Students Pledge Not To Text And Drive

Students, with the aid of driving simulator, were able to experience what it was like to text and drive.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Students and school administration gathered Thursday morning to see a texting and driving simulator and to witness Oskaloosa Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt sign a proclamation that would encourage others to make a commitment to not text and drive on September 19th.

Krutzfeldt commented on a few startling facts that have been brought to light, such as, texting and driving has you at a substantial risk for accidents and that 43% of students admit to texting and driving, even though 97% of them understand that it is dangerous to do so.

Oskaloosa Police Officer and School Resource Officer Craig Alexander echoed Krutzfelt’s words saying that, if you text and drive, you have a 23% greater chance of being involved in an accident. “We’ve all been behind people that are on phones and we can see how they are in and out [of lanes of traffic], slowing down, staying at stop signs.”

Alexander explained that during the spring, students experience the similar effect of texting and driving during a real life simulation when they utilize what is called “fatal vision goggles” that show impairment. “They can see how they don’t go straight and how they kind of swerve. A lot of kids say they don’t text and drive, so that’s a good thing.”

“Bad things can happen if you divide your attention,” said Alexander.

The effect of texting and driving is nearly identical to that of driving intoxicated. “There’s no appreciable difference,” Alexander explained. “It’s just as dangerous.”

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS: Oskaloosa holds the health and safety of its young adults as a chief concern; and

WHEREAS: Text messaging is the main mode of communication for most American teenagers with half of all teens sending between 21 and 70 texts a day; and

WHEREAS: 90% of American teenagers expect a reply to a text message within five minutes; and

WHEREAS: Texting takes one’s eyes off the road for an average of five seconds; and

WHEREAS: In an AT&T survey, 43% of American teenage drivers admitted to texting while driving even though 97% know it is dangerous; and

WHEREAS: A Virginia Tech study showed those who send text messages while driving are 23 times more likely to crash; and

WHEREAS: A driver that sends a text message while driving not only jeopardizes his or her safety, but also the safety of passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers.

WHEREAS: AT&T’s It Can Wait® public awareness campaign to end texting and driving has been endorsed and supported by Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile US, Inc. and more than 200 other organizations;

WHEREAS: The “Texting & Driving-It Can Wait” program can literally save lives throughout our City, State and Country.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor David Krutzfeldt do hereby proclaim September 19, 2013 as:

“NO TEXT ON BOARD – PLEDGE DAY” in Oskaloosa.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand to be affixed this _____ day of September, 2013.
____________________________
David Krutzfeldt
Mayor of Oskaloosa