Footage that will stop you texting while driving

25/08/2009 / UK

Footage that will stop you texting while driving

"It's all about Cassie Cowan - a nice girl from a nice Gwent valleys family - who kills four people on the road because she used her mobile phone and lost her concentration for a few seconds."

It's with these words that the police force from Gwent, a region of south Wales, introduce their mini horror film. Directed by local lecturer Peter Watkins-Hughes and acted out by amateurs, the scene from a 30 minute educational video for school children, is soon to be broadcast on BBC Wales as an advert.

The somewhat radical strategy comes in response to evidence which proves that 18-24 year-olds' reaction times are 35% slower when reading or writing a text message, meaning that the effects are therefore potentially just as fatal as drink or drug driving. And half of young drivers do it. The message is not falling on deaf ears - the video has already got almost 1.5 million hits on YouTube.

Warning, you may find the video upsetting.

Contributors

Mick Giannasi

The sorry tale of Cassie Cowan

“The film should be shown to young people when they pass their driving test”

Mick Giannasi is Gwent police chief constable. He's also a member of the national Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and a driving safety specialist; referred to by the UK press as "Britain's top traffic policeman".

I want as many young people and families as possible to see this film so that they understand the consequences of such accidents on small communities like their own. The film shows just how dangerous it is to be irresponsible behind the wheel. It doesn't only show the immediate consequences of the accident, but also the consequences for the family, the community, and the girl herself. People in Canada have contacted us to say how moved they were by the clip. A young driver from Cornwall sent me an email to say that the film should be shown to young people when they pass their driving test. I told him that that was exactly what we - the fire service, the ambulance service and the helicopters - were hoping for when we were shooting it."

Mick Giannasi

Chief constable

Français

Comments

not just teens - let's honk in protest

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Wed, 23/09/2009 - 17:48.

so what are we to say when we see truck drivers of 18 wheelers texting as I did last week?

I say we 'honk'our horns in protest and flash our lights when we see someone texting as they drive so that everyone around the texter will beware and the texter will stop out of being identified... we owe it to each other to identify loosers that have to text and drive who put us all at risk.

stop the insanity.

Unregistered user

aforementioned

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 11/09/2009 - 04:56.

I have a 15 y/o Daughter, and just received this email this evening. I viewed it, and then called my daughter in my room to view it as well. I feel this brings a compelling point to the table, in that, as we see these kids flying down the road during spring break, holidays, what have you; they need to really realize the effects of their selfishness, and not just our young drivers, but everyone out there. Thank you for sharing this, and I can only pray those families will be strong enough; and spiritual enough to shoulder the repercussions of such a horrible ordeal.

texting while driving

Submitted by Katharine M. Scatena (not verified) on Fri, 11/09/2009 - 04:07.

How is it that there was a camera in the car of the girl who caused the accident and on the scene, unless it was a simulated accident. I don't think the simulations will stop any teen or adult from texting, They always have to learn the hard way.

I cried!

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 14/09/2009 - 21:29.

Are you kidding. This is a film! this film is truely great. I am 26 and know soo many people who text while driving. Its sad. I have even heard a few people who text with their children in the car. Its rediculous! and people need to stop. I cried so hard when they showed the baby not responding. This family was driving safe and still paid for it. Texting and cell phones while driving NEED TO STOP!!

I disagree with Katherine

Submitted by Annette from Long Beach, CA (not verified) on Fri, 11/09/2009 - 23:34.

The article clearly says that it is a film created to bring awareness to this issue.
I dont know, but I assume it is based on a real events because of the name of the film. Either way, I disagree with you. This happens all the time and I believe that simulations, such as this, can educate people. I am an adult and it affected me deeply.
I will be showing this to my daughter who will be driving this year. I am happy that most people will do the same and not be as pessemistic and close minded as you are.

I live in the US and am the

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 11/09/2009 - 00:00.

I live in the US and am the mother of 2 teenagers that are learning to drive. I am definitely going to show this video to them. Thank you for caring enough to make this film public.

The sequel should be the

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 04/09/2009 - 17:14.

The sequel should be the accident caused by people watching this video on their iPod, iPhone, or dash video display.

Here in California we have

Submitted by Fatsurfer (not verified) on Thu, 03/09/2009 - 18:40.

