Alright,
texting while driving? Obviously stupid -- but that doesn't stop tons and tons of people from doing it. The Gwent Police department in Wales hopes that its newest PSA film will help deter this bad behavior. In much the same spirit as the drunk driving on prom night films we ourselves had to sit thorough in high school, this film is pretty graphic. Okay, it's actually shockingly graphic -- but we're pretty sure that's the idea. Video is after the break.
[Via
Gizmodo]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
iLoveApple @ Aug 16th 2009 8:03PM
Laura, dudette, you've broken the rules! You're NEVER meant to link to Gizmodo as an Engadget editor. NEVER.
Don't think that this will ever be forgotten.
bigred83 @ Aug 16th 2009 8:21PM
I think every parent with a teenager should watch it, and force their kids to watch it as well...
Chris L @ Aug 16th 2009 9:01PM
Well duh, shes driving on the wrong side of the road.
;)
Nobody @ Aug 16th 2009 9:04PM
That was about 3 minutes too long. They could've edited down to the events leading up to the crash, the actual crash, and then a brief overview of the aftermath with a closeup on each dead person.
Honestly, if they don't have a long enough attention span to pay attention to the road, I don't see how they'll pay attention to the video. And perhaps the more IQ-deficit teens would probably come away with the message that "yeah, my friends will die, some innocent drivers will die...but hey, at least I'll survive"
penk @ Aug 17th 2009 6:51AM
i agree.
it's well done, although i became incredibly cynical when they showed the toddler in the other head-on vehicle. i couldn't help but wonder why the second car was unable to avoid and prevent the first collision when the lane drift began. then i couldn't help but ask why the third driver didn't bother to hit the brakes or even swerve, then they showed he was (somewhat) elderly, so that distracted me from the message. the message turned into "Don't have vehicular text - everyone else may be crap drivers, too."
again, it's well done, but could have been better had it opened just like 'Final Destination 2', move into the 'Death Proof' bit, then end with a 'Very Bad Things' conclusion.
show us full of life and fun these girls are, then show that end suddenly.
ray @ Aug 16th 2009 9:29PM
Shockingly boring.
badchad @ Aug 16th 2009 9:44PM
Oh come on.
I always text and drive.
Thats never happened to me.
RK @ Aug 16th 2009 10:44PM
I bet if she was using a QWERTY phone, this wouldn't of happened.
Dan the Hero @ Aug 16th 2009 10:50PM
haha. heck yeah. blackberry all the way
Matt @ Aug 17th 2009 4:23PM
Also learning to drive with your knee is helpful. That skill is actually helpful in situations where you are not texting and driving, such as if you are trying to open a bottle of water while you drive.
Texting and driving (and just driving) is a learned skill. It can be done relatively safely, but you have to know how to do it. You need to realize that texting and driving significantly slows your reaction time and takes your attention from the road. You need to learn to recognize when driving demands your attention (intersections, tricky road sections, cross walks, stop lights, while passing, while stopping, etc.).
People need to realize that people are not going to stop texting and driving. Just like teens have not stopped having unprotected sex or drinking, just like people drink and drive. Some kids will watch this video and say, "man that sucks, but it won't happen to me." Passing laws will stop some people from doing it, which might be a good thing, but it isn't going to stop everyone. I think the most effective way to address the safety concerns around texting and driving would be to teach people how to maximize safety while texting and driving.
Matt S @ Aug 16th 2009 11:38PM
vlingo, vlingo, vlingo! While the video was pretty f'ed up, ill still txt.. I use vlingo on my blackberry while driving and only use the keyboard at stop lights.
LOL @ comment on that site: "03:36 PM - We get it, we get it. Don't let women drive. I think they made their point but the violence was a little much."
Acsteffy87 @ Aug 17th 2009 1:35AM
dude i hate how in these fucking commercials its always the one that is doing the wrong thing that lives. its so stupid. but ya texting and driving is bad, i got in a wreck while i was doing it one time. luckily i just ran my car into the back of a truck. havent done it since. A commercial isnt going to stop them from doing it, once they get in a wreck they wont do it again.
Roger Alford @ Aug 17th 2009 2:06AM
There is an even better one from Ireland that is 40 seconds long, about the dangers of speeding, that is even more disgusting then this one....
Stupid teenage girls ...
1. Shouldnt be having phones in cars
2. Shouldnt be driving PERIOD!
3. Should be wearing seatbelts when in cars with their other stupid teenage girlfriends.
mroach @ Aug 17th 2009 2:52AM
I think the real lesson to be learned here is that you should buy better cars. If such casualties result from what looks like a relatively low-speed collision, then your car is a death trap. Get yourself a nice Volvo, BMW, Mercedes, VW, or Audi and you'll be much better off.
Still might not be an awesome idea to text while driving though
RF9 @ Aug 17th 2009 4:41AM
I have been rear ended twice now due to someone texting or (whatever on their iPhone) while driving. I'm pretty f'n fed up with it (and buying new cars.)
