This film covers the early history of post World War II educational films, especially those involving traffic safety by the Highway Safety Foundation under direction of Richard Wayman. In the name of promoting safe driving in teenagers, these films became notorious for their gory depiction of accidents to shock their audiences to make their point. The film also covers the role of safety films of this era, their effect on North American teenage culture, the struggle between idealism and lurid exploitation and how they reflected the larger society concerns of the time that adults projected onto their youth.
Direction
Bret Wood balances archival reverence with lurid historical context.
Editing
Jarring cuts between wholesome narration and mangled metal.
Director
Bret Wood
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
These films created the 'scared straight' template later copied by DARE and anti-drug campaigns. The Highway Safety Foundation's business model — selling trauma to schools — made Wayman wealthy.
The most infamous reel, 'Signal 30' (1959), was so effective at inducing vomiting that some schools required nurse supervision. Its creator later admitted the goriest footage was deliberately sought out.
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