Photo By Gail

I’m long overdue for a Shark Attack post — and this one’s an absolute killer. I recently spotted an ad from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that stopped me in my tracks. Plastered on the back of a newsstand in Midtown Manhattan, the image features a gaping shark’s maw, all teeth and terror, lunging straight at you. The message? Don’t look at your phone while driving. Because distracted driving kills — and this ad isn’t mincing words (or flesh).

In case you’re not familiar, the NHTSA is a U.S. Department of Transportation agency that works to reduce traffic-related injuries and deaths. With this ad, they’ve gone full-on Jaws, tapping into our primal fear of being eaten alive to remind us to keep our eyes on the road.

Speaking of Jaws, consider this post my unofficial tribute to the film’s 50th Anniversary, which just passed. Spielberg’s classic still has bite — as does public safety messaging. Stay alert, or you might just become chum.

Shark Attack in Your Car!