Texting-While-Driving PSA Creates Controversy (VIDEO)
A violent and bloody new public service announcement warning teens about the dangers of texting while driving is drawing controversy for being too graphic.
Produced by the Gwent Police Department in a small community in Wales, the PSA — which isn’t currently being aired on U.S. television — sets a horrible example of what can happen when people send texts while driving.
In the gory video, three teenage girls giggle over a text they are sending while driving along a country road. The distracted driver smashes head-on into another car. A third car later careens into the passenger side. The driver wakes to finds her friend lying dead next to her. The camera then switches to a second car, occupied by a young child asking why her parents are not waking up.
The PSA is so dramatic, YouTube viewers must assure they are 18 before viewing the footage, currently being shown to high school students in the UK. According to Gwent Police, the gore may be the best way to make drivers aware that they are endangering lives each time they text behind the wheel.
A recent Virginia Tech study found that texting drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in a collision than nontexters.
“The messages contained in the film are as relevant to the people of Tennessee as they are to the residents [of Wales],” Gwent’s Chief Constable Mick Giannasi said in a statement on the department’s website. “Texting and driving can have tragic consequences, and the more this film is viewed, the better.”
Tell us what you think. Does the PSA go too far?
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On August 26th 2009, Jessica wrote:
I believe that this should be shown in the US! Perfect example of what can happne to you while texting while driving.
I do not know how many times I have counted passing people that are textingand swerving while driving. It is too dangerous and needs to be known!
Go Wales for stepping up and doing what is right!
On August 26th 2009, Ben wrote:
MediaCurves.com just conducted a study with 300 viewers of a Public Service Announcement (PSA) from the U.K. illustrating the dangers of texting and driving. Results showed that majority of viewers (80%) reported that they are less likely to text while driving after watching the PSA. The study also found that 85% of American viewers reported that the PSA should be aired in the U.S. The majority of viewers (87%) believe that the PSA is appropriate in nature, and 86% also indicated that the PSA was extremely effective. More in-depth results can be viewed at http://www.mediacurves.com/NationalMediaFocus/J7508-PSA/Index.cfm
Thanks,
Ben
On August 26th 2009, PAULA wrote:
This needs to be shown in ALL the driver ed classes and high schools. We baby our children too much. They need to see what consequences their actions have. WAKE UP AMERICA!! That’s what the problem with today’s youth is– no accountability.
On August 28th 2009, Rose Tracy wrote:
While I think this was horrible to watch, I also think this is just the type of wake up call the teenagers need. With them, seeing is believing.
On September 1st 2009, Shani Osborne Reed wrote:
I am living proof it does happen. 10-17-07 I almost died in a car wreck due to texting. I admitted my faults and have gotten it out lawed in Tennessee. I think it is very informative and for those who don’t think it should be shown, think about my mom who drove up on my wreck to see me laying on a stretcher almost dead. I have 7 metal plates 50+ screws and three chains that hold my face together. I lost my right eye and now have a glass eye. I can never get that back, Please show this to any age of anyone who texts while drives. I am only 23 and have to live with the mental and physical scars that accured due to this stupid miskate
On September 2nd 2009, Anne wrote:
I agree 100% that this video needs to be shown to everyone who drives a car and owns a cell phone!! It is not just the young drivers out there that are texting it is drivers of all ages. Yes this video was graphic but I believe that it will really send a message because it takes you there. 2 monhs ago I witnessed a fatal head on collision that resulted from a vehicle passing another and it has honestly made me think twice about passing (even if the car in front of me is slower). Like I said before, I agree with this video 100% and would have no second thoughts about showing it to my children. I hope this will be available for my children to view when they reach driving age.
On December 4th 2009, Scott in NH wrote:
This video is incredibly well made, and almost everyone seems to agree it is warranted and effective.
However… in actual scientific tests, I believe it has been shown that videos like these aren’t actually effective at getting teens to change their behavior.