The `viral video’ has reached web users across the world, including India and South America and has over 2 million hits on You Tube. It has also featured on CNN, discussed in Time magazine, and described by an advertiser as possibly one of the most powerful public information films ever made.
The 30-minute film is to be shown on BBC Wales in October. The force is also working on a schools learning pack. Gwent’s Chief Constable Mick Giannasi said: "I am astonished but encouraged by the way news of the film had spread" and has had suggestions that it should be used as part of the theory test for young drivers. The film was made for just "a few thousand pounds" by the force using amateur actors. The force had intended to make a film about joyriders but were told by youngsters from nearby Tredegar Comprehensive School that texting is more dangerous. The film director Peter Watkin-Hughes said: "If we can get one person to change their behaviour then it is worthwhile." Source: Telegraph, 4 September 2009. tinyurl.com/nvy59m
For anyone who still thinks that phone driving, or text-driving, is safe, then the short film is worth a look just to see what the consequences of an unnecessary conversation/text message can look like: tinyurl.com/nvy59m
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this Steve, it is really sad and had quite an effect. I'm confident that this sort of film can prevent wasted lives and hope that it is widely communicated.
ReplyDeleteAll the best
Ian
Hi Ian, it certainly is. I think the film will have some effect, but this might be limited because people so often think "it won't happen to me". Looking at the seat belt laws and the smoking laws in pubs, I think that attitude change often lags behind direct behavioural change. So stricter laws and much stricter enforcement might be the only thing that will make a step change, as the likelihood of bad consequences will seem less acceptable. Best wishes, Steve.
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