South Arkansas Students Get Lesson on Dangers of Texting and Driving

<p>It's no secret that texting and driving is dangerous and to make sure the message resonates with students, AT&T was at El Dorado High School with a unique demonstration. </p>

Abby Calloway is one of nearly a hundred El Dorado High School students taking part in AT&T's new texting while driving simulator. The simulator recreates real life driving scenarios of the dangers of texting while driving and for Calloway, it was an eye opener.

"It was pretty realistic. There were a lot of unpredictable places where cars ran out in front of you or swerved into your lane or did something unexpected that you know that happens everyday." 

From simulators to the classroom, the message to students about the dangers of texting while driving continued with a video of teenagers who were killed in car accidents from texting.

"The video that they showed us in class was really affective for a lot of people. It just shows you what one small text can affect an entire lifetime." 

"I watched the video and it was really sad like people losing their lives like a bicyclist getting hit because somebody sending a stupid text message saying lol."  

According to the National Safety Council, there are 100,000 texting related accidents a year that cause life changing injuries and deaths and texting ranks as the number one mode of communication among teens.

"We found that most teens, 89 percent feel the need to respond to a text within five minutes so I think it's just that feeling that they need to stay in constant communication and unfortunately people are doing that behind the wheel." 

Once the day was over, approximately 600 students had taken AT&T's pledge not to text and drive.

In Arkansas, it is illegal to text and drive and violators could face a fine of up to 100 dollars.

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