Experts Doubt Gory Crash Video Will Trim Teen Texting

A horrifying car crash video graphically highlighting the gory dangers of texting behind the wheel has been viewed some 4 million times online. But experts doubt that it will significantly change teen driver behavior, reports the New York Times. The video-gone-viral has been the buzz of schools since it was produced by Welsh officials following teen advice to make it super dramatic. But the screams, dead baby and bloodied faces may not be having an impact.

"Most people already know these behaviors are not safe, but they do them anyway,” said a spokeswoman for a nonprofit research group financed by car insurers. A road safety researcher said people “erase the fear" by saying: "That's not me." Still others warn the message may be lost in the gore. Its popularity is likely due to its shock value, said a Vanderbilt University professor who studies risk. "The shock aspect may obscure the texting risk message," he said.
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