Distracted driving is the number one killer of teenagers, according to Anthony Lawrence of ‘Save a Life Tour,? and every 30 seconds someone is injured and/or killed because of it.
To bring that message home, Oxford High School students Elizabeth Yeomans, Jacquelyn Borg and Jessica Fallis invited the Save a Life Tour to present a school assembly as a part of their DECA public relations project.
‘We thought it was a good (topic), especially because it impacts so many kids our age,? Fallis said.
The girls came up with the idea for the project last year and got started on it right away at the beginning of this year.
‘Doing the research and writing the paper and all the fund-raisers we’ve been doing and everything, it’s kind of eye opening,? added Fallis.
The assembly included a graphic video featuring real people who have been affected from either drunk driving or text messaging while driving.
‘I think (the video was) pretty intense,? Yeomans said. ‘It affected a lot more (students) than I thought it would.?
Also apart of the assembly were two simulators where students could experience the effects of driving under the influence of alcohol or how easy it is to lose control of a vehicle and crash while trying to text.
Justin Boss, a representative with Save a Life Tour, explained to students what research has shown about texting and driving.
‘What we’ve learned is the same processes you need to drive a car, which is your vision, your motor coordinated skills and your attention, are also the same processes you need to operate a cell phone,? Boss said. ‘You need to look down at the phone with your eyes, use your hands to push the buttons and you need to cognitively think about what’s coming in and how you’re going to respond to that. Those same processes simultaneously disengage you from your car completely.?
Senior Julius Haliburton said he learned a lot about both drunk driving and texting and driving.
‘It’s not safe,? he said.
Haliburton said the simulators were ‘pretty real.?
‘The steering wheel and braking and all of that stuff, it was (like) real life. It’s dangerous to do all the distracted driving things,? he said. ‘I didn’t do those things before (when I drove) and I’m not (going to) now, definitely.?
Fellow student Thomas Claire agreed that the assembly was worthwhile.
‘We’ve gone over it before, but this assembly really brought it forward, the lives that (these behaviors) can affect,? he said. ‘It really makes you think how one decision you make can affect everybody’s life ? your parents, friends (and) teachers even. It’s crazy.?
If showing the importance of not being a distracted driver and making smarter decisions saves even one life, it’s worth it, according to Lawrence.
‘Be responsible and think about these things before you get behind the wheel. Nothing on your phone is worth your life,? he said. ‘Getting to where you’re going safely should be your primary goal when driving.?