The Story Behind The NYTimes' Texting-While-Driving Photo

A startling photograph ran on the front page of The New York Times today. Note the speedometer:

The photograph is by St. Louis freelance photographer Dan Gill and it ran with a story about the dangers of using cell phones while driving. Times readers are already asking some obvious questions about this photo.

• Was it set up?
• If it wasn't set up, how did the photographer get the picture?
• And should the photographer have told the teenage driver and passenger to cool it with the phone and drive safely?

We asked Gill to explain, and he got back to us quickly by e-mail and with a follow-up phone call. Here's how he got the picture.

Last year, Gill was assigned a story for the Times that involved shadowing a group of high school students. This photograph is from that body of work, but it was not published until now. The scene was not set up. Gill writes:

"In the course of doing the story in which I was hanging out with or shadowing three high school students I made the picture.

"I met them at their high school after classes and spent the evening with them. I told them I would be with them but to forget I was there. It did not take them long for them to forget I was there. We rode from school to one of their houses and down an inter belt highway. The driver was constantly texting 'his girls' throughout our travels. At one point on the eight-lane inter belt either the driver suggested his friend hold the wheel or his friend suggested it...and they did it.

"Were we safe? Probably not.... As journalists, we are not here to judge or to direct, but only to observe and tell the story."

Gill adds that the parents of the students knew he was with them. He and the Times have not identified the students in the picture.

Gill says he thinks this practice was common for them. "Would the kids be texting if I were not there? Yes," he says. As for whether he should have told them to stop rather than taking a photograph, he says, "It's not really up to the photographer to be the parent."

Update, July 22: New York Times Public Editor Clark Hoyt answers reader questions about the photograph.

Comments

[Send a Fart in the Mail]

I ought to send this dude a giant vile of a$$ for being one!

[gene x hwang]

Great insight on the image - thanks for getting the deets!

[our finest protect your worthless azz]

you are the kind of guy who would rather sit there taking pictures of an accident or some one's house burning down rather than lend a hand or try to help people involved in the situation. the responce you gave when asked why you didnt say something to those kids or their parents shows your selfishness. if this world is to become a better place, it is certainly not going to be helped along by someone like you, dodging any responsibility toward others, as long as it benefits your needs.

you are not alone, many people act the same way and have the same view as to step away from any sort of responsibility. you are a generation, better yet a sea of worthless souls that any decent human beings are surrounded by. you would rather laugh and take a video or pictures during a time of crisis and point your finger at others for irresponsibility. you are pathetic even in a minor situation, so do the rest of us a favor and dont have any children. they would deserve far better than you could ever give them...

[Heidi]

An image is an honest evaluation of life. Interesting how some people, even on this blog, think his honesty is to be punished. Instead, it was a shocking reminder of how dangerous this practice is - and how prevalent.

[Law Abiding Fuzz Buster]

our finest (2nd post) -- you can only be a true meathead in blue troll. same kind that loves to harass reporters who are watching your law-breaking @ss very closely -- captured on video, juicehead. Look over your shoulder for law abiding fuzz busters and just do your job.

[barry]

We used to play cards the same way, "Auto pilot on!"
This is the safe way to text, what is dangerous is being a lone and texting.

[Law Abiding Fuzz Buster]

And another thing, you self-righteous donut guzzler-- learn to spell so people can understand your meat fingered rantings.

Powerful photo, by the way, only thing I will remember a year from now from yesterday's paper. Undoubtedly upped the issue a level or two in dozens of law makers' offices around the world.

[Raymond Adams]

our finest (2nd post) - he can draw a lot more awareness about this situation by showing this idiocracy on the cover of the NY Times, than he could by telling them to stop. Sometimes you gotta tell the story.

[Joel Benge]

First, to "our finest", stop trolling.

Second, a fantastic shot and a story from Dan Gill. I met Dan a few years back when he shot some photos of me for a local Newark, Delaware story. He's a class-act and has a terrific eye. Glad to see he's still "getting the shot"!

[Diane]

He could have told them to stop, which they would have done while he was there, then they'd have continued. The photo tells a more powerful story. Not the same situation as a burning house, really.

[Ajlouny]

Teenagers take so many risks. My first instinct was the the photo was set up, but guess that was clarified and my shock set in. I know that it happens, but seeing it in the photo makes it so real.

[George]

The photo documents reality. We take unnecessary risks. Our loved ones do. Our children do. The photo forces us to think about the risks we take, and in doing so will save lives.