Urinal Cakes Speak To Drink Drivers

The US state of Michigan hopes to keep drunks off the road by using a special woman's voice in men's bathrooms. Talking urinal-deodoriser cakes have been distributed to Michigan Licensed Beverage Association members in Wayne County, which includes Detroit, state officials announced.

A recorded message will play reminding men who step up to the urinals to call a cab or a friend, if needed, to get home safely.

"Not only do we want to turn some heads and get people talking, we hope everyone takes the message to heart," Michael L. Prince, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, said in a statement.

The motion-activated messages are part of a statewide Fourth of July education and enforcement effort. The federally funded drink-driving crackdown runs through until Sunday.

"At first it may be seen as humourous, but the seriousness of the message will stand out and encourage patrons to find a safe ride home," said Michigan Licensed Beverage Association Executive Director Scott T. Ellis.

Talking urinal cakes have been used in other states for similar efforts.

Story courtesy of The Courier Mail. Video courtesy of The Washington Post.

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