Driven To Distraction ; Manheim Central Moms Want Teens To Learn Dangers Of Careless Driving [Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster, PA)]
By Chip Smedley | |
Proquest LLC |
Staff Writer
Fortunately, no one was injured in the accident because it was only a simulation.
But the
"It was hard to pay attention to the road and text at the same time," she said. "I don't plan on texting when I get my license."
That message is the reason
The car is on a tour that will take it to 20 locations across the country, said
Students sit behind the wheel and don a visor that displays a simulated roadway they must negotiate using the car's pedals and steering wheel.
The simulator is a bit more difficult to keep on the road than a real car, said Reusch, because it tries to respond to the largest problem that plagues teen drivers - overcorrection.
Families of four Manheim Central teenagers killed in a
To that end, said foundation vice president
Reusch said the latest study of 2010 statistics showed that 3,100 people of all ages were killed as a result of distracted driving, and another 400,000 were injured. And car crashes in general are the No. 1 killers of teens.
That's why, she said, "
For Manheim Central students, the effort was paying dividends.
Ivie said that like most teens, she "texts a lot" but the experience behind the simulator wheel showed that driving and texting "is harder than I thought."
She said she rides with friends who text while they're driving and has noticed "they tend to slow down while they're texting, and sometimes they almost stop."
For junior
Martin has been driving on a learner's permit but plans on getting his license in two weeks.
"It was pretty difficult," he said of driving and texting. "They told me to start texting answers on the phone, but every time I looked up, some cars were pulling out in front of me."
But, Martin said, "I don't text and drive anyway, because I know if I do I could crash."
In addition to texting, Martin said, "You shouldn't be doing anything distracting.
"For the first two weeks I was driving on my permit, I didn't even touch the radio. You shouldn't be doing anything while you're driving."
While texting and driving is a danger, Reusch said, the No. 1 distracted-driving cause of accidents among all demographic groups is eating while driving.
High school principal
"Student drivers are obviously very inexperienced, and they tend to think they are invincible," he said. "This opportunity to text and drive in a safe environment will show them that when they are driving, 100 percent of their focus should be on getting to their destination."
Hartman said Mourning Light is also working with Wilson's
She added that scholarships are available from Mourning Light, which funds them with proceeds from fundraisers it sponsors throughout the year.
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