Forensic Research Archive of Manipulation and Exploitation
Be watchful for danger: look every way before crossing, 1942 US poster: Pedestrian-safety sheet in two panels

Be watchful for danger: look every way before crossing

Pedestrian-safety sheet in two panels. Top: a lookout in a hooded coat and goggles scans with binoculars toward a steamer at sea, under 'Be watchful for danger'. Bottom: a figure on a kerb with arrows pointing to cars from several directions, under 'Look every way before crossing'. The wartime lookout is set beside the traffic message to lend it the same alertness (transfer), with a mild danger cue.

Propaganda techniques used in this poster

TransferFear appeal
Date
1942
Period
Second World War
Made by
American Automobile Association, Safety & Traffic Engineering Dept. ("Victory Heroes" series)
Region
North America
Country
United States
Medium
Poster
Issuer type
NGO
Regime
Roosevelt Administration
Leader
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Audience
Domestic public
Purpose
Warn or inform
Themes
Home front, War and the military
Event
World War II
Regime
Roosevelt administration
Leader
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Source
Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
Source
U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Posters, retrieved October 4, 2026
Rights
Public domain (U.S. government work)
American Automobile Association. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-1299 (NAID 514905).

Text on the object

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

BE WATCHFUL
FOR
DANGER
LOOK EVERY
WAY
BEFORE
CROSSING
[imprint:] S. S. P. No. 144
Copyright 1942
American Automobile Association
Safety & Traffic Engineering Dept.
"VICTORY HEROES" SERIES
Accidents Are Avoidable
Alertness Avoids Accidents
[logo:] AAA

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