New Zealand Transport Agency have released one of the most interesting anti drink-driving advertisements we’ve ever seen.
Drink-driving remains a serious problem for both Australia and our World Cup-winning cousins across the water, but the usual government approach to these problems is the ‘stick’ rather than the ‘carrot’ approach. Scare tactics are rife in advertising of this nature, which has been used to spectacularly effect in trying to curb under smoking in this country, but not so successfully in other realms, particularly underage drinking.
This ad goes the opposite way, trying to humorously deconstruct the repercussions of the protagonist’s mate having a car accident, him having to live with his annoying family and have his ghost hanging around all the time. Interestingly, the ad also targets young Maoris almost exclusively. It’s the same kind of deadpan, semi-serious humour that made Flight Of The Conchords such a hit, and we’re predicting it’ll have a resounding effect on young men across the country.
Sure beats ‘Better get a lawyer, son.’
