The obsession of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways is rooted in the pursuit of safety, but it seems to be doing the opposite. Uniform signs and crosswalks make it easy for drivers to recognise them at a glance, allowing high-speed driving. Instead, suppose we were to foster creativity in colour and design. In that case, drivers may end up going slower to understand what they’re looking at, leading to fewer chances of traffic accidents. Read full article here
Research
Improving media literacy could boost trust towards the news, IMPRESS report suggests
The UK media is regulated by the likes of IPSO and Ofcom. The report by press regulator IMPRESS highlights the link between low levels of media literacy and trust in the news. The study found that three quarters of those who did not know if journalists were regulated did not trust the news. It suggests that improving media literacy is one way to stem the erosion of trust, and shows that audiences have an appetite for information on news processes. Stakeholders need to collaborate in order to rebuild trust in the news, and independent media is well placed to do this. Read full article here