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Sultry urinals dampen drunks
17/02/2007 13:47 - (SA)
San Francisco - Urinals in the American state of New Mexico have a few words to say to drinking men before they zip their pants, leave bar restrooms and head for their cars: Only drive if you're sober.
Electronic urinal inserts bought for a pilot programme launched by the state department of transportation this week sense when someone is in position - and then a female voice delivers a sultry warning not to drive drunk.
The message warns about the dangers of crashing or being caught by police and then playfully concludes with "Your future is in your hand".
"The woman's voice is flirtatious yet stern," said Tom Trowbridge of the New Mexico department of transportation, which bought 500 Urinal Communicators from Long Island-based Wizmark Technologies for $22.50 each.
The devices were distributed to bars and restaurants in the southwestern state.
'There is no more captive audience'
"Usually the last place a man goes before he gets behind the wheel of a car after drinking is the bathroom. There is no more captive audience than a man at a urinal."
Richard Deutsch of Wizmark Technologies told AFP that he had come up with the idea for talking urinal devices while using a restroom in a United States airport, when he realised he had little to occupy his attention while relieving himself.
"It's urination with imagination," said Deutsch, a chiropractor with a background in bio-engineering. "We are doing our best to incorporate a little humour and a little dry wit."
Wizmark devices are motion activated and have microprocessors powered by batteries that last about three months.
They were programmed to allow time for men to "get unzipped and be truly captured" before beginning the message, Deutsch said.
'It makes you think'
The woman greets "visitors" with "Hey there big guy, having a few drinks? Then listen up".
She goes on to firmly contend that it would be smarter for a drinker to rely on a cab or a sober friend for a ride home than to risk driving inebriated.
"It makes you think, especially because a man isn't used to a woman talking to him at those moments," said Trowbridge.
He said the programme could be expanded if it proved effective.
"Will it end drunk driving? Of course not. But if it saves a couple of lives it is worth it."
Wizmark interactive urinal communicators have been used in other US states to deter drunken driving, smoking, and sexually transmitted diseases, Deutsch said.
They were also used to promote the 2006 Universal Pictures film Let's Go To Prison, said Wizmark.
- AFP
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