(warning, graphic video) Here in Michigan, the new texting while driving ban

[mynameiswhat]

is going to be in effect on july 1st.while talking about it in my criminal justice class, my teacher played this video that is being played over the pond in the UK. This video made me and my friends commit to not text and drive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0LCmStIw9E

[JuniperLea]

1. I am going to do my part in making this video go viral!

Good for you and your friends... that's a very smart decision.

I drive a total of 42 miles on the Los Angeles freeways every weekday... I see texting while driving every single day, several times a day. I had a semi nearly kill me just yesterday because the asshat behind the wheel was texting... then had the fucking nerve to flip me off when I honked my horn to let him know that the lane he was trying to get into was already occupied.

Friends don't let friends text and drive!

[Hempathy]

11. It already went viral several months ago.

[JuniperLea]

15. If that were the case...

I wouldn't have received 100% feedback from my list... someone would have seen it...

[Hempathy]

22. regardless- that IS the case.

maybe it's time to update your...list? :shrug:

[dipsydoodle]

2. Yup

We have stuff like that here in the UK to help get the message across. Effective isn't it.

Max penalty for even using a mobile 'phone while driving is 2 years in prison.

[mynameiswhat]

4. I wish more people could see this! it is effective! my whole class was shocked after seeing it.

[dipsydoodle]

12. I've reposted it on FB

in the hope that some of my friends will take a hint. Personally I don't take too well people doing that and don't hesitate to to draw their attention to the 18" wheels with full size tyres on my Jeep Unlimited which could rip the side of their car with damaging mine at all.

[tinymontgomery]

3. All I can say is WoW

Very powerful. Just sent it to my wife who teaches teenagers. Of course told her to be careful showing it.

[mynameiswhat]

6. Yes. it is a very graphic video. My teacher warned us before showing it

and told anyone if they have a weak stomach or something they can leave class if they want to.

[RoyGBiv]

5. Damn

That's powerful.

I was in a wreck a little over a year ago that was caused by a driver behind the cab I was in txting while driving. She hit us going 40mph+. Luckily no one was killed, but my back has been permanently screwed up because of it, and the poor independent cab driver has a permanent limp and lost his only source of income for six months.

[TommyO]

7. I know it's a dramatisation*, but damn, it's effective.

I was at a stop sign and was rear-ended by a driver who was texting, totaling my car, he said he never saw me or the stop sign.

*yes, I used the proper spelling of "dramatization"

[dipsydoodle]

13. Those are school girls in that video

Good actresses though. I'm pleased its been picked up your side by the OP.

[tblue37]

25. The proper *British* spelling--American spelling uses a z"--

Context is everything.

Some years ago SNL had a sketch with guest host Jummy Smits (who is, in case you don't know, Hispanic). He was playing a news reporter in a discussion with his Anglo colleagues about tornadoes and other news stories--as well as about ordering lunch from a nearby Mexican resaurant. His colleagues kept confusing him by pointedly and pretentiously using forceful, exaggerated Spanish pronunciations of words like "tornado," "burrito," "Mexico," "burro," etc.

If you are British or from a country that uses British spelling, then the "s" certainly is proper spelling; but if you are an American, then it isn't.

[Angry Dragon]

8. Passed it on

[alstephenson]

9. Well here in Arizona our wonderful state legislators...

recently voted DOWN a law banning texting while driving. But you can open carry your gun just about anywhere you want to go - including bars. This state is SO screwed.

[Rhythm]

10. Here's another good one... not as graphic, but gets to the point.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPlnNaHGZY8

[DJ13]

14. Ouch, very good lesson there!

[eppur_se_muova]

16. With all due respect, since when is it a "commitment" to NOT DO SOMETHING STUPID??

It would never, ever, even occur to me to try texting while driving. If I were in the car when a driver tried that I'd take the damned thing out of his hands, or get out and walk -- but not before chewing his ass out.

I can't believe people need this *EXPLAINED* to them. :grr:

[mynameiswhat]

18. So you are perfect and have never done anything dumb in your life?

congrats! :)

[Silent3]

19. What the hell does being "so perfect" have to do with it?

Texting while driving is a monumentally stupid thing. How much perfection does it take to avoid being monumentally stupid?

[eppur_se_muova]

21. So you enjoy putting words in my mouth? I see you do. Guilty and convicted.

I only claim not to be so totally fucking stupid that I would think it would be even remotely safe to drive a car while trying to peck out a message on a tiny little keyboard, or that I had the right to risk the lives of other people by trying to do so. I see that you have no problem with killing other people just so you can "chat" with your friends. I'm sure you don't remember saying that, but that's what you did.

[tblue37]

26. But there is dumb--and then there is *insane.* nt

[Lisa0825]

17. I saw it last year.... and every time I see it, it makes me cry.... very effective.

I put it up there with the crying American Indian as far as the effectiveness of a PSA goes.

[seabeyond]

20. my oldest is getting license in a year. i had him watch it a couple months ago

and have saved it for my youngest when it gets closer to his time

[Jkid]

23. The video is not really a ad but a long execpt from the film "Only Stwpd Cowz Txt N Drive"

It's a great film as a whole, you should all check it out sometime.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eqYxE0dhBs - Part One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k51CyWnjKRU - Part Two
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U66H7RQZwwY - Part Three
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uPkW4tDP_4 - Part Four

[Rex]

24. Yes that is the rest of the stuff the news doesn't show. Not enough time

and might disturb people into thinking.