At some point in your travels, you have probably seen one of these little yellow plastic guys. Holding a red flag, he reminds you to slow down because there are kids nearby. When I see one, I automatically take my foot off the gas and play closer attention. I do it without conscious thought, just as I would if I saw a yellow traffic light.

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But I have heard people make fun of the overzealous parent who would dare to instruct others how to drive. Seriously, some people hate those yellow figures for reasons known only to them. In the Boston area, some see these traffic guys as a target and routinely vandalize and/or steal them. They've been found standing on their heads, dumped in the garbage, run over or kidnapped and held for ransom.

There is no data proving that these little figures actually make people slow down, but most seem think they are a good idea. Not only do they remind motorist to slow down, they also serve as a reminder to your kids that they have reached the end of the driveway. I think these little plastic figures serve their purpose well and most likely do prevent accidents involving those kids playing nearby. What do you think about them? Do you use them? Do you think they work?