The most critical aspect of the edit was to create a sense of empathy and relatability, rather than just shame. It was important to make sure the viewer felt emotionally invested in the lives of the characters, so the impact of the accident could be felt on a visceral level.

In “Close to Home,” we are introduced to six characters on a perfectly

average day. Their lives are then irrevocably changed by the devastating consequences of a seemingly innocent glance at a smart phone while driving.

While most Americans recognize the danger in using their smartphones while driving, seven in 10 drivers still do it, whether it’s looking at alerts, emails or social media posts. So we set out to convince people of all driving ages that any activity on your phone—not just texting—can be deadly behind the wheel.

We are no longer talking exclusively to teens. This is a huge problem, causing as many as 3,000 deaths a year in the U.S. Many of us engage in this behavior on a daily basis without a second thought about how truly irresponsible it is. We needed to create a story line in which viewers could easily envision themselves.