Will Bloody Texting PSA Get The Message To Teens?

LS: You fail to recognize that a video such as this one will very likely impact some teens, although perhaps not all. While no sweeping tactic will affect everyone the same way, some teens will be sensitive enough to realize that driving while texting is wrong. They will fear the aftermath... that their lives will be forever changed if they mess up.

Back when we were teens (I'm in my mid-30s), the big campaign was anti-drunk driving. We saw crumpled cars in gymnasiums as an example of what can happen, and heard statistics galore about how many teens are killed every year. I distinctly recall hearing, years later, from some expert that statistics absolutely do not work with teenagers. They think they are immortal. Those data points represent other people, not them. But a graphic video such as this will get to their core. I'm pretty sure of that.

even if this video only reaches 1 out of 10 teens, don't you think that is worth it?

you seem a bit jaded, speically since you won't watch the movie.


comeone, get a clue, lady

my son was killed in a car accident in november and he was not texting as a matter of fact his phone left a bruise on his thigh from being in his pocket. with all that said, watching the video brought back very painful memories of that terrible night and has caused me to have a panic attack, I stopped it after the girls' car was hit the second time....but if my 17 year old was with me right now, I would show it to him. our teens seem to think they are invinsible, they need to know the dangers of not paying attention while driving. they need to realize tomorrow is not promised. so, yes the video was too graphic for me due to my tragic loss, it needs to be shown.

The police must be proactive. Speeding , aggressive driving texting and talking on hand held phones is out of control.Everyday I witness these actions and its out of control.

"We are dealing with a generation of kids who grew up shooting each other in bloody video games like Grand Theft Auto and the like; who watch blood and gore for fun. They are immunized, daily, by this stuff, so why would this matter?"

It matters because things like this really do happen every day. I grew up on video games, I love Grand Theft Auto, Halo 3 is my favorite game & I cheer when I shoot someone in the head. Saw didn't even phase me. Why? Because they're fake. When was the last time someone went through NYC armed with 500lb. worth of heavy artillery & killed hundreds of people without being shot dead? Who ever heard of an advanced human race dressing in health-regenerating armor & killing aliens? How many times can you remember someone locking people up & forcing them to solve riddles that involve chopping off limbs in order to survive?

Getting my point? I'm 18 & I never text & drive. I trust myself drinking & driving more than texting & driving, because atleast that way when I get pulled over they'll be smart enough to take me to jail. You may think that because of technology, 'Generation X' is going to destroy the world, but there are enough of us using our knowledge & "immunization" for good to keep the world going. You see on the news that the 6th or 7th kid in the world killed someone because of a video game & think "This world is going mad.", but you hear that a terrorist was killed by an advanced laser-guided missile & you think that has nothing to do with our generation's knowledge of modern technology? I'm with you 100% that texting & driving is stupid, but you're way off thinking that violent video games are destroying the country when, in fact, it's helping keep it alive.

While to an extent I agree that some might dismiss this video....I think it has more of an effect than you're giving it credit for. Personally this PSA really got to me. I'm 17, I started driving last year, and I used to text while driving all the time. I mean big deal as long as I pay attention right? I remember watching all of the lame videos in health class and driving school that everyone laughed off, but I think this is different. It's not cheesey, it's real...very real. It seriously scared me off of texting while driving and I haven't done it since and I'm definitely not one of those sappy ppl who cries over anything. I love gory movies but this is just different. If you're a parent...though it's graphic please show your teenage drivers...it could really save lives if it were to get to them as it did to me.

The movie that you were all laughing at was probably one called "Red Asphalt". One person in my class fainted halfway through it. Although many may have laughed, if it got through to just one, then it was worth the effort. I feel the same way about this video :-)

It's no more gory than movies like Saw or Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I'm sure there are worse than those, but since I don't watch them I can't think of other names; the point is, if a teenager or adult can watch a movie that offers no redeeming benefit other than losing two hours of your life...why not a video that could potentially save a life. I can tell you from years of working in an emergency medical setting, the blood is real, the pain is real and death is real. We are encouraged to be honest with our kids about everything else, why not the dangers of distractions while driving?

