High School Students Learn Consequences of Driving While Distracted

Rocky Point High School juniors and seniors had an eye-opening look at the impact that distracted driving can have on a family when guest speaker Karen Torres spoke with them about the tragic loss of her father. 

Noting that 80 percent of all crashes involve some type of distraction and how an average text message can take a person’s eyes off the road for five seconds, Ms. Torres spoke candidly with the students about what they can do to stop the epidemic that is causing the fatalities of more than 3,000 teenagers each year.

“Now, in your first years of driving, is the time when you are going to pick up your good and bad habits,” said Ms. Torres. “It is important to remember that there is a right time and a wrong time to use your phones. These little devices have made life so easy for us, but many have forgotten that what we are to do behind the wheel is drive – not tweet, Facebook, upload pictures or text.”

During the program, the students learned about the stiff legal consequences associated with texting and driving as well as participated in two brainteasers aimed at demonstrating first-hand how hard it is to complete two tasks at once. They also had the chance to watch the public service announcements that Ms. Torres’ family and her father’s colleagues created, as well as part of a documentary about four tragedies caused by texting and driving. At the end of the program, Ms. Torres reminded the students that the choice is theirs and that they should never let another person’s choice to engage in such behavior interfere with their lives.

To symbolize their commitment to spread the word about the dangers of texting and driving and to refrain from such actions, many of the students signed a commitment pledge. The banner will be placed on display in the main lobby to serve as a daily reminder for the entire student body. 

Information and photos courtesy of Jennifer Kuefner, Syntax.