WASHINGTON (CBSDC) – Distracted driving is a growing national problem, and hospital and government leaders in Maryland are turning to shock video to help spread the message.

In the video, “Get the Message,” a group of teenagers are involved in a major accident after the young woman behind the wheel crashes into a fence while texting.  The images are disturbing, but John Kuo, with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, says that’s the point.

“These images are vivid and stark. And while dramatic, it unfortunately depicts every day, real-life instances.”

The video will now be used in all of the state’s driver education curriculum to reach the youngest of drivers.

“Sending or reading a text message takes your eyes off the road for almost five seconds,” Kuo says. “At 55 miles per hour, that’s like driving the entire length of a football field blindfolded.”

On Thursday, the Governors Highway Safety Association called for every state to ban hand-held cell phone use while driving.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The images in the following video are graphic.  Viewer discretion advised.