Colorado’s Talking Urinals Give Advice to Drunks: Could this Deter Drunk Driving?

A lot of people see and hear things that might not necessarily be real when drinking alcohol. But men in some bar restrooms in Colorado will know that they are hearing is real when their urinal begins to talk to them. Could this deter drunk driving?
“As soon as you start your business, it plays for 15 seconds, stops and then is ready to play again for the next person,” CDOT spokeswoman Amy Ford described to The Denver Post.
The Interactive Urinal Communicators have motion sensors that detect when a male patron approaches the urinal. It starts its message with “Keep a constant stream on this urinal cake and let’s see how drunk you are!” It finishes with the message to avoid drunk driving.
Most would agree this is a definitely unconventional approach, but some would also say that it is sexist, as the approach targets men. But the state of Colorado has a reason for this. In the last year, 36% of all alcohol-related fatalities were men ages 18-36.
Another part of the new The Heat is On Campaign is to change the slogan “Don’t Drink and Drive” to “Drink and Don’t Drive.” Experts are hoping that changing things up a bit will encourage people to perk up and listen and reduce drunk driving.
As we’ve learned over the years, when people hear ‘Don’t Drink and Drive,’ a lot of times they just tune it out,” Ford continued. “We recognize people make that choice to drink. We just want them to do it safely and get home safely.”
It will be interesting to see whether or not this campaign has any impact on drunk driving accidents and injuries. As a center that focuses on private drug rehab and alcohol recovery, it’s important to pay attention to what can help promote safe living. Will patrons give up their keys, call a friend, or take a cab home in response to a talking urinal? Time will tell.
Cliffside Malibu, an addiction treatment center in California tracks news like this in order to better understand what can help reduce alcoholism and addictive compulsions.

When you recognize harmful patterns and seek treatment, you can increase your chances of leading a healthier life. Cliffside Malibu is here to support you in your search for an alcohol-free life. We believe you deserve to have a private, comfortable and luxurious environment as you navigate your journey to a sober life. Our center allows you to explore your mental health needs, creates a treatment plan that is unique to you and allows you to discover beneficial coping skills. To learn more about alcohol treatment at Cliffside Malibu, call (855) 403-5641.