Deadly Driving Distractions

Gr 7 Up—Featuring a documentary filming style (no narration), hip music, important statistics, and interviews with teens, teachers, and medical professionals, this program underscores the dangers of distracted driving. There are six chapters: "Introduction," "What Is Distracted Driving?," "Texting and Other Distractions," "How to Avoid Distractions," Inattention Blindness," and "Preventing Distracted Driving." While most of the distractions are cell phone related, the teens also indicate their concern about other driving distractions such as listening to music and eating, and admit to not feeling comfortable in a car where the driver is distracted. Medical professionals discuss the issue of brain development in teens and how research has shown that it is difficult for them to multitask efficiently. They also discuss the kinds of head trauma that can occur in a car accident. The film concludes with the story of a young man who died at the wheel because he was texting. An excellent choice for a high school assembly or health class to initiate discussions about driving while distracted and how to prevent it.—Ivy Miller, Wyoming Seminary Upper School, Kingston, PA