Pretend People Could Save Lives

Law enforcement agencies constantly try to solve the question of how to slow down drivers in residential areas. It came as a surprise when a small-town man from Ohio accidentally stumbled upon the answer.

Maggie Rodriguez reported on Wednesday's The Early Show on Mike Wood's business advertisement that is slowing down speeding cars.

If you drive on North Main Street in West Salem, Ohio, you will notice what appear to be children playing on a lawn. But this is only an illusion, as it is merely a few of Wood's cut-outs. Initially, Wood simply wanted to advertise his sign business, but the cut-outs ended up playing a safety role.

"The slowing traffic down was just a side benefit. We didn't realize that was going to happen, but people kept saying, 'Why do you have the kids out on the lawn like that?'" Wood said.

Those who passed by thought that these cut-outs of his kids were so real that they became afraid to hit them. Wood said. People who passed by "said they're really careful when they go by because they think they are kids so they slow down because they never know for sure if they are real or not."

The cut-outs are pictures printed on vinyl and then attached to a durable, weatherproof board.

One of Wood's most recognizable cut-outs is one of his son, Randy, a deputy, aiming a radar gun at oncoming traffic. "It slows down traffic," Randy said, "because they think I'm out here running radar."

This unique safety measure is spreading around the country. In Los Angeles, LAPD has contacted Wood regarding his cut-outs. He expressed excitement about his safety measure that he discovered by accident.

"It's something we never imagined and if it could have an effect around the country to save lives and keep people protected, that's the greatest honor you can have," Wood said.