Did you know that April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month? It makes me sad that we even need a month to create awareness for why we shouldn't be distracted while driving, but we do. Thousands die each year because people continue to use their cellphones while driving. What I find truly astounding is that so many text while driving. I can barely manage to send an error free text when all I'm doing is texting. Adding driving and having people's lives on the line instead of just a typo seems so not worth it. Do we even need an explanation as to why this is a bad idea? Apparently we do because according to Distraction.gov, over 70 percent of teens and young adults have sent or read a text while driving.
A new ad has been created that is aimed at making teens and young adults and ALL of us realize how dangerous it is to text and drive. This PSA is shocking, upsetting and graphic.
Read more in ¿Qué más?: The scariest PSA you never want your kids to see
The spot is an everyday slice of life scene taking place in a car with happy young people being happy and young. The driver is chatting with the passenger and also texting as she drives. What happens next is not pretty, but it is not an exaggeration. It is what can happen and does happen because of drivers being distracted while texting.
You should be warned that the spot is upsetting. I still think it is worth watching and sharing. Every single time that I am out on the road, I see at least one person who is either texting, writing a text or fumbling with their cellphone while driving. It's not cute, it's inexcusable. It can wait! If your kids are too young to drive, teach them now by example that it is not okay to text and drive. If your kids are old enough to drive, show them this ad and talk about the dangers of being distracted while driving with them. Please.
Image via USDOTNHTSA/YouTube
