Would having this odometer make you drive more safely?

(Note: If it’s not obvious, the scale is in kilometers rather than miles.)

(HT: Adam Shepard)

16 Responses to “Emotionally intelligent dashboard signage?”

  1. Sirona Branson says:

    No, it wouldn’t! It is too culturally specific.

  2. Avatar photo Dan Pink says:

    @sirona — indeed. far less likely to work for muslims, jews, hindus, buddhists, or nonbelievers.

  3. Sirona Branson says:

    I actually prefer the colors seen on tachometers.
    Better yet, take off the upper numbers!

  4. Jason Soll says:

    Would skull and crossbones be more direct? Haha

  5. Frankly, while we are at it, why not just cap car speed in civilian vehicles? Of course, I am being facetious. Educating the population to be safe, responsible drivers is far more valuable and applicable to broader societal consciousness than brow-beating anyone into driving more slowly or safely. Furthermore, this particular application of influence is in my view a threat or pressure to drive below 110 kmh, the former likely if you are a non-Christian who would interpret the symbol as simply one of ‘death’ (i.e. the tombstone).

  6. Leon Jacobs says:

    I agree with 3. Sirona.

    The idea is good. The execution is off-putting.

    A coloured bar following the circular track of the meter, on an orange to red gradient would be far more effective IMHO.

  7. Chris Ungar says:

    What would Jesus do?

  8. BK says:

    Heh. I like it. I’m definitely the demographic though.

  9. Edgar says:

    I second the option to cap max speeds. People don’t follow the rules – Having the car max out at 80 Miles per hour would be perfect. 60 Miles if you are a teen would also be perfect.

  10. Bobsyeruncle says:

    I like it. However, since I regularly get passed on the freeway doing less than 120 km/h, I think the cross placement is a bit conservative and likely to be ignored.

    I also think I’d be a lot more careful with my speed if my car made a grinding noise when I passed a certain limit.

  11. ryanve says:

    Those are the holy speeds! Agreed, skulls and crossbones might work better but also could have a reverse effect…

  12. Scott says:

    Now if someone has a “god is my co-pilot” bumper sticker wouldn’t that encourage them?

  13. I prefer color code. Do you think an audio signal (an alarm) beyind a threshold speed will help?

  14. Todd says:

    I actually find this offensive. It would be more successful, perhaps, if the manufacturer put pictures of babies, puppies and grandparents. The cross is just gross.

  15. Beth says:

    I think the pictures of loved ones (such as Todd cited) would be very effective. Has anyone ever driven in the South where they have the construction signs that say, “Slow down my daddy/mommy/etc. work here?” Those signs certainly make me think twice.

  16. Stephan says:

    Well, on the German Autobahn the left part of the odometer would be much more dangerous than the right part.