Detroit, Jun 3: The US state of Michigan is hoping to keep drunks off the road with the help of a special device in men's toilets, featuring an attention-grabbing woman's voice.
Talking urinal-deodoriser cakes have been distributed to Michigan Licensed Beverage Association members in Wayne County, including Detroit.
A recorded message reminds men who step up to the urinals to call a cab or a friend, if needed, to get home safely. Bay, Ottawa and Delta counties also are also set to install them.
“We wanted to get people talking about designating a sober driver and getting a ride home,” said Melody Kindraka, of the Michigan State Police Office of Highway Safety Planning.
“Men are three times more likely to drive drunk than women, so by going into bathrooms we can target men specifically with the urinal communicator,” she continued.
The motion-activated messages are part of a state-wide Fourth of July education and enforcement effort. It also includes stepped up patrols in 26 counties involving a number of agencies.
The Old Shillelagh pub in downtown Detroit is testing out the talking urinal device. “It's something different. Maybe people will pay more attention to it, as opposed to just another sign on the wall,” said bar manager Angie Williams.
However, not everyone is convinced that a talking toilet is the best way forward.
“Oh, man, I can get that from my wife, come on,” said one man in Detroit when he was shown the device. Talking urinal cakes have been used in other states for similar efforts.
Talking urinal-deodoriser cakes have been distributed to Michigan Licensed Beverage Association members in Wayne County, including Detroit.
A recorded message reminds men who step up to the urinals to call a cab or a friend, if needed, to get home safely. Bay, Ottawa and Delta counties also are also set to install them.
“We wanted to get people talking about designating a sober driver and getting a ride home,” said Melody Kindraka, of the Michigan State Police Office of Highway Safety Planning.
“Men are three times more likely to drive drunk than women, so by going into bathrooms we can target men specifically with the urinal communicator,” she continued.
The motion-activated messages are part of a state-wide Fourth of July education and enforcement effort. It also includes stepped up patrols in 26 counties involving a number of agencies.
The Old Shillelagh pub in downtown Detroit is testing out the talking urinal device. “It's something different. Maybe people will pay more attention to it, as opposed to just another sign on the wall,” said bar manager Angie Williams.
However, not everyone is convinced that a talking toilet is the best way forward.
“Oh, man, I can get that from my wife, come on,” said one man in Detroit when he was shown the device. Talking urinal cakes have been used in other states for similar efforts.
