Life — August 28, 1931 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Cover, August 28, 1931 This cover satirizes traffic safety, specifically the then-new traffic light system. The caption "Hey! Are you color-blind?" appears to mock drivers who ignore signal lights. The illustration shows a formal dining scene where a uniformed traffic officer (right) confronts well-dressed patrons at what appears to be a restaurant or nightclub. The visual joke conflates traffic signals with dining etiquette—the officer questions whether the diners are "color-blind" to the signals, suggesting reckless driving behavior. The humor relies on 1930s automotive safety concerns and the novelty of standardized traffic control. The formal attire of the civilians contrasts with the officer's authority, emphasizing that even respectable citizens flouted traffic laws. The cartoon critiques public disregard for emerging traffic safety regulations during the automobile's rise.