By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Wacky warning contest names finalists
bike warning
One brochure warns bicycle riders, "The action depicted in this brochure is potentially dangerous. The riders seen are experts or professionals." At least some of the children pictured have training wheels on their bikes. The photos dimensions have been distorted by the News. - photo by Photo provided.

 

Online:

Center for America: http://www.centerforamerica.org/

Center for Justice & Democracy: http://www.centerjd.org/

 

 

DETROIT — Ballpoint pen-chewers, take note: The cap in your mouth can obstruct breathing if swallowed.

Common sense? Apparently for speakers of French, Spanish and German. The warning appears only in the English section of the multilingual instructions from the pen manufacturer, according to the creator of the Wacky Warning Labels contest.

The pen cap caveat is among five finalists announced Tuesday in the 14th annual contest that calls out silly warning labels and rails against lawsuits it deems frivolous.

"The lawsuit problem is a uniquely American problem," said Bob Dorigo Jones, who started the contest that's sponsored by the Atlanta-based nonprofit group The Center for America. Its stated mission is to "reduce barriers to free enterprise."

"People in other countries do not sue when they cause an injury to themselves because their systems don't allow it," said Dorigo Jones, a Novi, Mich.-based senior fellow of the center.

Other finalists include "Does not supply oxygen" on a dust mask and "Avoid drowning. Remove safety cover from spa when in use" on a hot tub cover. A more high-concept warning making the list is this label for a leather handgun holster designed to look like a personal digital assistant: "For gun only, not a functional day planner."

Another warning on the list tells would-be bicycle riders, "The action depicted in this brochure is potentially dangerous. The riders seen are experts or professionals." At least some of the children pictured have training wheels on their bikes.

The nominations were selected from entries submitted to The Center for America by mail. A live studio audience of a national television show is expected to select the three cash prize winners next month from the five finalists.

Dorigo Jones said he's observed that excessive warning labels seem to defeat their purpose.

"We have become so over-warned in America," he said. "Many warning-label experts ... believe that warnings have gotten to the point that people ignore them now."

The executive director of a consumer group that aims to defend the civil justice system sees it differently.

"Litigation in this country is dropping like a rock in every state," said Joanne Doroshow of the Center for Justice & Democracy.

"To be of more benefit to the country we should take a look at people who have been injured by dangerous products who are no longer able to get into court because of tort restrictions that have passed. ... That's a far bigger problem," she said.

 

Sign up for our E-Newsletters
Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program announces grant
Funds earmarked for Share the Road initiatives
Placeholder Image

Grant funding totaling $93,458 has been awarded to the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program (GMSP) by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. The approved funding will be used to increase motorcycle safety awareness and outreach by encouraging all motorists and motorcyclists to Share the Road.

“The need for motorcycle safety programs is greater than ever, and this support from GOHS enables motorcycle safety programs and impaired riding initiatives to reach riders and non-riders alike” said Commissioner Spencer R. Moore. “Thank you GOHS for helping (the Department of Driver Services) and GMSP educate and encourage all Georgia drivers to ‘Share the Road.’”

The grant allows DDS to further develop the Motorcycle Safety Outreach Program by continuing to fund a position to promote state and national safety initiatives. The GMSP outreach coordinator researches, coordinates and helps maintain an adequate presence at industry events, local schools and colleges, regional meetings and festivals to increase awareness of motorcycles on the roadways and provide the most current information on motorcycle safety initiatives.

Visitors to a GMSP event display are also encouraged to sign up for regular newsletters which provide additional safety information, as well as review the motorcycle safety message on other social media platforms.

GMSP regulates motorcycle training for new riders, as well as seasoned riders, who want to learn how to ride a motorcycle legally and safely. The program is based on a continuum of learning and therefore offers three entry points to rider education.

Students participating in the Basic Riders Course do not need specialized motorcycle equipment, as the GMSP provides both a motorcycle and a helmet to class participants. Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a 90-day license waiver card that exempts them from both the written and on-cycle skills tests needed to obtain a Class M license in the state of Georgia.

Please visit the DDS website at www.dds.georgia.gov for many online services including the convenience of enrolling in a GMSP training class and accessing many licensing services.

Latest Obituaries