Yorktown Mom Featured in Documentary Film Examining Rise in U.S. Road Crash Deaths

YORK COUNTY — Hieronymus Pictures recently announced the launch of “Power Trip,” a documentary film that examines the rise in U.S. road crash deaths and the media culture around high-risk driving, including movies, video games and car commercials that glamorize speed and aggression behind the wheel.

The film is written and directed by veteran investigative journalist Myron Levin.

“While deaths from car crashes are decreasing in other wealthy countries, they have risen sharply in the U.S.,’’ Levin explains. “Speed is a factor in nearly 30% of these crashes, yet popular media — including some car commercials — continue to celebrate the kind of high-risk driving that kills people and tears families apart.’’

Experts say frequent exposure to visuals of speed and risky stunts, without negative consequences, may influence driving habits, particularly among young males — the group that is most prone to risk-taking and suffers the highest rate of traffic deaths.

Many people who have lost loved ones in road crashes have channeled their grief into activism, including Tammy Guido McGee, a Yorktown woman who is featured in the film. She created a foundation to educate teens and parents about safe driving after her 16-year-old son Conner was killed when a speeding driver missed a curve and crashed.

“Conner’s death from speeding opened my eyes to the harsh reality that when car manufacturers and movies glamorize speed, our teens are put in harm’s way and can be influenced to take lethal risks. I’m determined to share our story ‘from tragedy to advocacy to action’ highlighting Conner’s 100% preventable death and the four bills I’ve been able to pass in Virginia in five years, and warn others that speed kills. No hype should ever justify risking a life,” Guido shared.

The film is narrated by acclaimed actor and voice artist Peter Coyote.

The film can be viewed at powertripfilm.com.