CAUTION: immigrants!, a photo from California, West

Photographer's Note

"Perhaps nowhere else could such a road sign have been born.
A ghostly silhouette of a mother, father and little girl running, their bodies leaning forward as if into the wind. The child's pigtails fly behind her as the family dashes across a stark yellow background, accompanied by one word: CAUTION.
Caltrans posted several of these signs along San Diego freeways beginning in 1990, when the city was a funnel for undocumented immigrants headed north. The signs were intended to warn drivers they might encounter people frantically darting across lanes of traffic as they tried to evade border security.
Dozens of immigrants were struck and killed from the mid-1980s to early 1990s, some in front of horrified family members, as stunned drivers failed to stop in time. The freeway deaths ended long ago, but the signs remain." [Maybe as a reminder that the immigrants problems didnt end.]
Read the rest of the article, by Leslie Berestein, at The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Here you see two of the remaining signs on highway Interstate 5. These are near the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (at left). See a better detail of the sign on my workshop.
The photos were taken from the back seat of a car at more than 60 mph, without noticing them on time to slow the car.
See also my other photos of this theme:
USA-Mexico: Border & Immigrants.
See also other photos of the theme:
American Ways of Life.
In a new workshop there is cab with reference to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Galmeida, georgemoeciu, lcarolan, calimex, Docarmo, Amaz oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

georgemoeciu (1150) 2006-04-05 18:14 [Comment]

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Galmeida (12559) 2006-04-06 4:14

Hi Francisco,
You are in San Diego and I like very much your information guidelines not only at EUA but also in Portugal that you know from your past, I suppose! AS you know well there are Emmigrates and Immigrates but I think that are something when driving that are common to both. I like this decisive moment taken in the highway by the back seat. Good light and perspective motion view. Excelent enquadrement and very well sharpned. Congratulations, have a nice stay at AMERICA and my second name is AMERICO, thanks for your nice work and my sharing words, views and friendly approach.

All the best to you and surroundings.
Fernando

[2] +

plimrn (21344) 2006-04-06 10:31

Hi Fransisco,
Looks like you went to Santa Barbara by car. I am often struck by these signs. Tyhe problem is focusing on the people who are just trying to survive. If there were any real interest in trying to limit the flow of people in the country without papers, the focus would be on huge fines for the employers.

The photo is a good capture, especially for flying down the freeway. Clearly your reflexes are faster than mine!! You don't mention the dome on the nuclear reactor at San Onofre with it's billowing pillar of steam.
Regards, Pat

lcarolan (930) 2006-04-11 4:27

Hi Francisco,
your note supposts your compo very well. Good job capturing this on the fly.
Larry

RADEEH (2802) 2006-04-15 21:57

This cretes a feeling iam in the car.
Fantastic view of a high way.
The leading road gives a depth too
Congrats and TFS

calimex (151) 2007-05-04 2:20

Really strong framing here, Francisco. Your shot is tight yet manages to give a larger sense of this border freeway. The beads hanging from the rear view mirror add a warm touch. This is definitely a classic sign in California freeway history.

Un saludo,
José

Docarmo (9767) 2009-01-17 20:48

Olá Francisco,
Uma imagem com vários assuntos interessantes, como sói acontecer com teus "posts". O terço dependurado no retrovisor é um detalhe que năo me passou despercebido e que me lembra de pedir ŕ Nuestra Seńora de Guadalupe que proteja os immigrantes.
Abraço,
MCV

jmdias (114240) 2009-10-12 5:36

chico

muito estranho este sinal de trânsito, parece com aqueles de animais selvagens cruzando a pista.enfim, as diferenças de nível produzem estes problemas. belo registro seu

abraços

jorge

Amaz (11475) 2010-02-18 1:25

Impressionate documento, Francisco!!

Bom olho!!

Parabéns,

seb1lopez (187) 2013-12-10 8:56

I am very interested in your "documentary" for having lived in Mexico, fantastic country having the burden of a huge brother beside... ur simple pics and the text u write really touch me.. thank you for all those migrants to have post this work.