She Who Will Be Obeyed!: I was not the only one disturbed by Nisssan's Ad

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July 01, 2005

I was not the only one disturbed by Nisssan's Ad

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 29, 2005 – In response to a protest this week by Operation Lifesaver and its safety advocates, Nissan Motor Company has decided to pull a television advertisement for its Altima SE-R that showed highway-rail grade crossing gates shifting to block a train from crossing in front of a driver.
“We are pleased to hear that Nissan shares Operation Lifesaver’s dedication to safety,” said Operation Lifesaver Inc. President Gerri L. Hall. “In addition to deciding to stop airing the commercial, Nissan officials have expressed a willingness to work cooperatively with Operation Lifesaver in the future. We applaud Nissan’s timely action in this matter.”

Operation Lifesaver, Inc., the nonprofit, national highway-rail safety education organization, objects to advertising or programming that depicts dangerous behavior around tracks or trains.

Operation Lifesaver wrote to Nissan’s President and CEO, Carlos Ghosn, on June 28, explaining its objection to the commercial. “Even though most viewers will realize the scenario is unlikely, the overall effect is to reinforce people’s dangerously incorrect perception that trains can stop for vehicles in their path. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth – it can take a train the length of 18 football fields to stop after brakes are applied. The stark reality is that about every two hours in the United States, a vehicle or person is hit by a train,” Hall’s letter explained.

I'm glad that Nissan got the hint. I thought it was a very stupid and dangerous ad when I saw it.

Posted by Beth at July 1, 2005 07:35 AM