October 21, 2012

This time of year, high school students are busier than ever. From home to school, to ball or cheer practice, to work, and then back home -- high school students are taking care of business on the go. In doing so, the practice of texting while driving has increased as daily lives have become more chaotic...

By NOREEN HYSLOP and BROOKE DUCKWORTH Statesman
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This time of year, high school students are busier than ever. From home to school, to ball or cheer practice, to work, and then back home -- high school students are taking care of business on the go. In doing so, the practice of texting while driving has increased as daily lives have become more chaotic.

The temptation to respond quickly to a text is nearly impossible to resist, say some students at Dexter High School. A recent survey at the school revealed that, on average, about 81 percent of seniors text and drive on a regular basis. That figure is significantly higher than what other surveys nationwide have revealed.

"It's amazing how often I have to hold the wheel from the passenger seat for my friends while they text and drive," admitted a Dexter High School senior this week.

According to the Center for Disease Control, a recent survey conducted nationally found that 58 percent of high school seniors said they had texted or emailed while driving during the previous month. The study was called the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey and also revealed that about 43 percent of high school juniors also admitted to commonly texting while driving.

According to John Sontag, president of AT&T Missouri, 90 percent of teens expect a response to texts and emails within five minutes. Sontag says that sending a text takes an average of five seconds.

"While traveling 55 miles per hour, that's equivalent to driving the length of a football field with a blindfold on," says Sontag in a recent news release in which AT&T management says they are committed to educating the public -- particularly teens --about the risks of texting behind the wheel. In that effort, AT&T has created a 10-minute video called "The Last Text." The video features real stories about lives that have been dramatically altered because of texting and driving. The powerful account of real lives lost to texting and driving can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=DebhWD6ljZs.

Troop E Highway Patrol Information Officer Clark Parrot has been visiting high school and middle school students throughout Troop E, often showing the 10 minute video to students.

"I believe it's having an impact," Parrot says. "I've seen an auditorum of both boys and girls in tears when the clip is over. It really hits home for some."

The Daily Statesman has made the video available to the public. It can be viewed by logging onto the paper's website at www.dailystatesman.com

Texting is not the only problem, says Sontag. "As the world becomes more advanced in on-the-go technology, we are overwhelmed with countless distractions on the road. Whether you are a teen or an adult, it is important to maintain concentration on what is most important - safety on the road."

Sontag says parents can help by setting a good example for their children and focusing only on driving while doing the best to resist distractions.

Authorities warn, "No more eating, applying makeup, or setting your GPS while driving, which are all average causes of car accidents."

Countless organizations have been created to help stop texting while driving, as well avoid other road distractions, such as "The Last Text" video. Additionally, many teens are giving up the dangerous decisions and signing the "It Can Wait" pledge to AT&T.

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