The brutal texting-and-driving ad every driver should see

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and this year the Department of Transportation is marking the occasion with an unprecedented - and memorable - ad campaign. The centerpiece is a 30-second spot dubbed "Manifesto," which shows a young driver glancing down at her phone, then plays out the resulting crash in vivid slow-motion:

The $8.5 million ad campaign is part of a larger effort that includes a nationwide law enforcement crackdown on texters from April 10-15. The DOT-run website distraction.gov outlines statistics on distracted driving (an estimated 3,328 people were killed in distraction-related crashes in 2012) and calls texting the "most alarming distraction" of all, since it requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention, all of which should be focused on the road. A driver has his or her eyes off the road for an average of five seconds while texting, the site says, which at 55 mph is "enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded."

Another bracing PSA that went viral earlier this year shows a freeze-frame of what would happen if two drivers were allowed to "talk" before crashing into each other. Produced by the New Zealand Transport Agency, the campaign targeted drivers who habitually speed because they feel "competent and in control." High production values lend to the emotional power of the video:

Both videos serve as stark reminders of what's at stake when we're behind the wheel. The DOT urges all drivers to follow these steps to help prevent distracted driving accidents:

• Turn off electronic devices and put them out of reach before starting to drive.


• Be good role models for young drivers and set a good example. Talk with your teens about responsible driving.


• Speak up when you are a passenger and your driver uses an electronic device while driving. Offer to make the call for the driver, so his or her full attention stays on the driving task.


• Always wear your seat belt. Seat belts are the best defense against other unsafe drivers.