Škoda’s “Christmas Slow Zones” Aim for a Safer and Calmer Holiday Season

Christmas week is one of the most accident-prone weeks of the year on the roads. Factors like snow, ice, slippery conditions, and increased holiday stress lead to a surge in traffic accidents. A particular concern is speeding in residential areas, where families with children often live and play close to traffic. Signs like “Slow Down” and “Children Playing” are meant to remind drivers to reduce speed, but during the winter months, these signs are often harder to see due to darkness and snow. 

To highlight this issue, Škoda has launched the campaign "Christmas Slow Zones"—a creative and communicative initiative focused on safety and presence during the holiday season. As part of the campaign, Škoda transformed a residential street by decorating it with Christmas lights extending along the properties. Integrated into the lighting are messages such as “SLOW DOWN,” “KIDS PLAYING,” and “MERRY CHRISTMAS” to remind drivers to drive carefully while spreading holiday cheer. 

"Christmas is about togetherness and care. With 'Christmas Slow Zones,' we aim to combine the message of traffic safety with the values of the holiday season. By slowing down, we create safety for families with children and a calmer, more secure environment for everyone." says Stefan Nygren, marketing director at Škoda Sweden. 

The initiative highlights the importance of slowing down during Christmas, both to reduce accidents and to cherish the valuable time the season offers. 

"With this campaign, we wanted to spotlight the issue of speeding in a tangible way. During a time when stress can easily take over, this serves as an important and visible reminder to slow down and relax during the holidays." says Emanuel Jorild, art director at NORD DDB.