The Post’s Clarence Williams alerts us to the new ad campaign from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments‘s Street Smart program, which aims to scare the bejeezus out of drivers and pedestrians in the hopes that we’ll all be a lot more careful out on the road. A new study shows that on average more than 80 people die and 2,000 people are injured a year in pedestrian accidents in the Washington region.

In addition to bus and transit shelter posters like the one at the right, which depict pedestrians being hit by cars and buses, MWCOG is also running a radio spot containing screaming and brake sounds that’s right out of a horror film. All of the Street Smart ads are available for download from their web site, though we’re having trouble downloading the radio spot, which was produced in both English and Spanish. The Post is also streaming it on their web site (although unfortunately you’ll have to sit through one of their ads before you can listen). The radio spot begins with the screams, brakes and collision noises. Then a Hollywood thriller-style announcer comes on and says the following in a foreboding tone:

When your car hits a pedestrian, speed kills. At 40 mph, the person almost always dies. At 25, they might live. Drive like their life depends on it. Slow down. Watch for pedestrians. Stop for them at crosswalks. Area police are strictly enforcing safety laws. It’s Street Smart of D.C., Maryland and Virginia. streetsmart.mwcog.org.

The Post article quotes officials saying their scare tactics are purposeful — they want all of us to be afraid of being hit by a bus. Personally, ever since I saw that video of two women being struck and killed by a Metrobus last year, I’ve been plenty scared already.