A hard-hitting film to highlight the dangers of texting while driving has become a viral hit securing almost 1.5 million views online.
The work has been made by Gwent Police and features a teenage girl who causes four deaths by texting while driving.
Costing only £10,000 to make, it has received almost 1.5 million views on YouTube, and rising.
By comparision, the current Department of Transport's drug driving awareness campaign has cost £2.3 million. The video has been viewed just 18,000 time's on the department's official YouTube channel.
Interest in the video, entitled ‘Cow’ has crossed over the Atlantic.
Top US network, Fox TV News, discussed the work in a piece examining the value of using shock tactics to engage drivers illegally using mobile phones.
The media giant also showed clips of the film during a news piece relating to a Bill currently going though the U.S. Senate which would require each U.S. State to ban texting and driving within two years.
Following the premiere of the film in Tredegar, Wales, earlier this year, clips of the film were posted on YouTube and other video sharing sites by Gwent Police in a bid to drive viewing and awareness of the dangers of texting and driving.
As a result of the video going viral, the clip became the most viewed film on YouTube last week (w/c August 17, 2009).
Gwent’s Chief Constable, Mick Giannasi, who is also National ACPO lead for Roads Policing in the UK, said he was delighted that the film had been viewed by so many people.
“The messages contained in the film are as relevant to the people of Tennessee as they are to the residents of Tredegar,” he said.
“Texting and driving can have tragic consequences and the more this film is viewed the better.”
See the video below. Watch with caution, if you're squeamish.
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