FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 10, 2025   
CONTACT: Myron Levin 818.321.0405  contact@powertripfilm.com
 

Documentary Film “Power Trip” Examines Rise in U.S. Road Crash Deaths, Media Culture Around High-Risk Driving

Film executive produced by best-selling author Michael Connelly, written and directed by veteran journalist Myron Levin.

(Pasadena, Calif.) – Hieronymus Pictures, the production company of best-selling author Michael Connelly, today 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 said. “Speed is a factor in nearly 30 percent 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.

The film, which can be viewed at www.powertripfilm.com, is narrated by acclaimed actor and voice artist Peter Coyote. 

“The loss of so many thousands of lives should send a message to automakers about the importance of modeling safe and responsible use of their cars and trucks,” Levin said. “’Power Trip’ is dedicated to the memory of crash victims everywhere, to their grieving families, and to those working to end the slaughter on our roads.”

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ABOUT POWER TRIP 

“Power Trip,” executive produced by novelist Michael Connelly and narrated by actor and voice artist Peter Coyote, examines the media culture around high-risk driving, including movies, video games and car commercials that glamorize speed and aggression behind the wheel. Bucking the trend of declining fatalities in other wealthy countries, U.S. crash deaths have spiked to more than 40,000 per year, along with tens of thousands of catastrophic injuries. Speed is a factor in nearly 30% of these crashes. Yet, as “Power Trip” shows through images and interviews with safety experts, advocates and grieving survivors, popular media—including many car commercials—continue to celebrate the kind of high-risk driving that kills people and tears families apart. “Power Trip” sends a strong message about the preventable slaughter on our roads and automakers’ responsibility to model the safe use of their cars and trucks. “Power Trip” can be viewed at www.powertripfilm.com.