Graphic city of Ottawa jaywalking ad part of a 'behaviour change campaign' on city roads, staff say
CTV
City of Ottawa staff are defending the graphic nature of a new online advertisement aimed at discouraging jaywalking on city streets, saying it is part of a campaign focusing on behaviours will "depict the serious nature of road safety and lead to greater awareness to all road users of their responsibilities."
City of Ottawa staff are defending the graphic nature of a new online advertisement aimed at discouraging jaywalking on city streets, saying it is part of a behavioural change campaign that will "depict the serious nature of road safety and lead to greater awareness to all road users of their responsibilities."
The city launched a series of test ads this week in advance of an official road safety campaign this fall, focusing on the behaviour of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists on roads across the city.
One advertisement has the image of a bloodied cyclist lying on the ground, with the caption: "You jaywalked to save time. But you lost it. Forever. Cross only where it is safe."
Coun. Shawn Menard said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that his office and Coun. Marty Carr requested staff remove the ad immediately, while Coun. Sean Devine expressed his "concern with this ad and the messaging it conveys."
Several social media users condemned the ads on Saturday.
"We continually flame road violence as an outcome of personal choices yet we all know very well it's the result of our cities choices," Tom Flood said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
