Just Slow Down feedback

We've had some amazing feedback on the new Just Slow Down campaign. I think I'm particularly pleased when people say that it is part of their watercooler discussion and I've heard that from more than one source. I think with this campaign we've really started getting people talking and absorbing the message.

I'm going to copy some of the best comments from the Tell us Your Thoughts section of the Just Slow Down website. Negative comments have focussed on it being too graphic. I was expecting that sort of feedback so I'm not surprised. But overall, the vast majority of people are very generous with their compliments.


"All I can say is "Oh my god!" What a powerful message. I hope these videos are being shown to all new drivers. I wish there was a way to ensure that every driver sees them. Kudos to WPS for the message they are giving us all and the chance to maybe prevent the next death on our roads! Thank you!!!"

"I just saw your commercial on TV. It was extremely powerful. People have been talking about it at work and I wondered what the fuss was about but after seeing it I now know. I have to believe that this will have a big impact and make people think twice about speeding."

"I think every school should show these videos. They are incredibly heartbreaking but real. They send a powerful message that needs to be addressed. If I person makes the choice to slow down after watching this video it has been a success. I am also proud of the two men that cooperated with the Winnipeg Police Service in creating this video as it must have been very hard for them."

"Definitely gets the point across. My sympathy goes out to those affected. I would like to see this become a national campaign."

"These video segments/vignettes are difficult to watch and tug at a person's heartstrings. This type of message should be presented in every driver training class in this country and should be broadcast as free-of-charge PSA's across the country. As heart-wrenching and difficult as it is to watch there is no more powerful way to make an impression than through raw, human emotion. Congratulations to the WPS for their efforts in putting together this website. "

"Very powerful and heartbreakingly sad. The video with the young men should be mandatory viewing in all Drivers Education classes."

"Excellent all round. I think the more true stories with images and videos the better chance we have of breaking through to the people who stil don't care and/or think it can't happen to them."

"This message is especially poignant to those in the small town of Swan River. We have watched these young men grow up and feel both pride in their accomplishments and heartbreak at their loss."


"Thanks. Thank you for getting this message out there."

This campaign is excellent. I think it is proof that the Police are really out there for other people. Thank you for doing this.

"I would like to see both these videos aired on TV. I know the internet reaches a lot of people but I think having it on television will have more of an impact and reach out to even more people. The video with the little girl in it affected me... I'm just starting my family and I can't even imagine."

I hope these videos are not limited to the internet. I hope they are run as tv commercials. They are very touching and hopefully people can relate to them and be as deeply affected as I was. I don't think any parent can watch the one with the little girl in it and not cry."

"I feel this is an extremely important campaign. Thank you for all who have shared and the work that everyone has put into this website and the commercials."

"What an extremely important campaign. Thank you to all those who are making this possible. "
Fred Hollands, Paramedic Firefighter

And thank you all for your comments and for appreciating the sincere desire of the Winnipeg Police Service to protect Winnipeg citizens.

A very successful launch.

I couldn't be more pleased with the launch of Just Slow Down. In addition to the introduction of the Phase 3 webisode we shot last summer, we unveiled the new true-life story of Tyler Burnside and Michael Johnston, survivors of a horrible speed-related crash on Bishop Grandin...a crash that claimed the lives of their two friends Adam and Tyler.

As of today, we've had 4,215 youtube hits on the webisode and 5,763 hits on the true-life story.

This is really exciting. Add to that some very positive comments on the Tell us Your Thoughts page on the website and I feel we can be very proud of a job well done.

Extreme thanks to the production crew for the webisode including the amazing Adam Sliwinski, kind and generous buddy Robin Lindala, Joao Holowka, Ben Wytinck, Shaun Gray, Alana Pona, Jen Santoro, Allan Hawkins and the rest of the crew....the incredible cast, (thanks Kari Casting) Trevor Mirosh, Gary Shaw, John Webster and Anet Ducharme in Vancouver and the clients who allow us to do our best work.

Special thanks to Tyler Burnside and Michael Johnston for courageously telling their story, K.B. and the production crew at Midcan, Tony Wytinck, my knight in shining armor and Gord Higham who puts up with my last minute begging calls.

I am so privileged to work with the Winnipeg Police Service and to do what I get to do.

If you haven't seen them yet....please check out the two videos at www.justslowdown.ca and if you feel so inclined, share them with family and friends. I do believe we are saving lives here.