Here in California we have laws aplenty governing the use of cell phones while driving. Doesn't matter. I'm dodging these clueless boobs every day during my commute. Defensive driving is the only thing between myself and disaster. The "Cassies" out there are not going to give up their addiction to this foolish fad. My 18-year-old son has seen this video as have most of his friends. He reports that once the initial shock wore off, they were back at it, careening down the freeway texting like mad.

Lol.

Submitted by Anon (not verified) on Thu, 03/09/2009 - 18:31.

I'm going to stop now!!

Submitted by Matthew (not verified) on Thu, 03/09/2009 - 16:06.

Wow...this video really put things into perspective for me. I didn't think my texting while driving would cause such grief...just never thought of it. After viewing this, I will not be texting any more while driving. I've got 2 kids and a lovely wife...wouldn't want them to lose me for my stupidity...nor do I want to take another person's life as my text is not that important.

Great Video

Submitted by Art (not verified) on Wed, 02/09/2009 - 20:36.

This is a great video because every one needs to remember what happens when you get distracted while driving. As the slogan from the South Carlina HP states: "Highways or Dieways the choice is yours!" they also run TV spots that just a little graphic than the video which only run for 60 seconds. I have always liked them because it's a true fact.

Driving Habits

Submitted by Recklessone (not verified) on Wed, 26/08/2009 - 20:39.

When operating a motor vehicle, anything less than total concentration is an invitation to disaster. Does it matter if it is texting, eating, changing the radio station, ipod playlist, CD, being under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or doing anything else that causes ones focus to shift? Not at all, the one fact that matters is a lack of concentration causes wrecks.

"Keep your eyes on the road and your hands up on the wheel."

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 25/08/2009 - 12:04.

Who cares....,.presumably this evidence does not apply to Gwent police officers driving at high speed whilst using radios!!!!
How many times are innocent members of the public killed by reckless police drivers???? Not many of these drivers get prosecuted...

i care it saddens me to

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 12/09/2009 - 17:47.

i care it saddens me to think people as selfish as u r out there. when u loose a friend or family member or someone wants to kick your !!! because u hurt someone while texting and driving u will see. i hope its not to late for u like it was for me ill never get her back all because someone had to be stupid and selfish. she was my best friend wonerful mom and now she is gone.

Spoken like a Teenager

Submitted by Safety Dude (not verified) on Tue, 01/09/2009 - 16:41.

Who cares? Everyone does... your friends, your parents, your brothers and sisters. The re-direct to the Police only says, you condone texting while driving. Now... I care. I am the poor jerk on the road, driving safely, the one you hit, the one you kill. Are you willing to support my wife? My children? Pay for my funeral costs? Stand there and tell my loved ones, why you killed me? Please tell me... please... was that text message that important that it cost me, my life? Was it?

This film should be shown at

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 25/08/2009 - 15:07.

This film should be shown at Motor Vehichle Testing centers to teens getting their licsence. All over the world! Powerful!

who cares

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 25/08/2009 - 14:20.

There are far more people using cell phones while driving than police officers using radios!

a lot of people care..

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Thu, 27/08/2009 - 01:37.

wow.. this is such a powerful message. i think it should be shown in school and testing centers.. as many places as possible. wow.. thats all i can say. this is amazing.

i agree this should be shown

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Thu, 27/08/2009 - 04:44.

i agree this should be shown in schools, driver education, etc. when i was in high school and a freshmen i remember seeing a short film that the Louisiana State Troopers presented and I've never forgotten it. that was 25 years ago and now my daughter is a sophmore and drives. i'm glad someone put this together and i made her watch it with me. i told her to watch it again and she was sick!!! she could not watch it again...and hopefully she'll think twice about texting, talking on her phone, or adjusting her music.

powerful short film!!!

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 25/08/2009 - 14:04.

I can't believe this short film would NOT affect anyone with any compassion and respect for human life...to say 'who cares' is immmature at the very least.
Police officers are trained to do what they do...they do not get into a squad car and send text msgs and are always aware of their surroundings unlike foolish young people.

reply to the comment before

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 25/08/2009 - 12:41.

You say "who cares" what a heartless thing to say i watched this and was blown away and my son who is taking his test tomorrow is sure to watch it !
Police are trained to the highest standard as where us the general public are NOT unless you have done an advanced driving course but even that is nothing to what the police have ! yes unfortunatly ACCIDENTS happen even for the police but these are very few and far between when you see the amount of public accidents - why dis the Police when they are there to help us and support us if everyone had an attitude like you the world would be a sorry place to be !
I certainly think young people who pass their test should see this without a doubt !!!
fantastic although horrific advert - well done xx

Who cares

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 25/08/2009 - 16:00.

