Metro Trains. Young people don't listen to Public Safety Messages.

• Project Information

  Metro Trains
  Dumb Ways to Die

  Challenge

  Accidents and deaths among young people on Melbourne’s Metro train system had been on the rise for years. But public safety messages generally don’t work on young people. We had to find a way to get them to care about being safe around trains.

  Strategy

  Rather than use shock tactics, we used entertainment and branded content to engage our young audience, and then convince them to pledge to be safe around trains.

  Solution

  Trains travel in a straight line.

  The idea was pretty simple, If you get hit by one, it’s really one of the dumbest ways you can die.

  First we launched a song on iTunes and a music video on YouTube. Then a book, a smartphone game, interactive outdoor posters, radio advertising and tumblr GIFS. A karaoke version of the song was even played on train stations. All channels led to our website, where people could learn more about safe behaviour around trains and take the pledge to not be dumb.

  Results

  The video became the most shared 'Public Safety Message' in history. Young people viewed, created, shared and even purchased our rail safety message in unprecedented numbers. And just four months after launch, the Melbourne Metro has recorded a 21% reduction in accidents and deaths compared to the same time last year.