AT&T Simulator Shows Teens The Dangers Of Texting Behind The Wheel

FORT MEADE, Md. (WJZ) — Car crashes are the leading cause of death among teens, and cell phones could be making things worse.

Mike Schuh explains what the cell phone industry is doing to help take back control of the wheel.

Texting is so distracting while driving, it's against the law in Maryland. Meade High School invited AT&T to come influence its students before they learn lethal habits.

"It takes literally just a few seconds. We challenge anybody: is your whole life worth a five second text message? And it's not," said C.J. with AT&T "Take the Pledge."

Besides showing the dangers of texting through a simulator, the teens are among the five million nationwide who've taken a pledge--it can wait. Whatever it is, it can wait until later when you're not behind the wheel.

Students took turns on the simulator. Junior Colette Pierce, who has a learner's permit, quickly crashed while texting.

"It's taking away your concentration from what you're doing, and you have your life at hand and your vehicle is really dangerous. It's a weapon," Pierce said.

And if that were to happen in real life, these kids learned that their action might become the worst part of Lt. T.J. Smith's job.

"We see dead infants. We see dead toddlers. We see dead teenagers. Notifying the parents is probably the worst part of that process," Lt. Smith said.

When asked, over half of the students said they've seen their parents text and drive. Now armed with their new found knowledge, they are empowered to tell their parents to knock it off.

In all, 90 students at Meade took turns on that simulator.

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