Dayna Kempson Video Controversy
ByDayna Kempson Video Controversy
This past summer, 23-Year-old Dayna Kempson lost control of her car and was killed in the crash. Later, the parents are confronted with a graphic video taken by a firefighter at the scene of the crash. The investigation is ongoing. We know that anything we say cannot change how her loved ones feel, but for what it is worth, our condolences go out to her friends and family.
Her parents, who have every right to be angry, would like to see a law enacted to ban first responders from carrying cell phones to prevent them from taking pictures and/or video.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
• Do you believe pictures and videos like this have value in preventing things like distracted driving, driving under the influence, drowsy driving, etc…?
• Does the shock value play an important role in a society that takes driving for granted? IOW, do we need to “see it to believe it”?
• Do you believe that it is important for people who are visual learners to be confronted with graphic pictures and videos to get them to understand that:
- Most teen fatal crashes occur at night.
- Using a cell phone while driving makes you 4 x more likely to be in a crash.
- Being awake for 18 hours is equivalent to having a blood alcohol level of 0.08, which is legally drunk.
- Two-thirds of teens killed in crashes were not wearing seatbelts.
- 1/3 of all teen fatal crashes involve speeding.
- By carrying just one passenger the risk for a crash increases by 50 percent. With three or more passengers, the risk is nearly four times greater than while driving alone.
- Almost half of all traffic fatalities involving 16 to 24 year olds are alcohol-related.
- Using a cell phone when driving is AS dangerous as driving intoxicated.
- Six out of 10 drivers, aged 16–20, who were killed in crashes in the U.S. were not wearing seatbelts.
an example of using graphic content as a tool for prevention
is the UGotBrains “too true stories” page.
I can understand the parents’ anger but no, there shouldn’t be a law banning first responders from carrying cellphones. It would be ridiculous to put such a law in place. They need their phones for family emergencies, and business conduct too. Just file a suit against the fireman for posting the video w/out parental consent.
Overall, the use of graphic videos (w/ parental or family consent) to depict consequences of reckless driving is very important and helpful. Just telling people not to drink, use their cellphones while driving, or not to drive over-tired isn’t enough for desensitized people-especially teens and young adults who have this attitude that nothing bad can happen to them.
I dont see this as any different than when police take crime scene photos. With everything done digitally today the odds of the photos or videos being leaked is really high. That being said these are the things that drivers of all ages need to see in order to get the “it wont happen to me” attitude out of their minds.