National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a couple of public service announcement clips to warn teenagers about the perils of distracted driving, with focus on texting and driving. They have taken a direct, no-nonsense approach in making these clips that sure delivers the message.

NHTSA does not sugarcoat it. If you text while you’re driving, you can die. Texting and driving is the same as driving blindfolded. They also provide some statistics to support this argument. In 2012 alone 3,328 people were killed and 421,000 injures as a result of distracted driving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oeCUM2Alaw

“This campaign puts distracted driving on par with our efforts to fight drunk driving or to encourage seatbelt use,” said Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Across the country, we’re putting distracted drivers on notice: If you’re caught texting while driving, the message you receive won’t be from your cell phone, but from law enforcement – U Drive. U Text. U Pay.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_-6EoNhitg

“National campaigns like Click It or Ticket and local efforts like Phone in One Hand. Ticket in the Other. show that combining good laws with effective enforcement and strong public education campaigns can – and do – change unsafe driving behaviors,” said NHTSA Acting Administrator David Friedman. “We will continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners to urge drivers to put down electronic devices and focus on the task of driving.”