INTERACTIVE ‘face-in-the-hole’ display boards are being used to engage with residents to promote road safety.

Taking a lead from the traditional British seaside ‘face-in-the-hole’ boards, the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) displays use humour and various behaviour change techniques to share road safety messages.

The different displays pick up on the biggest dangers to drivers, known as the ‘fatal four’:

These are:

  • Drink driving and the importance of using a taxi or having a designated driver
  • Keeping mobile phones switched off or out of reach while driving
  • The dangers of speeding
  • The need to always use seatbelts, both as a driver and as a passenger

Road safety manager Christine Sharma said: “We’ll be using the boards at our Safe Drive Stay Alive shows and community events in place of our previous pull-up banners.

“It’s proven that people are more likely to change their behaviour when something resonates with them, and using humour as our initial approach makes our messages more memorable. In addition, anyone who tries out the boards will probably have a photo taken and share it on their social media accounts, which helps to share our advice even further.”