Will Bloody Texting PSA Get The Message To Teens?

You've said it as well as it can be said. Teens who don't already realize that texting while driving is stupid won't get the message from this video. They'd only get it if that baby in the back was their kid brother. . .

This is nothing compared to what really happens in motor vehicle accidents.

Two weeks ago, my 58 year old cousin was riding his motorcycle and stopped at a red light. The driver of a Fed Ex truck behind him was texting and ran over my cousin, who lost a leg. This video is so graphic that it is disturbing, but this is reality. If you get into an accident, these are the horrible things that happen. If one person sees this video and has a second thought before picking up their cell phone while driving, then it is worth it. If teens and adults didn't have a problem with texting while driving, then we wouldn't need this video. Also, kids may think their bulletproof, but that doesn't mean that this kind of truth should be kept from them because we don't think it will make a difference. It will always make a difference to someone, and that is who you want to reach.

Yes, teens consider themselves "bullet-proof," immortal ... it will only happen to the other guy, therefore they are immune. For all of us, teens and adults, who have this possibly fatal perspective, we will continue to do what we want to do simply because we want to do it. More males succumb to this way of thinking, genetics making them risk-takers, the natural explorers of the universe of risks. This is why I didn't let my son to drive alone in the car until he was older than the law allowed. Not that females can't also be dangerously foolish behind the wheel.

Do we pass laws to ban cell phone usage? Then hope they will be adhered to because they are in place? I'd like to now play devil's advocate, with anyone who might read this knowing that I don't have the answers and want all of us to drive safely and be safe on the roads. Cell phone usage is a distraction to drivers and so are conversations with other people present in the car, as well as listening to the radio and CD's. All of these most especially distractions for the inexperienced drivers among us.

Perhaps there is a change in behavior when someone we love is damaged/killed by careless driving. When I was a junior in high school, Sue, a popular girl whom we all liked, was beheaded one weekend in a car accident. Everyone I knew drove with a great deal more caution ... for about two weeks. Then the "it won't happen to me" suit of protection kicked in once again.

i recommend any who sees this fwd it to their friends and loved ones. it is a grim reminder of what can happen in a split second to anyone. if it saves one life it has done its job.

I was waiting in the airport for a morning flight and this came on the television that was in the waiting area. There were little kids in the waiting area. The sounds were terrible and when I turned to see what it was the image was terrible. I don't think this helps much of anything and it might frighten the wrong people at the wrong time.

I, personally, know I won't be texting and driving anymore and I'm 23 years old. This is a great wake-up message to myself and I feel it could be for other people around my age group (16-25).

It happened to one of my son's good friends this summer. Lilly is gone, but her friends have learned a very painful lesson. Showing this video to your teens isn't going to hurt them. Even if it saves ONE, it is worth it. Ask Lilly's parents...

I'm seventeen years of age, and I know for a fact that many of my peers would simply laugh at this video... as serious as it is. I agree that texting while driving is incredibly unsafe, but if one is doing it responsibly, such as when they are stopped, it doesn't cause much harm but an angry follower. But there are also many other dangerous things to be doing out there while driving, which are nowhere near as publicized as the texting issue. Basically I feel it is necessary to come up with something realistic that addresses all of the issues at once, while keeping away from the gore. Its incredibly unnecessary, and painful to watch someone go through something like that... even if they are only actors.

im a teen as well as an emergency responder with my local fire dept... this is the most ineffective PSA ive ever seen... not only would it damage many viewers young and old but i believe it would scare more teens into being afraid of driving in general then it would texting... if anything a mandatory seminar about the dangers of using a cell phone while driving for new drivers would be more effective, it would also prevent the viewing of this PSA for ages that are two young to witness a tragedy like this

I ride a motorcycle and it scares me to death. You think they cant see you now, how about when they aren't even looking!

I watched this viedo with my teen daughters. It was a tough thing to watch seeing as we lost a stepsister/stepdaughter, and her boyfriend in May do to over correcting while driving. As a parent I wanted my remaining children to learn all there is about the dangers of texting while driving. As an adult I am guilty of texting while driving, and I asked my self, "what am i teaching my children". I will walk away from this viedo with tears of a learning experence and hope to teach my children not to do as I have done. Its is my responsibility to lead by example. So I have turned off my texting on my phone. Nothing is worth loosing a life over. My daughters all agree with me. The viedo is direct and to the point. I only hope others learn as I am from watching this viedo and will go forth and teach their children/ teens as well.

Perhaps this is gory but...to be honest...I'd risk it, if it would just save the life of one person. Once a life is gone, there is nothing you can do to bring it back

I completely agree with len. I have a feeling the end of humans will be from our own doing. Humans will destroy themselves in the end.

The video is graphic, realistic, frightening, and disturbing...which is EXACTLY why I think it should be shown as a public service announcement. Kids need to understand the consequences of distracted driving--how quick things can happen--and how many people it can affect. It pushes the envelope--but if it prevents one accident, it is worth it. Kids today get a full palate of gratuitous sex and violence through a variety of media sources-- this is at least thought provoking.

By the way, I see just as many adults texting while driving!

Teens should see the video. They watch worse than this for entertainment. It's not exactly correct to assume that they will not take it serious or at least thing twice before pulling over for a quick minute rather than driving unattentively. True teens don't follow every rule or do as they should but it's a fair warning, then consequences should be tougher, as if cause another's death isn't price enough.

Your comment on teens being "bulletproof" is accurate. However...I personally, will use anything within my power to keep my children safe.
The director of transportation says this is "way too gory"? Where has this guy been? Has he watched any television, or gone to the movies lately? This is tame comparatively speaking to what our children are exposed to these days.
Unfortunately, along with the bulletproof comment, the writer eluded to the fact that the kids won't pay any attention to this...I am afraid that they are correct about that as well. The only thing that snatches them into the reality of this nightmare scenario, is when it happens to a friend or family member. Too bad, because then it has already been "too late" for someone else.
Many teens live inside of their " I am indestructible" world, until it gets smashed by an event such as this.
I wish I knew how to make all of them see the light, but I don't. I do the best I can, and pray to God to keep them safe.

I work for the fire department and have for 15 years. We do a live mock car wreck right around prom every year for all the counties high schools. We put fake blood on them put sheets over some and fly some out on a life flight helicopter! If it makes just one of them think twice its working!

YES! every teenager should see the reality of how deadly it is to NOT pay full attention when driving! They showed those type of films to high schoolers in Driver's Ed back 30-40 yrs ago and you NEVER forget it. It would eliminate alot of tragedies.

As horriffic as it is, the simple fact is teens will be teens and until this (god forbid) would happen to someone they know, this would just be considered another parental scare tactic to most teenagers