News August 17, 2009

Eyes On The Road! Graphic New PSA Aims to Stop Texting While Driving

Disclaimer: The video above contains graphic images and pulls no punches with the depiction of an auto accident. Gear Diary is in no way liable for any nightmares or post-traumatic stress syndrome caused after viewing this video. You’ve been warned…

Last month Carly shared the interactive game that shows the likely consequences of texting while driving. The Gwent police department of Wales has taken the message even further with this video using local actors to drive (literally) the message home. If you’ve texted or emailed while driving (and we’re all likely guilty of it at some point or other), you should definitely watch this video. If you have a teen driver in your family, this should be required viewing.

While the video is certainly disturbing, the point is made: Your text messages can wait until you are off the road.

via BBC News and Gizmodo

Tags: Texting

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About Jason Reese

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mchinsky

Holy cow that was well done.

I 100% agree with the whole premise of the issue of texting and driving etc.

Now to my political soapbox.

The car the kids (and everybody else) were in look about the same size as a typical 2 person golf cart. This is typical of ‘green socialized Europe’. This is the future of auto’s in the US thanks to the takeover of GM and Chrysler (the new tiny FIAT’s chrysler is making will be made in Mexico BTW, hope the unions are happy).

With Cap & Trade an other environmental whackoism of the current government, if these girls were in a large car and not that tin can, they would all probably be pretty ok. (Again, I know this is a re-enactment but the point being, tiny cars kill).
Larry Greenberg

Nicely done.

Sometimes things need be graphic to get the point across.

Unfortunately an all too familiar scene for me.

And small cars are not always unsafe.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/smart-car-crash-tested/
http://www.geardiary.com Michael Anderson

Wow … mchinsky … didn’t see this as the time for yet another right-wing talk radio talking points diatribe.

If anything, the disastrous economy and the structural failings can all eb tied back to the Republicans heading all the way back to the first person I voted for in an election – Ronald Reagan …
Jason Reese

I can definitely see the various points of view (large vehicle vs. small and impact/damage). The PSA was done in Wales; but, really, I think the video’s intent succeeds in the fact that it truly illustrates the horrific nature of an auto accident. It’s certainly not watered-down or sugar-coated in any respect whatsoever. Personally, that is what really emphasizes the point for me.

I don’t believe we’d see as graphic a video/public service announcement here in the U.S. Maybe I’m wrong; but, regardless this video does exactly what it set out to do: scare the bejesus out of anyone who views it. Will it help sway a number of drivers from texting/emailing/fiddling with their phones while behind the wheel? I certainly hope so.
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http://www.geardiary.com Michael Anderson

Jason – I think you’re right – there are pros and cons for large and small cars, as well as trucks and SUV’s and so on.

I also think you are right that we are not likely to see this ad in the US.
http://www.astraware.com Alison

I think the most important point about this very graphic ad, is that texting and using your phone IN ANY WAY is already illegal in the UK! Yes, that’s right, they’re doing this when what they’re describing is already against the law – will get you points on your license and up to a £1,000 fine. So it appears that making it illegal and adding hefty consequences still isn’t enough to stop people.

Unfortunately I suspect this ad won’t discourage people with a “won’t happen to me” attitude because they’re the same people who think they won’t get caught now.
http://www.geardiary.com Michael Anderson

Very good point, Alison … you just have to hope that it does scare some sense into other folks. There are still those who drive drunk on a regular basis, with safety features disabled, and so on … you will never stop them, but at least if you can minimize them it will help.
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cmacv

Dumb PSA! why show the girls heads smashing out all the windows, than the guy runs up to help and every window is intact! weak!
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