Michigan males intent on celebrating the Fourth of July holiday with a few liveners are advised that when the time comes to send the booze back to the brewers, it'll be the urinal, rather than the beer, that's doing the talking.

The Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) is asking bar and restaurant owners in Bay, Delta, Ottawa and Wayne counties to deploy "interactive urinal communicators" as part of a state-wide clampdown on drink-driving.

As soon as sozzled punters get down to business, the motion-sensing device's female voice advises: "Listen up. That's right, I'm talking to you. Had a few drinks? Maybe a few too many?

"Then do yourself and everyone else a favour: Call a sober friend or a cab. Oh, and don't forget to wash your hands."

Michael Prince, OHSP head honcho, explained: "While this message isn't new, the method of delivery certainly is. Not only do we want to turn some heads and get people talking, we hope everyone takes the message to heart."

The piss-taking cake is made by Wizmark, which back in 2007 helped New Mexico cops deliver a similar message to local chaps, albeit with this splendid sign-off: "Make the smart choice tonight, don’t drink and drive! Remember, your future is in your hand." ®

Bootnote

Thanks to Paul Stregevsky for the tip-off.

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• 'Your future is in your hand,' says talking urinal (14 February 2007)
• Interactive urinal cake aimed at ravers, C&W fans (13 October 2004)