It IS gory, but this problem IS real. I think it's great and every teenager should see it. My only issue with it is that the teenagers involved are all girls. I have two teenage boys and I already know what their response is going to be :/

I agree that most teens will watch this and laugh and drive home from school that day texting away. But personally, as a 19 yr old college student, seeing a real-life simulation like that definitely made me think twice about texting the next time I'm on the road. Like some other people have said, if it reaches one person, that's better than no one at all.

it does not bother me to see this video I believe it is very realistic. I deal with this on a daily basis and I believe it is good to let people knoe the realistic side of it. I also agree with Kathy sometimes it is better to show them that side then death. How wants to cared for like a infant for the rest of there life and feed thru a tube and breath thru a trach and know everything that is going on around them but not be able to talk. I know I wouldnt it is enough to care for these types of victims on a daily basis and whos loves ones set them aside because of the stress it takes on them to care for them.

Alright, whilst, I'm not a parent, I can say this... I show this to my little brother, who is about as dumb as a brick, he'll just laugh at the girls, call them some names, and continue doing it. The gory aspect is nice in scaring some off... Its not gonna be many who get frightened by this. Why? Because, this is all scripted. And the kidlets know this much. What would really scare the holy crap out of kids would be an actual footage of this stuff happening. Problem is... How do you get live footage of something like that out? Or, prove that it was caused by being a total moron and thinking you are "Almighty" and can do everything and be just fine? There isn't a complete way unless you get the driver's account. So, while this little clip, yes, horrifically graphic and a bit disturbing to some; won't keep all from thinking texting and driving is a bad thing. It just won't happen. And I agree with LS. While, this is directed towards kidlets (teens) what would make the adults not want to do it? I think I have the answer in the form of the kids shown in the parents car. Do that with your child in the car, result in your possible death and the possible death of your child. Scary stuff? Isn't it?

Co -Worker in hospital as i write this and am on my way to see him shorty.He was setting out triangles because he had gotten a flat tire on his dump truck. A 19 year old was driving at 70 mph late to work and texting and swerved into him. will live but count on big lawsuit my never be able to work again

No one should text while driving....this made me take notice, I
will never text again while driving.

If u all think this is too graphic, imagine what its like in real life. This is awful but the truth is, when it happens its even more awful. As far as tenns go, its true a lot of teens do this but Ill promise you I have responded to a lot of these types of wrecks where adults were texting, this message is for everyone young and old, and if it saves only one life, the message has been worth it.Its heartbearking gory and all the things u say, but all u need to do is walk in my shoes for a day and see this in real life to understand why its so urgent to get this message across. God Bless

I think this ad should be played in the U.S. and, for that matter, anywhere else in the world where people text and drive. There will always be an "it won't happen to me" mentality until you feel or see something to tell you otherwise. This PSA does both. Quite well.

By the way, can't anyone see the ad now? Why are they so worried about putting on TV?

I agree with you completely. Teens think that things happen to other people and not to them. Sadly, until it does happen to them, they're sure it won't. Most of them could even be in a car when it happened and they would still think that they could text and still pay attention better than the other person.

I do not think this is too graphic, but do believe there should be more details. Did anyone survive, how long did it take for this whole accident to occur and things like that.

I am quilty at texting while driving, as I think many people are, not only teens, but people of every age.. It's not only teens that this could happen to..

its not any worse than movies out today. The difference is......this is pretty darn close to the reality of a mva (motor vehicle accident) and what the scenes look like. This one could actually be considered pretty mellow. Everyone has their heads still on and guts on the inside!

I don't think this is all that graphic... I mean America is the same country that gives their teens money to go watch "Saw" and "Friday the 13th". Teenagers these days dont get fazed by much and like someone said b4, most teenagers won't get fazed by this commercial either, but the 5% or watever percent that actually listens can actually save lives which is better than 0%. So I wouldn't complain if this came up on my screen one day.