Introduction: I have chosen the Don’t Text and Drive PSA as the subject of my analysis. Texting has exploded with the growth and expansion of social technology. The epidemic is so serious that laws have been enacted nationwide. Telecommunications companies and even car manufacturers have produced public service campaigns to address the problem. According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, texting while driving increases the risk of a crash 23 times more than driving while not distracted. In comparison, drivers while intoxicated have 4 times the risk of crashing as sober drivers.
Sender-receiver relationship: In the last couple of years, PSAs have been extremely graphic illustrating exactly what happens before, during and after …show more content…
The scare tactics relies on the basis that most people who text and drive do not think about the consequences to themselves and others. The slippery slope is that people are becoming more careless with technology improvements. However, vehicles are being made with the internet and ways to sync your phone. This allows you to text back, hands-free (hands on the wheel), a message that says you’re driving or by using voice, one that is custom. There might also be ad populum in this PSA; “It’ll never happen to me.”
Language: The mother asks the teenage girl, somewhat rhetorically, whether the girl knows she’s in her lane and if she’s paying attention, if she’s texting. This upsets the girls that she tells the mother that she was “just checking in with her [own] mom…[when] we would be home.” The fact that children should respond to their parents is confused in this situation since the mother responds with “It’s okay. There’s enough time. Just pay attention.” Finally, the mother refers to her children as “babies,” which marks them innocent. Sadly, this isn’t enough.
Conclusion: Drivers assume they can handle texting while driving and remain safe. The truth is that even a look can cost a life. Through its use of pathos, logos, ethos and call to senses, this PSA is very effective in communicating the message, “Don’t Text and Drive.” I would like to know whether these realistic PSAs have influenced the number of accidents and
Sender-receiver relationship: In the last couple of years, PSAs have been extremely graphic illustrating exactly what happens before, during and after …show more content…
The scare tactics relies on the basis that most people who text and drive do not think about the consequences to themselves and others. The slippery slope is that people are becoming more careless with technology improvements. However, vehicles are being made with the internet and ways to sync your phone. This allows you to text back, hands-free (hands on the wheel), a message that says you’re driving or by using voice, one that is custom. There might also be ad populum in this PSA; “It’ll never happen to me.”
Language: The mother asks the teenage girl, somewhat rhetorically, whether the girl knows she’s in her lane and if she’s paying attention, if she’s texting. This upsets the girls that she tells the mother that she was “just checking in with her [own] mom…[when] we would be home.” The fact that children should respond to their parents is confused in this situation since the mother responds with “It’s okay. There’s enough time. Just pay attention.” Finally, the mother refers to her children as “babies,” which marks them innocent. Sadly, this isn’t enough.
Conclusion: Drivers assume they can handle texting while driving and remain safe. The truth is that even a look can cost a life. Through its use of pathos, logos, ethos and call to senses, this PSA is very effective in communicating the message, “Don’t Text and Drive.” I would like to know whether these realistic PSAs have influenced the number of accidents and