A new "texting while driving" PSA (public service announcement) from the U.K. pulls no punches. It also makes no attempt to hide the graphic consequences for someone distracted by their SMS messages while driving, either.
The dangers of texting while driving are well-known to researchers. Numerous studies have shown that text messaging while driving is as bad as drunk driving, in terms of the reduction in reaction time for the driver. In the case of SMS while driving, it's distraction, not a physical result of imbibing in alcohol, but the result is still the same.
Many are either still unaware of the possible consequences, or simply do not care. They feel that the consequences of not responding or not reading an SMS are worse than anything else. Is that SMS really that important? This "texting while driving" PSA certainly should give you the answer to that question: no.
In reality, common sense should be enough, but that's something people lack of lot of nowadays, when it comes to thinking what's most important: your life or some inane act. While this "texting while driving" PSA is graphic, not quite "Final Destination" graphic, but pretty disturbing (fair warning, and the part with the baby and child is especially disturbing!), it is still likely that many will simply ignore this as a "Hollywood" production.
I recall when I was in school, and they would show us actual dead bodies as the result of overdosing on drugs, as a way of scaring teens out of drug use. This "texting while driving" PSA is pretty graphic already, but perhaps that's how far people need to go: ads showing the actual real-life consequences of actual accidents as a result of texting while driving.
One problem with that idea is that it's not that easy to tell when such activity is the cause of a crash. That's one reason that statistics of that sort aren't readily available, either.
In terms of legislation, in the U.S., thirty-six states have no text messaging while driving ban. Those that do frequently have "slap on the wrist" fines such as California's, which is $20 for the first offense, and $50 for the subsequent offenses.
Watch a video report including the "texting while driving" PSA. It's not easy to watch, but at least we know it's not real. That doesn't mean the potential for real accidents of this nature isn't there, every day.
Here's a CNN report with some expert discussion afterwards:
