No to traffic signs and red labels

[MARK FORREST]

Wow! Some interesting psychology and we are certainly bombarded with a huge amount of information whilst we drive, from both inside and outside the vehicle. I am always amazed on driving courses how many signs you notice for the first time, even on familiar routes!
 
This reminds me of some similar crazy pseudo-psychology in the UK. A number of years ago, all clear infusion bags that contained potentially dangerous additives, such as potassium or local anaesthetic, used to have a large red label which could be even seen from the end of the ward. \there was an incident in a local hospital, theatre where an epidural infusion was accidentally administered IV and the patient sadly died. As a knee jerk reaction to this a senior pharmacist decide that the best way to manage this very very rare problem was to remove all red 'danger' labels from additive containing bags. Her further recommendation was that we should all read the label and not really on a danger label!!
 
Maybe we should remove all read hazard labels in our environment?! I wonder if she has also removed the brakes off her car as she never drives too fast?!
 
Change is not always a positive step!
 
Mark F
UK


----- Original Message ----
From: khumar huseynova <khumarhuse at yahoo.ca>
To: Trauma Trauma <trauma-list at trauma.org>
Sent: Saturday, 5 July, 2008 7:23:02 PM
Subject: No to traffic signs?

Just read an article in Toronto Star about John Staddon's talk on cutting down on the number of traffic signs placed in roads, at intersections etc. Apparently removing the signs, esp from busy intersections, forces dirvers to focus more on the road than on the signs. The rationale is the expectation from the drivers, i.e., expecting them to be more responsible than stupid (sic), and making right decisions instead of being distracted by the signs that tell them what to do. Apparently, this is being practiced in Europe (England for ex.), and it's led to reduction of traffic accidents by 40%.
Obviously, there are many other factors in this equation that might have led to fewer accidents. I am not familiar with the studies in this field and was wondering if anyone knew. What does the evidence suggest? Anyone in trauma has looked at this particular issue (i.e., association bw traffic signals and MVAs) recently and compared Europe to NAmerica? Apparently this is also practiced in Fl. Would appreciate yoru thoguhts.
P.S. John Staddon is a psychologist at DukeU. 


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