---
title: Before crossing, look both ways
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/before-crossing-look-both-ways-1941/
description: 'Text-only safety sheet in green and orange-red: BEFORE CROSSING, LOOK in large red capitals, then BOTH WAYS. A small credit says it was prepared'
section: Collection
---

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3. Before crossing, look both ways

[![Before crossing, look both ways, 1941 US poster: Text-only safety sheet in green and orange-red](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/before-crossing-look-both-ways-1941.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/before-crossing-look-both-ways-1941.jpg)

# Before crossing, look both ways

Text-only safety sheet in green and orange-red: BEFORE CROSSING, LOOK in large red capitals, then BOTH WAYS. A small credit says it was prepared by the American Automobile Association for the National Pedestrian Protection Contest. No technique beyond a plain repeated instruction is visible; the closest label is a simple slogan.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Glittering generalities](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/glittering-generalities/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
BEFORE CROSSING
LOOK
BOTH WAYS
Prepared by
American Automobile Association
for use in connection with the
NATIONAL PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION CONTEST
for Cities, States and Schools
AAA
```

[← Become a Marine officer candidate](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/become-a-marine-officer-candidate-1941/) [Behind the eagle stand the forests →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/behind-the-eagle-stand-the-forests-1941/)

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- [Gypsum alabaster slab inscribed in cuneiform, from Nimrud (Kalhu), reign of Ashurnasirpal II](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/nimrud-slab-ashurnasirpal-ii-inscription-883bce/) (Neo Assyrian Empire · 0000 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Colour lithograph of the Latin text of the Res Gestae Divi Augusti on the wall of the temple of Roma and Augustus at Ancyra, with the heading in large letters (Perrot, Guillaume and Delbet, 1872)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/lithograph-res-gestae-ancyra-heading-0014/) (Roman Empire · 0014 · Card stacking, Glittering generalities)
- [Bronze sestertius of Trajan, reverse S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S C, the emperor on horseback riding down an enemy](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/sestertius-trajan-optimo-principi-0103/) (Roman Empire · 0103 · Testimonial, Glittering generalities)
- [Gold solidus of Constantine I, reverse RESTITVTORI LIBERTATIS](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/solidus-constantine-i-restitutori-libertatis-0313/) (Roman Empire · 0313 · Glittering generalities)
- [Gold solidus of Justinian I, reverse VICTORIA AVGGG with Victory holding a Christogram staff](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/solidus-justinian-i-victoria-avggg-0538/) (Byzantine Empire · 0538 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I (Royal Museums Greenwich version), oil on panel](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/armada-portrait-elizabeth-i-greenwich-1588/) (England · 1588 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Medal of Elizabeth I: portrait in a ruff, reverse an ark on stormy waves with SAEVAS TRANQVILLA PER VNDAS (18th-century aftercast of a 1588 model)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/elizabeth-i-ark-medal-aftercast-1588/) (England · 1588 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Frontispiece to Eikon Basilike, The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie in his Solitudes and Sufferings (Hollar, 1649)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/eikon-basilike-frontispiece-hollar-1649/) (Dutch Republic · 1649 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)