Columbia (WACH)--Students at Spring Valley High School got to go behind the wheel and test out their texting and driving skills, and learned an important lesson in the process.
AT&T brought its texting and driving simulator as part of the company's national tour to promote safe driving for teenagers. Students got to buckle their seat belt and test out just how easy it is to get in an accident if their eyes are on their phones instead of the road.
The simulator had sensors on the car tires; and teens had to wear goggles simulating road conditions as well as hazards like other cars and pedestrians crossing the street. They also had to sign a pledge to avoid texting while behind the wheel. Company Spokesman Josh Gelinas said most of the did not do too well; and have a new sense of being responsible drivers.
"I hear from a lot of students who say 'Yea I send texts, but I only do it when it is safe.' I think what getting behind the wheel of the simulator shows is that there really is never a safe time to send a text when you are driving. You can't anticipate what is going to pop out in front of you. There is not a text message that can't wait until you are done driving."
AT&T also has a free Drive Mode app for androids and IPhones which will send alerts to people calling or texting drivers. Those alerts let people know that person is driving.
The simulator will head to Wilmington, North Carolina next. For more information, visit here.
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