A graphic film highlighting the dangers of texting whilst driving has been shown to students at Coleg Gwent‘s City of Newport Campus.
PCSO Deke Williams of Newport East Neighbourhood Policing Team, who is based at the campus in Nash, decided to screen the Cow film to the students during their Road Safety Week. Hundreds of students aged between 15 and 60 turned up to watch the widely acclaimed film, which has received millions of viewers on YouTube and was shown on BBC Two Wales last month.
Cow, which stars young actors from south Wales, shows a teenager killing four people in a collision when she uses her mobile phone to send a text. Brynmawr filmmaker Peter Watkins-Hughes produced it for Gwent Police as an educational tool for young motorists.
“After watching Cow myself and being affected by it, I thought it would be a good idea for the students here to see it,” said PCSO Williams.”These film screenings are part of the ongoing partnership between Gwent Police and Coleg Gwent and will hopefully educate drivers of all ages about the dangers of using mobile devices whilst driving. The film has gained global attention because it is very realistic and uses such strong imagery to grab people’s attention. People of all ages really relate to it and many students spoke to me afterwards and said they would never even think about texting while driving again.”
Temporary Head of Learner Services at City of Newport Campus, Ann Johns, said: “Road Safety Week was a good opportunity to raise awareness of the hazards and dangers on the roads and highlight ways to stay safe. The students found the opportunity to ask PCSO Williams about road safety really useful. They showed a very enthusiastic response to the Cow film which will certainly have a lasting impact on their attitude to staying safe on the road.”
