Text drive actress has uni break

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A teenager who stars in a shocking video to stop text driving is to take a gap year from university to pursue an acting career after it became a hit.

Jenny Davies plays Cassie Cowan in the safety video, who causes a crash while texting and driving in Blaenau Gwent.

It has been seen by several million people on the YouTube website and has been featured on American news shows.

Miss Davies, 18, of Abergavenny, said: "It has had a massive global reaction." She now wants to do more acting roles.

Despite being made for just £10,000, a four minute scene from the Gwent Police film has been seen by several million people across the world after it was posted on the internet.

The video has also attracted widespread media interest for its brutal and realistic content.

American network CBS interviewed the film's actors.

It has been quite overwhelming, knowing that all the national television stations in America have taken it on board Jenny Davies

Fox News have also used clips of the film during a news piece relating to a bill currently going through the US Senate which would require each state to ban texting and driving within two years.

A 30-minute version of the film, directed by Peter Watkins-Hughes, is due to be shown for the first time in the UK this autumn.

Miss Davies said she initially thought the film would only be shown in schools.

"It has been quite overwhelming, knowing that all the national television stations in America have taken it onboard and there is lots of news coverage over there as well," she said.

The former King Henry VIII School pupil was set to go to Bristol University this month to study for a drama degree after getting three As in her A-levels after switching to Hereford Sixth Form College.

A 30-minute version of the film will be shown in the UK

She is instead taking a gap year to gain more acting experience following the success of the safety video.

Talking about the graphic content of the film, she added: "Even though people say it is shocking and gory, it is important it is like that. For people my age, that is what I think affects us.

"I have friends who used to do it (text and drive) but have recently stopped. I think people are finally realising how dangerous it is.

"I've had emails from people who have thanked me and said they will never do it again. It is such a good thing to hear."

Gwent's Chief Constable, Mick Giannasi, who is also National ACPO lead for Roads Policing in the UK, has said he is delighted by the popularity of the film.

"The messages contained in the film are as relevant to the people of Tennessee as they are to the residents of Tredegar," he said.

"Texting and driving can have tragic consequences and the more this film is viewed the better."

The film shows how a brief lapse in concentration can have devastating consequences