Texting and Driving: The Deadliest Distraction

Gr 9 Up—Using reenactments and real-life interviews, this video demonstrates the horror that is caused by distracted driving. It begins with the reenactment of a beautiful, promising teen's fatal mistake of texting while driving to school. Her family and friends speak about their senseless loss. In another scene, teens are invited to participate in a simulation of driving while texting. Using virtual reality googles in a car equipped to record and project the reality of the drivers' actions, they learn that they are not able to drive safely. After the simulator experience, the teens change their attitude, no longer thinking that it's uncool to ask a friend not to text while driving. They agree to speak up if a friend does so, and vow never to do it again themselves. The teacher's resource book, available as a PDF document, includes Human Relations Media's usual program summary, National Health Education Standards Performance Indicators, student activities, and a list of additional resources. This is a convincing program because of the realistic reenactment and the moving testimony of family and friends of the teen who died. Young adults who view this program will think twice before picking up their phones while behind the wheel.—Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Preparatory, San Jose, CA