A 60s meme put to rest.

   In the 1950s, the audio of a car crash was recorded. In that crash, someone died and their scream can be heard at the moment of impact. For years, the sound of the crash was used as a sound effect.

One of the most famous uses was by the 60's musical duo Jan & Dean in the song 'Dead Man's Curve.' The crash audio segment is cut up and repeated in bits and pieces, but at least one full repetition, including the scream, occurs in the song.

Tennessee Department of Safety ran drunk driving commercials during the holidays then, that featured the crash audio as an effect.

I also remember, there was a public statement on the television, one year, that they were going to cease using the audio. It was deciced that incorporating the sound of someone's death in a television commercial was inappropriate.

I agree.