3M Austria

Stopping Geisterfahrer

3M Scotchlite Diamond Grade films for round-the-clock safety. Meeting a geisterfahrer [literally a ghostdriver: it refers to a driver on the wrong carriageway of the motorway, i.e. driving against the traffic flow] is every driver's nightmare. Accidents caused by geisterfahrer have cost 61 lives on Austrian motorways in the last ten years. A joint campaign by the Ministry of Transport, the Austrian Motorway Advertising Association, ORF [the Austrian public-service broadcasting company] and 3M Austria is intended to get the geisterfahrer on the right track at last.

The plan is to erect highly reflective warning signs with the legend "STOP" and "FALSCH" (= "WRONG") at the end of all motorway exit slip roads. The warning side of the sign will be coated in fluorescent Scotchlite Diamond Grade foil from 3M.

These foils stand out clearly from their surroundings even in daylight because of their fluorescence. Drivers therefore have the opportunity to react in good time and, above all, correctly. The prismatic technology of the new film results in substantially greater reflectivity. These signs can be clearly seen even under half-light conditions or in darkness and even from difficult angles.

No additional burden for taxpayers The project is being funded by advertising on the reverse of the signs. This means that it entails no costs for the state or the taxpayer. On the contrary: 70% of the net revenue from advertising income will be routed into the road safety coffers. Further cost savings will be generated by the reduction in the number of accidents.