NEW BERLIN, WI - April is distracted driving awareness month and texting and driving is the focus of conversation at one local school in New Berlin.
“I just want it to be a quick reality check," Jocelyn Eng said."I think teenagers these days just have that feeling that they’re invincible and nothing bad can happen."
Although that may be the sentiment shared among sophomore student, Jocelyn Eng’s peers, Wednesday's assembly confirms it just isn’t true.
In fact, research shows that no one is invincible while out on the roads, and although 95 percent of drivers disapprove of distracted driving, 71 percent still engage in cell phone use behind the wheel.
“It is an issue and the reality is a lot of people are bound to distractedly drive," Melisa Erman said. "The presentation’s going to be a nice reminder that it’s important to keep your eyes on the road."
To prove her point, sophomore student Melisa Erman braved AAA's distracted driving simulator, and while driving she tried searching local movie times on her phone but crashed the simulation vehicle while trying to multitask.
“It’s so nerve-wracking honestly," Erman said. "It’s not fun to look at my phone while [driving]."
The students also watched a documentary that explores real stories and lives altered or ended by someone’s decision to text and drive.
“I hope we all just become more aware of it," Bryce Miller said. "And hopefully start a movement for people to stop texting and driving and hopefully cut down on some of the crashes that we cause."
The assembly is a part of a series of events AT&T, AAA, and the Wisconsin State Patrol are hosting throughout the school year.
