Look Up OC! Mission Viejo Area Teen Starts Awareness Campaign

MISSION VIEJO, CA — Being a teenager learning to drive is stressful. And Ladera Ranch teenager, Santa Margarita Catholic High School student Maggie Jennison recently discovered.

"I am 15-years-old and learning how to drive," she said on her website named LookUpOC.org

Maggie started the website in order to encourage parents, teens and even young kids to take a pledge to look up and away from their mobile phones while inside the car.

"It frightens me to see how many people are texting while driving," she said. "On a recent drive from my home in Ladera Ranch to Newport Beach, I spotted fourteen people who were distracted by their phones while behind the wheel. This spoke loud and clear to me."

Maggie decided at that moment to do something to make a change.

"Right then and there I thought of starting a club at my school to raise awareness," she said. "Then I thought, 'Why stop at my school? The whole county needs more awareness!'"

Maggie's goal is for herself, her family, and friends to be safe on the roads. The answer to safety is simple.

"I just want people to look up while driving," she said.

This is how “Look Up OC” was born.

"The flagship Look Up OC Club is going strong at Santa Margarita Catholic High School thanks to an awesome team of students who have joined forces this cause," she said.

Maggie encourages high schools who want to start the club to reach out and take the pledge.

"We would love to see all Orange County high schools start this club too," she said.

If you want to take the pledge, visit: lookupoc.org

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