Texting and Driving: The Deadliest Distraction

Recalling the (often grisly) high school driver education films of the 1950s, this production looks at a very modern cause of accidents involving distracted drivers—namely, texting and driving. Although some states have outlawed the use of cell phones while driving, the annual teen death toll for distracted driving is a tragic 3,000 (in addition to 330,000 injuries). This guidance program combines interviews of high school students and parents with a sensitively portrayed re-enactment of a fatality in which the victim was driving alone on a country lane near her home when she lost control of her vehicle and it overturned. Nearly dead from her injuries by the time she was discovered, the young woman ultimately perished. The story reminds us that even in the most unlikely of circumstances, inattentiveness behind the wheel can lead to deadly consequences. Particularly enlightening here is the use of a virtual reality simulator in which teenagers, using their own phones, are instructed to text while normal (and unpredictable) driving conditions are presented, and each is scored (“penalized” might be a better term). Some are issued “tickets” or “arrested,” while others simply don't survive the simulation. DVD extras include a teacher's resource PDF guide with activities, fact sheets, and learning objectives. A powerful, timely, well-produced cautionary program, this is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, P. (C. Block)