By Hayleigh Gowans
Staff Writer
High school students in the East Syracuse Minoa School District recently got a unique opportunity — being one of 300 schools across the nations to be a stop for the AT&T It Can Wait campaign 3D virtual reality distracted driving simulator and presentation.
On Sept. 21, students and parents got an opportunity to experience the distracted driving simulator, while students also were shown a short documentary, “The Last Text,” that recounted stories from families, students and law enforcement who have been impacted by a distracted driving incident.
According to research at AT&T, seven in 10 people engage in dangerous smartphone activities while driving. And with the advances in technologies over the past few decades, the issue of distracted driving has led to many dangerous driving situations.
“I think it’s beneficial especially because of just how connected to our phones a lot of people are. It’s a non-stop thing,” said Kevin Hanna, regional director of external affairs at AT&T. “We can give the students as many statistics that we have about distracted driving, but the most important part is that they don’t become a statistic.”
“Everyone has a cell phone now. And it’s not just phones that are distracting — eating food, passengers, reading, changing the radio station,” said New York State Trooper Paul Carner. “Just think about what can happen when you take your eyes off the road.”
One heartwrenching aspect to the presentation came from Steve Augello, a man from Florida who shared the tragic story of his daughter Alessandra, who was involved in a head-on collision in 2008 that was caused by a driver that had sent a text message to her boyfriend seconds before the crash.
“Her accident was totally avoidable,” said Augello. “Please do not put your parents in the same position I’m in … If you drive distracted, you will get hurt or hurt someone else. It’s just not worth it.”
Students were invited to use the 3D virtual reality simulator, where a user wears virtual reality goggles that transmit an example of what one might view while driving distracted, and the user must drive as carefully as they can on a replica of a car. Students were also encouraged to sign the “It Can Wait” pledge, which is a commitment students take to keeping their eyes on the road and being an advocate against distracted driving.
“It was very realistic,” said junior Danny Boland about the simulator. “I definitely will not be driving and using my cell phone … His [Augello’s] story impacted me a lot and I will make sure to speak out against distracted driving.” Boland said he made sure to sign the pledge and would encourage his peers to do the same.
“We have the strongest desire that you will live long and happy lives,” said Superintendent Donna DeSiato. “Let us not go forward and have anyone in this high school perish because we didn’t hear this message.”
The opportunity for ESM to host this touring educational assembly was made possible through a partnership between AT&A, AAA of Western and Central New York, the New York State Police and State Senator John DeFrancisco.
To learn more about the It Can Wait campaign, go to itcanwait.com.
