouTube, so you can find out how you would react to it. (I actually haven't had the courage to watch it yet.)



Massillon Evening Independent - Jan 20, 1960

Asbury Park Press - Aug 10, 1962



More info: wikipedia.
     Posted By: Alex - Wed Oct 05, 2016
     Category: Death | Movies | Documentaries | 1960s | Cars





Comments
The traffic accident scare film everyone talked about when I was in high school was titled "Red Asphalt." From my point of view, it was a disappointment.
Posted by KDP on 10/05/16 at 09:19 AM
I remember seeing this in 1962 or so. I especially remember a scene where a truck carrying pipes had a head-on and the pipes penetrated the perpetrator, er, driver. Some crispy critters too. I think it was cause for caution for a couple of days.
Posted by Nate Turtner on 10/05/16 at 09:46 AM
I saw it as part of drivers ed in '64. I didn't think it was THAT gory. What might be better use for it would be to show it to the knuckleheads that believe that their airbags will actually save them after they rear end a semi @100 mph in their BMWs.
Posted by John on 10/05/16 at 10:52 AM
As a former member of law enforcement, I contend that first-time offenders of DWI who do not injure someone should have to spend a couple of Saturday nights riding along with a member of their State Patrol. They'll see things they'll never forget and hopefully learn not to reoffend.
Posted by Jon on 10/05/16 at 12:43 PM
True enough, Jon. Unfortunately some people are so self-centered that nothing gets through to their little minds.
Posted by KDP on 10/05/16 at 04:48 PM
Is that opening sound effect the same one used in this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8pXrmobUZk
Posted by S. Norman on 10/06/16 at 07:30 AM
Jon, where I grew up, in the UK, the local magistrate's standard penalty for a first-time drink driver was a bunch of community service (120 hours, I think) spent as a porter in the ER on Friday and Saturday nights. Since the regular staff knew what the deal was, they made sure the offender got to handle the gruesome DUI victims.
Posted by TheCannyScot on 10/06/16 at 05:03 PM
It grossed out the kids in Driver's Ed in my high school for years, but I don't think it had any effect on drunks, not did it teach defensive driving. We DID learn which of out classmates had weak stomachs, though.
Posted by tadchem on 10/07/16 at 06:31 AM
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