CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Students at George Washington High School got behind the wheel to learn an important lesson. AT&T teamed up with the West Virginia Division of Highways Friday to bring their driving simulators to the school. The message was all about texting while driving.
“They’re all learning how to drive and it’s all new and then texting. I think they’ve been around mobile devices all their lives. This is really resonating with them that it is dangerous and they shouldn’t be doing it,” explained Andy Feeney with AT&T West Virginia.
The simulators allow students to sit down in front of a steering wheel and a flat screen. Similar to a video game, they have to steer their “vehicle” through traffic while attempting to text. Often the results are less than successful: a fender bender, getting pulled over by police or hitting a pedestrian.
“It’s almost like it’s in real time. You can see it and actually experience it and see the dangers without getting hurt,” Feeney said.
According to a study by Cohen Children’s Medical Center, 50 percent of teens admit to having texted while driving. It is now the leading cause of teen deaths in the United States.
Feeney is confident the simulators will make an impact.
“If we can save one life today, if students don’t text and drive and they are out there and being safe and being responsible, we’ve accomplished our mission,” said Feeney.