May 9, 2016 at 4:48 p.m.
It can wait: Simulator teaches Three Lakes students to keep their eyes on the road
It can wait: Simulator teaches Three Lakes students to keep their eyes on the road
ubiquitious part of American life. People of all ages are known to take their devices virtually everywhere and keep them within arm's reach at all waking hours, including while driving.
This is a trend that law enforcement and transportation officials are focused on ending. In an effort to get young people to put down their phones while on the road, the Wisconsin State Patrol and Department of Transportation have teamed up with AT&T, and AAA to bring "It Can Wait" presentations to area schools.
Last week, officials visited Three Lakes School to give the students there an up-close look at just how dangerous it can be to drive while distracted.
Students watched a short video produced by AT&T entitled "The Last Text," which told three heart-wrenching stories of real people and families affected by accidents caused by texting and driving.
Then State Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) told the students his experience with the distracted driving simulator at Three Lakes High School three years ago. He crashed multiple times, he said. He also spoke to the dangers of using smartphones while driving.
"This applies to everybody," Tiffany said, referring to smartphone use. "It's not a right, it's a privilege, and having that privilege also comes with responsibility."
Lawmakers have tried to keep motorists safe by passing laws banning the use of devices while driving. Five years ago texting while driving was banned in Wisconsin and a new law now outlaws using phones in construction zones.
Wisconsin State Trooper Bryan Wrychas also addressed the students. He started by taking a poll, asking the students who had their drivers license to raise their hands. He then asked them to keep their hands raised if they had ever texted or used their smartphone while driving.
"Wow, that's a lot," Wrychas said. "Today, let's change that attitude."
Officer Wrychas explained that the fine for texting while driving is $162.70 and four points off a drivers license, but that's nothing compared to the pain felt by their own families, and the families of any possible victims of an accidents caused by texting while driving.
Officer Wrychas had some tips for avoiding using the phone while driving. First, drivers can turn off or silence their phone. Secondly, drivers can let calls go to voicemail. Third, they can ask a passenger to make the call or send a text for them. He also advised there are certain free apps available to deactivate the phone when it recognizes that the vehicle is moving above a certain speed. Finally, he suggested that if texting was necessary, to pull off to the side of the road and turn on hazard lights before using the phone.
"Please give driving your undivided attention," Wrychas said.
"Many drivers are engaging in unsafe smartphone activities behind the wheel when their focus should be on driving," Three Lakes Principal Gene Welhoefer said in a press release. "We want to make sure our students understand how dangerous and even deadly this behavior can be. We hope our teens take the It Can Wait message to heart and put down their phones when they are behind the wheel of a vehicle."
New research from AT&T shows seven in 10 people engage in smartphone activities while driving. Texting and emailing are still the most prevalent, but four in 10 drivers also tap into social media. Over 25 percent are on Facebook, one in seven are on Twitter, almost three in 10 surf the Internet, and surprisingly, one in 10 video chat.
Students were encouraged to go to www.itcanwait.com and take the pledge not to text and drive.
Three seniors, Maddie Sowinski, Brooke Stephonik and Chase Kirby, were selected to try the AAA distracted driving simulator, led by Theresa Nelson from the Wisconsin DOT.
While all three students had a good time, and the auditorium was filled with laughter, all three students, and Principal Welhoefer, crashed in the simulation.
After the simulation, Welhoefer again addressed the crowd.
"We had a mock crash last year," Welhoefer said. "It doesn't look like this. You don't laugh. You don't get to walk away."
Daleth Mountjoy may be reached at [email protected].
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