19 Comments

Anyone who's been in a car accident, or any kind of accident, can testify that the worst part is always the aftermath, as the accident itself lasts for a matter of seconds. So even though a few elements of the film are a little crude - no doubt due to a limited budget - I think overall it's effective.
James
2009-08-25 12:12:00

Great film. Well shot and well acted, especially the young driver. It did not go over the top and kept everything chillingly real. I will show it to my kids.
Glenn Holberton
2009-08-25 13:52:55

This shocking an ad is only sanctioned because it's deemed for the public good. I question whether the good they do is justification for the intrusion and shock they cause to the majority who already realise text messaging whilst driving isn't a good idea.
sqeemish joe
2009-08-25 14:22:02

Excuse this, but f*** me. That is exactly what every 6th form and Uni in the UK should show in September. I don't care much if people find it upsetting, killing people probably is, I found it upsetting, it's emotionally traumatic. Especially the moment where the driver looks at her mate, and starts to scream.

It smacks home what carelessness can cause. That with one text, your best mate dead, a baby unconscious, and countless lives and families could be wrecked

Following up from the drug driving one, where, oooh, I might get a fine and my dope taken off me, this drives the reality of the emotions home.

As James alluded to – it's the aftermath that destroys your life. The recurring nightmares of what you did, saw and caused.
http://www.grahamcreative.me
2009-08-25 14:32:56

Really shocking movie
Most Interesting Ideas
2009-08-25 14:38:06

brilliant
andy
2009-08-25 15:11:43

I understand how shock tactics can be effective but this is the most extreme example I have seen. Deeply upsetting as a parent of two four year old's, I really wish I hadn't seen this.
Matt
2009-08-25 16:19:30

Great movie. I had first seen this movie (part of it), by way of this clip:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QggEvJAlV1s



Now I feel like a big jerk.



I hope more people pull over on the side of the road to make telephone calls or play with their smart phones. It's getting real bad over in the states.
nirav v. patel
2009-08-25 16:26:00

It's not really an example of texting whilst driving, more an example of what could happen when you don't pay attention on the roads full stop. Whether you fiddle with the radio, air con or text on your phone, all can have the same consequences. I spend my life on the roads in all sorts of traffic conditions and believe me, using a phone whilst driving is only the half of it.

Excellent video though & agree with the fella above, should be shown to all kids before they even take their test nevermind just at Uni!

Perhaps Mr Hughes can do one for drink drivers, lorry drivers that think they own the road, dithering old pensioners, parents who turn round to lecture kids in the back seats, middle lane drivers, the list goes on...
G Man
2009-08-25 17:24:18

raised a tear from me when the little girl asked her mummy and daddy to wake up. it's a wake up call for any parent that texting while driving is NOT acceptable. well done all involved. agree that, occassionally shock tactics are ok - even if it raises difficult questions from young family, as adults we should take the opportunity to talk it through, and empower kids and adults alike with clear facts.
r
2009-08-25 17:28:56

Superb film.

Doesn't patronise, avoids exaggeration.

Clip stayed with me driving on the M25 today.

This needs to be shown during an evening TV slot.
Gavin
2009-08-25 22:26:54

completely horrific - only because i've never seen anything like this on film. get's the point across superbly. the sense of guilt the texter feels, really comes across. people die for the sake of a pointless text. i see drivers texting quite a bit in London, and even at traffic lights, it's not acceptable. this needs to go on telly!

well made film indeed.
schnabz
2009-08-26 13:22:44

EXCELLENT: Yes this video is harrowing, but realistic. Undoubtedly the Emergency Services and Medical Staff can confirm this, as can those who have been involved in such incidents, lived and been able to recount their story.
People, especially young and inexperienced ones, think bad things happen to others, and cannot happen them: Perhaps that is as it should be or no-one would bother to get out of bed for fear of coming to harm.
Some people will have difficultly viewing this video, but it says the thousands words of caution about safety that otherwise have been and would be ignored.
TV and cinema portray thousands of gratuitously violent deaths in the name of entertainment which we are not forced to watch, but some of us do:
Therefore, screening this video with a foreword of “WARNING OF SCENES OF A BLOODY & VIOLENT NATURE NOT SUITABLE FOR THOSE OF A DELICATE DISPOSITION ETC" may take care of that issue, or possibly detract from the shock value?
In any case, this video will save lives: EXCELLENT
DaMumzy
2009-08-26 14:31:54

Completely agree with 'R'. Raised tears from me as the mother of a 2 year old. Seeing the young children either not responding or begging a response from their parents was too much to bear.

It's frightening that your life can be in somebody else's hands, and can be changed in a heartbeat due to naivety and youth (in this instance).

Upsetting yes. Wrap it in cotton wool - no. It needs to be shown to as many people as possible - of all ages, not just the young.

Sally
Sally Wright
2009-08-27 08:34:26

absolutely stunning. I have MTV concentration and can't watch anything past 2.34mins. Gonna go back & watch it again before forcing my younger siblings to watch it through Clockwork Orange style.

Nice touch with the non responsive baby- as a mum, that's a real gut kicker.
Gemma Mercy
2009-08-27 10:15:03

amazingly shot and very hard hitting, and people saying that they don't like it and it shouldn't be shown because of the gore are very foolish, these real problems in life. like lack of responsibility when using a mobile while driving have to be addressed with the truth that the fact is in the end you wont jus have a cash fine on your hands but most likely the blood of others on them.
johnny
2009-08-27 17:24:59

Crash-related conversation aside, the only constructive criticism I have on this film is that the library-clip sounds (the 'Splat' at 0.16 timeframe and again further in) detracted away from the realism. I've heard the same sound clip on animations and stop-motion because of their ubiquity (both mainstream and student work), maybe record some realistic sounds and dub them in at the appropriate timeframes?
Stephen
2009-08-29 02:36:14

This is clearly a problem, but how stupid can people get texting while driving!! I wish the government did not have to pass laws, do advertising campaigns etc, if people took some responsibility and used some common sense we would not have the problems.
Art Smith
2009-09-05 22:21:57

Everyone should see this film, not just young people. Harrowing beyond belief.
jo
2009-09-07 22:23:11

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