"Control or Speed"

31 March 2026

60s

He's lost control.

Fair play to the young driver in this road safety ad—he gets it spot on right away. Rather than gun it on country roads like it's open season, he takes care around curves and corners, which gives him plenty of time to brake when cars are stopped ahead. If the film stopped there, everyone would be as happy as Larry (whoever he is).

Director Michael J Ferns instead shows us what happens when the driver puts his foot down the accelerator a little harder. He pays more attention to the beat of the music than puddles on the road, then slams on the brakes just in time. So long as the ad ends there, fellow motorists, plus the father and daughter walking on the side of the road, have nothing to worry about.

Not only is that not the case, Ferns and the Department for Infrastructure go full measure with the last drive. They want viewers to see and feel the consequences of speed—as a result, there's no hiding from the victims of the crash as they lie motionless on the tarmac. When drivers choose speed over control on roads like these, it could be the worst decision they'll ever make.

UK

Government Departments