You genuinely think sitting down a teenager and making them watch this film is going to make them think twice!!!! if yes, your in la-la land..
Teenagers and vehicles have a terrible track record, fact, the freedom a vehicle affords them is incredible.....if they take risks they die, simple.
My point was and is, Police vehicles are packed with radios, computers, plenty of devices to distract a person when driving, whats the difference? it is still a distraction placing other road users at risk.....
This situation is simple to correct, raise the driving limit age, as here in France.....i am sure the British government will introduce some ridiculas new legislation as a knee-jerk reaction!!!
I stand by my initial comment 'who cares' this girl took a risk, she payed the price for her own stupidity....

yes she did take a risk, and

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Wed, 16/09/2009 - 23:01.

yes she did take a risk, and she did pay the price for it. yes there are the people who dont mind the risks associated with texting and driving. but the people who have lost friends and family because of these people care. the parents who have to bury their child because of someone else's stupidity care. the people in the ER that have to see the results of these accidents care. its people like you that put the thought into a teenager's head that "oh well, it won't happen to me" by leaving your derogatory comments on things that could very well save someone's life. and what makes you think raising the driving age will help? then you just have older unexperienced drivers doing the same thing. and i dont know about france but here in america the computers, radios, switches and stuff in a police car are easily accessible and most are only used when the vehicle is stopped. only the radio is used while driving and the siren switch. but even having a passenger in the car and having a conversation with them can cause an accident.

Lets hope you, or anyone of

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Wed, 26/08/2009 - 03:12.

Lets hope you, or anyone of your family doesn´t get involved in an accident like this just because some teenager is writing text on his mobile phone. The video is just a random thing, but the idea is quite crystal. It can just happen to anyone. But, as usual we allways think that it will never happen to our selfs, until ........

You missed the point again,

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 25/08/2009 - 19:53.

You missed the point again, the teenager texting did not pay the price because she is still alive. She will go home, eat a sandwich, hug her mom, grow up, get married...blah blah, but she will live. Get it? Too many people focus on what will harm themselves, you should also think about what will harm others. This video is in hopes that not just new drivers, but everyone will think again before they make a dumb choice like this. When you say "who cares" you are one of the people who only looks out for yourself. That is what is really wrong with people in general. When you are able to care other just as you care for yourself, good decisions come easy.

LADY GAGA

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Thu, 03/09/2009 - 17:45.

On a serious note, has anyone seen the Lady Gaga video?

Nope, i did not miss the

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 25/08/2009 - 23:28.

Nope, i did not miss the point, i fail to understand how a video will change the driving habits of cretins who drive recklessly....said girl will live with the consequences forever.
Frankly i do not care, i am sick and tired of being bombarded by the media telling when and who to sympathise with, apparently intelligent doctors leaving their daughters alone to dine with friends on holiday, dim-witted medical students dying from self-induced drug overdoses, should we legislate against the stupid in society? No doubt the labour elite would love to, as for me not having any compassion, i served my country, fought and saw plenty of events far more graphic than this so called hard hitting video..young men and women of the same age slaughtered willingly by the government in the vain hope of winning an un-winable conflict, which is the more sickening?
Good decisions come easy? apparently that only applies if i agree with your point of view..

Texting While Driving

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Wed, 26/08/2009 - 02:41.

How sad for you. It is apparent you are just refusing to get the point. I have lost friends in the war, I have lost friends in car accidents; they are both sad and yes should not happen. What is wrong with a bit of prevention - if it only helps one it helps. I feel sorry that you don't get it. But someday you will; believe me.

mmmm yes you did miss the point .........

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Wed, 26/08/2009 - 01:13.

............... in each of your replies you show how you monumentally miss the point over and over again - suggest you stay in France.

The driver that was texting

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Wed, 26/08/2009 - 00:13.

The driver that was texting survived, the other people involved in the accident did not. Texting, or anything else that distracts the driver is hazardous. It could be alcohol, drugs, prescription medicines, texting. The video did a fine job of making it's point.

I also do not understand the "she payed the price for her stupidity" comment. Not only is this attitude a poor one to carry, it is also not appropriate in this scenario. You have completely missed the point of this well=made video.