Attention Gleeks: Texting while driving is bad, according to new DOT ad

The Department of Transportation is using an actress from the popular television show "Glee" to try to convince young drivers to stop texting while they are driving.

The DOT released on Wednesday two commercials featuring actress Dianna Agron, who plays the character Quinn Fabray on "Glee." In the commercials, which are 15 and 30 seconds long, respectively, Fabray takes her eye off the road to text friends she is meeting with and is hit on the driver side by an oncoming truck.

"You think you're just checking your messages, or telling a friend you're on your way," Agron says in one of the commercials. "They could be last words you ever type.

"Five seconds are the average time your eyes are off the road while texting while driving," she said in the other PSA. "Make sure you get where you're going."

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Wednesday that commercials with Agron would help get the message against texting while driving through to teenaged drivers.

“Distracted driving is an epidemic on our roadways, and our youngest and most inexperienced drivers are often the most at risk," LaHood said in a statement released by DOT.

“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," he said.

The commercials are apart of DOT's "Stop The Texts. Stop The Wrecks." campaign. The agency has spent more than $20 million in "donated media" on the ads, DOT said Wednesday.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) chief David Strickland said Wednesday that he hoped the ads featuring Agron were effective.

“It’s imperative that we help educate the public about the dangers of texting while driving,” Strickland said in a statement. “These new PSAs show that distracted driving can have serious consequences, and we hope that’s a message young drivers take to heart and share with their friends.” 

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