Gory Texting PSA is Good for Teens

Thank you for sharing such a painful personal story. You're exactly right when you say that if it prevents one death it's worth it. When I was 14, my 17-year-old sister fell asleep while driving and hit a semi truck, killing her. Dealing with the emotions of this (I was supposed to be riding with her) was difficult enough, and I can't imagine what it would have been like if others had been involved in the accident. I have heard many teenagers and adults say that they fell asleep (or were texting, talking, messing with the radio, etc.) and ran off the road, and whew that was lucky, and laugh a bit, but then not change their habits. It takes something more serious, as in someone actually dying, before people wake up to the danger- and that is what this PSA is about. However, it is good that they have a warning beforehand, so parents can discuss it with their children etc.

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I think this PSA is effective because it is so graphic. I may show it to my daughter. Teens often think they are invincible and this video shows they are not. Even if it saves just one life it's worth it. Teens and others texting while driving are putting not only their lives in danger, but the lives of others on the road as well.

My husband and I have chosen to remove the text feature from our cell phone plan. Not only is it cheaper, but it won't put us at risk for initiating this type of accident.

On another note, my friend just gave her 12 year old daughter a cell phone for her birthday. She and her friends text each other, instead of talking on the phone, through email, or God forbid...IN PERSON. This has caused arguments and friction between the friends, when they text something the other person doesn't quite understand. In one situation, one of the girls' mother was posing as her own daugher, actually texting back to my friend's daughter, because she was angry with her. Now that woman and my friend are no longer friends. Isn't it better for kids at this age to have normal face-to-face friendships anyway? Texting, emailing, caller id---they're all great to an extent, but I feel they have made society increasingly less less personal, and more rude.

It becomes increasingly difficult to parent in this society, with all the technology available. Guess I just need to keep rolling with the punches and stand my ground, and hope that my kids thank me for it someday.

My 9-year old asked me the other day when she could have a cell phone. I told her she wouldn't want the cell phone I would give her because it would call only two numbers: home and 911 :)

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Agreed 100%. My husband has never endured anything as painful as you but he saved an article about a classmate who died in a horrible accident. He saved it to show our son for when he starts driving. I remember the mangled car they always put in front of our high school at prom time.

Distracted teens piled into a car together going too fast is scary, but these days I'm seeing equally scary driving with adults behind the wheel - minivans that think they are on the Audobon and people on their crackberries.

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I wish every state would pass legislation banning cell phone use of any kind while driving. Even talking on a headset has it's dangers...that split second when you dial or answer. I know people get mad when the government steps in and create's idiot-proof laws that they feel infringes on their personal freedoms. But guess what...when you text or talk on your cell phone while you're driving you're infringing on MY personal freedoms. Idiot-proof laws wouldn't have to be put in place if everyone used common sense. Unfortunately it's not just teenagers we have to worry about. I've seen way too many moms in minivans and men in suits texting while driving. Sometimes when you see that car weaving in the road...you have to wonder if they're drunk or texting. Either way, scary as hell.

Thank you, Rachel, for sharing your story with us. I'm so sorry for your painful loss.

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I'm glad this PSA is available online, otherwise people in the Unites States might not ever see it. If there's anything we've learned from shows like American Idol, America's Got Talent, etc., is that Americans always need a Brit around to speak the truth. Why are we, as a society, so afraid to see things as they really are? This attitude spills over into every aspect of our lives, which is why we end up with folks who really can't sing standing in front of panel of judges who are laughing at them. What's so wrong with the truth? http://www.thepublicschooldaily.com

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Rachel,
I think the PSA is a great one. Sometimes being graphic os what it takes to get the point home. Out of curiosity with your accident was anyone in your vehicle wearing seat belts since you were ejected I'm assuming you weren't though I could be wrong. If you weren't what is your stand point now & do you think maybe you could use this blog to advocate the use of seat belts and carseats/boosterseats since you're a mom now?

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Hi everyone, I've been working with a start-up company called Motolingo whose main objectives include putting a stop to distracted driving by way of monitoring cell phone use. It sounds like a lot of you have teens and managing their cell phone use can be a difficult task. I still remember my teenage days of driving around just fine without a cell phone, but as Hope mentioned, teens are a lot more technologically savvy today. If you're interested in what we do and how we approach this sensitive matter, please visit our website at motolingo.com. There are a lot of solutions out there already, but we feel that ours really provides the documentation and talking points that parents and employers need to lessen the number of driving while distracted incidents.

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I saw the PSA. Im 19 and have to admit i used to text and drive i know some friends who still do. But after watching the PSA i never touch my phone when i drive anymore. It scared me but in a good way. I think it woudl be smart to show this to the teenagers of today because it may just stop some of the accidents

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