WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Queen bee "Glee" TV character Quinn Fabray stars in a U.S. public service announcement that began airing Wednesday against sending text messages while driving.
In the spot, aimed at young adults, Fabray, played by actress Dianna Agron, is driving to meet friends but "can't seem to get anywhere quickly." She doesn't want her friends "to be annoyed," so she texts she's "on my way."
She pushes the "send" button just as she crosses an intersection and a fast-moving pickup truck broadsides her car on the driver's-side door.
"Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting while driving," a young female announcer says. "Make sure you get where you're going."
A black-background full-screen image says, "Stop the texts. Stop the wrecks."
The PSA campaign -- taken from a scene from the Fox TV musical comedy-drama that aired in April, when Fabray was a bridesmaid on her way to a wedding -- includes a print version and a Web site, StopTextsStopWrecks.org.
The campaign is supported by the U.S. Transportation Department's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the non-profit Ad Council, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, and state attorneys general and consumer protection agencies.
"Distracted driving is an epidemic on our roadways, and our youngest and most inexperienced drivers are often the most at risk," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. "Young people across the country watch 'Glee,' and we're thrilled to partner with the show to spread the word that texting and driving don't mix."
More than 3,000 people were killed in 2010 in distraction-related crashes, accounting for about 1 in every 10 U.S. highway fatalities, the NHTSA says.