That video was awesome. Reminds me of the time we flipped a car over a few times after hitting ice (I the passenger.) Well done, this is very realistic. I like how the driver was the only on left alive.
anime2006 @ Aug 17th 2009 8:12AM
Damn, if I was that girl I would be thinking, "I am invincible!" (Boris Grishenko - Goldeneye)
Also all the squish noises during the crash were a little much.
anime2006 @ Aug 17th 2009 8:13AM
And the little girl who kept asking, "Why won't Mommy and Daddy wake up?"
mulda71 @ Aug 17th 2009 8:31AM
I actually agree with the sentiment that teens shouldnt be able to drive! My family almost got wiped out by a 17 year old girl who was texting and blew right through a stop sign. They arent mature enough to keep it in their pants and put the phone away while driving... but not sure what you can do about it, short of banning cell phone usage in cars, which doesnt work either... and isnt fair to others. And it is not overboard to say that this is as bad as drunk driving, it is. I see people swerving all the time and when you go by them they are always looking down at their phone.
Restoration @ Aug 17th 2009 8:46AM
I want to see the entire 30 minutes of this PSA
000000 @ Aug 17th 2009 11:03AM
There are going to be technologies soon that will disable your text messages when you are in your car. All sorts of big brother technologies coming.
LiqwidZero @ Aug 17th 2009 12:40PM
How did the PD get enough money to produce this video!?
Bleh @ Aug 17th 2009 6:34PM
I was thinking the same exact thing... It seems very well filmed with a decent quality especially from youtube (not even watching in hq) for a PD.
LiqwidZero @ Aug 17th 2009 12:43PM
They were wearing seat belts.
Shayo @ Aug 17th 2009 12:58PM
I think this video is brilliant... I cannot believe how heartless and ignorant some of you people are... Texting while driving is VERY dangerous and should taken seriously... It does not matter if you have a Qwerty keyboard or a basic phone... texting while driving is just stupid and immature... If you can't wait to text someone til you are at your destination then pull over on the side of the road... you can also call them VIA bluetooth or just WAIT! There seems to be more accidents involving people texting and/or talking on their phones illegally then there are drunk drivers... so what does that tell you about our society and how stupid many people are... Prevent any accident and follow the law it's not that hard... and the law had been made to make us all safer on the road... so if not for your safety think about other's on the road... YOU could be the next one the cause an accident due to texting and kill a family...In my opinion they need to make the law's more strict making texting and talking on the phones illegally a misdemeanor not just a "ticket".
MacinJosh @ Aug 19th 2009 3:03AM
My friend was hit by a 17 year old girl who didn't have a phone in her hand, but just wasn't paying attention to the traffic on the road she was trying to turn on. My friend had a slight whiplash after trying to dodge the girl.
Judy @ Aug 21st 2009 9:33AM
Anyone that says you can safely text and drive is a complete moron. You cannot look away from the road and safely drive a vehicle. I hope they pass laws prohibiting this and take away the license of repeat offenders. Your self-importance and selfishness in believing that something is so important that you have to "text" right now is insulting. You should voluntarily turn in your license.
sj @ Aug 25th 2009 9:04AM
I've just viewed the video for the first time. As a former critical care nurse and mother of teenagers, I think the video though excellent, is not graphic enough. Perhaps the girl who survives the accident should witness the rescue personel throwing blankets over the dead. Or maybe she should see them removing some of the bodies from the reckage before she is rescued. I know these suggestions sound terrible, but many people who see this video have no idea of the impact these type of accidents have on the victims and their families. My nephew Shaun, was killed 6 yrs ago by a careless driver. We still morn his senseless death. One of the witnesses to Shaun's accident stopped with his 14 yr old son to help. My nephew survived the crash but was trapped inside the car. As this man and his son tried to free Shaun his vehicle ignited into flames. This man and his son were witnesses to Shaun's screams for help as he was burned alive. I only know of this event because this gentleman and his wife, though complete strangers, showed up at my nephew's memorial. I walked over to thank this man for all he tried to do, both arms now wrapped in bandages because of second and third degree burns he received. It was his wife who told me of what he and his son saw and heard. She also told me that both her husband and son were now tormented by the fact they were unable to save Shaun. TIME DOES NOT HEAL ALL WOUNDS! May God Bless all drivers with the common sense to do the right thing, and Bless the innocents who fall victim to those that don"t.
Darth Paul @ Aug 25th 2009 8:15PM
first off kids..
LulzCuppieCakes, this will be reality for you, when it does happen to you.. let's hope u don't find out the hard way...
1. this is very REALISTIC.. course it's not "real".. to you, it's a commercial.. ..but it's very well made and graphic, as it shoudl be..
1. the US tv ratings systems here don't have the courage or guts to show that.. and yet, tv hows like CSi..etc.. have tons of blood and gore in thier episodes..
3. this a very important commerical..
Julie @ Aug 27th 2009 6:58PM
Where is this add??? Why can it not be viewed anymore? I have looked and looked but can't find a link that actually opens to view it. Help any one