Eastside Catholic students learn don’t txt n drive
February 2, 2011
By Christopher Huber
NEW: Feb. 2, 9:55 a.m.
The crowd of 580 high-schoolers sat silent as the somber video played. Some people’s attention wandered, trying not to take the program too seriously. But most eyes fixed on the screen as parents, siblings, friends and law enforcement officers recounted tragic car accidents and deaths caused when teens texted while driving.
“Where u at.” “lol.” “Yeah.” Those were the messages that distracted three different teens long enough to cause collisions that killed them or someone else, according to the video.
Eastside Catholic’s Kristin Standish, center, and Malia Bachesta, attempt to steer a trike while texting on their phone during a race at the school’s TXT L8R assembly Jan. 26.
It was part of Eastside Catholic’s texting-while-driving assembly Jan. 26 in the school’s gym. The DECA program’s TXT L8R committee brought local leaders and law enforcement together to educate the young drivers about the affects of texting while driving.
“When I heard the idea, I thought it was a really creative way of being able to get the ideas and the message out there,” said junior Genevieve Greschler, a DECA student and TXT L8R committee member. “I think it’s such an issue because your phone is right there. It’s just such a potential hazard and anybody can do it. It’s extremely preventable.”
In addition to a couple of videos, which included a message from Gov. Christine Gregoire, the students heard from City Councilman John Curley and longtime Washington State Patrol Trooper Brandy Kessler.
Kessler told the story of Tumwater 19-year-old Heather Lerch, who died after crashing her car Feb. 23, 2010.
“Having the trooper come … was eye-opening,” said student Kristin Standish.
Curley spoke about the affects of dopamine, the chemical the brain releases when a person thinks about reward, which also happens when you want to answer the phone.
“It’s really not that essential you look at it right away,” said Curley, who emceed the event and tossed out Butterfinger bars to illustrate the dopamine affect. “When it rings, try to ignore it.”
He noted a study that found 68 percent of Americans admit they’re addicted to their cell phones. And texting while driving reduces a person’s reaction time by 35 percent.
Greschler and fellow committee members, Kevin Curtis and Madi Lobet, presented their classmates with statistics: 81 percent of people text while driving and the No. 1 source of drivers’ inattention is their mobile devices.
Grace Howland, an Eastside Catholic freshman, examines the damage to a car involved in a texting-and-driving accident.
“For the whole student body, it’s good to hear,” said senior Stephanie Matusiefsky.
If it sounded a lot like the drunk-driving spiel the teens get before prom season, it’s because the effects of texting are similar to drinking, according to presenters.
Jason Epstein, a Bellevue-based personal injury lawyer who founded Teens Against Distracted Driving, highlighted the average text takes your eyes off the road for about four seconds. That’s long enough to miss a curve, to veer off the road, to hit something or someone, he said.
He thought, “what’s a better way than if I make a difference going to the teens,” Epstein said. “If we can stop someone from making a four-second mistake…”
He then challenged the students (even freshmen and sophomores) to sign a pledge to not text and drive.
“It was very powerful,” said Ella Gunderson, a senior, who decided to sign the pledge. “It’s cool to see how many people are passionate about it.”
While the event focused on the serious consequences of a well-ingrained habit among teenagers, a handful of them competed in a relay race to see who could drive a tricycle best while texting an assigned phrase. Each grade level cheered for its team as they competed against the staff. In the end, the seniors crossed the finish line first.
“The trike race seemed to get their attention,” said Kevin Curtis, a senior and TXT L8R committee member. “We got a much bigger reaction from the pledge drive (than expected).”
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.SammamishReview.com.
Comments
One Response to “Eastside Catholic students learn don’t txt n drive”
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by beyond90seconds and Heather Lerch, Jason Epstein. Jason Epstein said: Jason speaks Out about Texting While Driving: http://tinyurl.com/4ggjz4r [...]