A British public service announcement is getting a lot of air time these days, and not just on British television but on YouTube. The very graphic PSA depicts a horrific accident that begins with three teenage girls laughing and joking while the driver texts a friend. Of course the result is a head-on collision and several people dying.
The spot is broadcast with the intent of getting teenagers to understand the dangers of texting and driving. However, there has always been debate over whether this type of psa actually changes behavior. I remember years ago in my driver’s ed class we were shown accident films. To this day I can see in my mind the photos of a body totally charred from a vehicle fire. Does it change the way I drive? It was along time ago so I’m not sure. But we need to do something to stop the increasing number of people of all ages who are texting while driving. It’s frightening!
I would suggest that it be required viewing for all teenagers, many of whom think they have this texting while driving thing down pat. Let them just what can happen…
The Legal Examiner and our Affiliate Network strive to be the place you look to for news, context, and more, wherever your life intersects with the law.
3 Comments
Dana Kearby
Wow! I would so love for our schools here in the states to require all soon to be drivers and new drivers to watch this entire 30 minute show. I had my 15 year old watch it and it sparked an amazing conversation with him about the dangers of being distracted by ANYTHING while driving. He finally understood why I am so very cautious as to what friends of his I will let him ride with. He "totally gets it now" in his words. Where can we get ahold of this in it's full version. I would so love to have our youth group watch this to truly understand that their actions as young drivers don't just affect themselves but everyone else on the road that they are driving around. I am so thankful for the father and public servant that had the courage to make this film. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Sandy Grinnell
Dana -
From everything I've read, the YouTube 5 min video is the full length version. But due to the graphic nature of it, more than likely it will never be shown on the U.S. airways. However, I have read lots of comments from driving instructors that think it is a great teaching tool. I just hope more of them will see it and get to show it to their students.
Ben
MediaCurves.com just conducted a follow up study with 205 viewers of a Public Service Announcement (PSA) from the U.K. illustrating the dangers of texting and driving. Results showed that the overwhelming majority of viewers (85%) reported that in the last week, they had reduced the amount of text and mobile messages sent while driving as a result of the video. More in-depth results can be viewed at http://www.mediacurves.com/NationalMediaFocus/J7524-Texting-While-Driving-2/Index.cfm
Thanks,
Ben
Comments for this article are closed.