Deadly Driving Distractions: Texting, Cell Phones, and Other Killers

Despite being packed with statistics—for each friend you add to the car, your risk for a crash doubles; 80 percent of all collisions involve some type of distraction; every 45 minutes, someone dies as a result of drunk driving—Deadly Driving Distractions offers more than just scary numbers, interweaving realistic dramatic vignettes, interviews with adult professionals, and a roundtable discussion with teens to get across the important message that any distraction (visual, manual, or cognitive) could have serious consequences. While cell phone usage (texting and talking) is a major focus, other potential dangerous situations covered include interactions with others in a vehicle, reaching for objects, eating or drinking, fatigue, loud music, and alcohol. The film concludes with a brief segment about a young man who died behind the wheel while texting. Although relevant for any driver, this program is aimed specifically at young people, who will hopefully exercise better judgment after viewing it. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (E. Gieschen)