A shocking new video has been made for school pupils in an attempt to reduce crashes caused by drivers texting whilst driving.
The short 30-minute film called ‘COW’ shows Cassie Cowan, a teenage girl, killing four people as a result of her using her mobile phone to send a text. A clip from the film is shown below…
It includes footage of all the emergency services attending the crash scene, including the air ambulance, police and firefighters.
Filmed in Wales in a joint venture between filmmaker Peter Watkins-Hughes and Gwent emergency services, Police said it hoped the graphic video would be shown in schools around Wales and hopefully the rest of the UK, in a bid to prevent future crashes caused by ALL drivers, but particularly young and new ones.
Lyn Samuel, Gwent Police’s school liaison coordinator, said the film was a “very impactive road safety educational tool to help reduce the number of collisions involving young drivers across Wales”.
Chief Inspector John Pavett from Gwent Police Roads Policing Unit hopes the serious message in this film will hit home to viewers:
“Making and receiving calls and texting whilst driving is still happening on roads not just in Gwent but all over the country. Seeing a scenario, like the one Cassie goes through, played out right before your eyes makes you realise how extremely dangerous it can be and what devastating consequences it can have.
“I hope that after watching this film motorists will think twice before picking up their mobile phone when behind the wheel and realise that a quick reply to a text message or answering a phone call is never worth putting theirs and other people’s lives at risk.”
A second clip from the film shows two relatives of the crash victims meeting at the hospital:
Recent research by the RAC Foundation showed reaction times slowed by 35% when 17 to 24-year-olds drove while reading or writing text messages.
Research last year also found that texting while driving impairs motorists more than being under the influence of drink or drugs.
The report found that almost 50% of drivers aged between 18 and 24 texted while driving.
As well as slowing reaction times, drivers who text often drifted out of lanes, had poorer steering control and the overall driving performance was poor.
Drivers currently face a £60 fine and three penalty points on their licence for using hand-held mobile phones at the wheel.
Tags: Drinking and driving, Driving distractions, Driving Law, Mobile phones, Police, RAC Foundation, Road casualties, Road deaths, Road Safety, Texting, Texting and driving
Very powerful message, says more than words from any driving instructor, worth showing to all pupils.
I agree Graham – think it’s fantastic. Would like to see the whole of the video – we’d certainly be interested in showing this in schools as part of a pre-driver course.
Just trying to find out how to source a copy…
yes we need more of these on TV!
We have a device that, when placed in a vehicle, will not allow any mobile
phone signals into the car. It is small and relatively inexpensive and will
prevent many deaths and injuries.
Regards
Malcolm Moss
I live in the us, does anyone know how I can view the entire 30 min video?
I’m not sure Jake – I have written to the film’s producer and to BBC Wales and am awaiting a reply. Nothing more is available at the moment other than these two ‘tasters’ on YouTube.
Will post any updates on this blog post
Thanks, please post if you find anything out.
I can now confirm that the programme will air on Monday 2nd November at 10pm GMT on BBC2 Wales (Sky Channel 991).
I will be posting a new blog post this evening to highlight this to everyone.
[...] the graphic texting & driving public information film which we discussed on the Latics blog in August is being given its TV premiere by BBC Wales next week after becoming a global hit on the [...]
Thank you for the information.
Thanks a lot