Teens are by nature impulsive. ADD or ADHD teens are even more impulsive. Teens when learning how to drive or while driving with other teens are easily distracted by their friends. A teen using their cell phone to talk or text is a disaster waiting to happen. Anyone talking, texting, eating, dressing, grooming, or reading while driving is essentially practicing distracted driving, and poses a danger to those around him or her.

Recently the UK made a real-life video titled Texting While Driving PSA (public Service Announcement). The very graphic enactment shows the consequences of what can happen when a teen is driving with his or her friends while texting on a cell phone. In the end four people die as a result of a chain reaction accident caused by the careless texting of a driving teenager.

Some people feel the video is too real or too graphic. As an RN, and previous EMS worker married to a man who is a retired Boston EMS worker and firefighter, the video is very realistic. My husband and I have experienced many horrible accident scenes involving people of all ages. We both wish every teenager had to view this video, in fact everyone who has ever used a cell phone while driving should see the video.

What I do not understand is the fact people feel entitled to talk on a cell phone and or text while driving. The stats show many people who die in a car accident were receiving a call just prior to the accident. It is unknown how many were trying to dial out at the time of an accident. Although many places it is still considered legal to talk on a cell phone, there is a little enforced law call driving while distracted that essentially makes talking or texting illegal.

After viewing the video parents need to decide if they should allow their teenagers who drive or are getting ready to drive watch the video. I showed it to my 15 and ½ year old daughter who is currently in driver’s education. She proclaimed she would have nightmares if I continued to show it to her after the first 30 seconds, I said I already have nightmares. I set up the video and let her know it was an enactment. I also told her it is graphic and realistic.

The second time we watched the movie without the sound on and we were able to discuss how the accident happened. How one tends to pull the steering wheel in the direction he or she is leaning. How looking down at the radio, lighting a cigarette, and reaching for or using a cell phone is all it takes to cause a similar accident. A few precious seconds can change a life or many lives forever…

I hope people stop shying away from the excuse it is too graphic. Accidents are the number one cause of death for children and teens age 1 to 20. The people who say this video is too graphic are usually the same people who allow a child to play war games, or vividly detailed video games. Until people realize there is hardly ever a reason to be on a cell phone talking or texting while driving, we will continue to have many unnecessary and preventable accidents, injuries and deaths on our roads.

Hang up and drive. No one is so important that he or she has to talk or text on their cell while driving. Remember the life you save might be your own, or your child’s. My teen is not allowed to ride with any other teen and will not be allowed to drive with a friend in the car for a long time. Teens need to build on experience first and that takes many years. Please let me know what you think about the video if you choose to view it or have a teen view it. If the link does not get you to the video, then google Texting While Driving PSA or Texting While Driving UK video.