Pledging to Be Better Drivers

Texting and driving is a dangerous combination, and two Spring-Ford High School students who are part of the school's SADD program are trying to raise awareness by encouraging fellow students to sign pledges not to text and drive.

On Friday, March 25, students in grades 9-12 will be shown a video, AT&T's "The Last Text," in their homeroom classes at 1:20 p.m. Once the video is finished, students will be asked to pledge not to text and drive, and these signed papers will be featured in the school's cafeteria.

Students Morgan Lee and Allison Kratz, both involved in SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), initiated the March 25th event after learning about a fatal accident caused by texting behind the wheel. Upon viewing a documentary on television about a young girl who had lost her life due to texting and driving, Morgan Lee became inspired to share what she had learned.

"I believe that no text message is worth losing your life," she said.

Allison Kratz, who had also heard about the young woman's accident due to texting and driving, was very upset.

"It really hit me thinking any one of my friends, family members, or classmates could be in the same accident for the same reason. I knew I had to share the importance of not texting and driving and constantly be making the choice to be a focused driver," she said.

According to a Liberty Mutual/SADD Teen Driving survey that took place in 2009, the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that in 2008, 6,000 people died and half a million people were injured due to car crashes involving a distracted driver. Teens are more susceptible to crashes. Twenty-six percent of teens admit they've used cell phones to take pictures or record videos while driving, 18 percent use their cell phone to use the internet while driving, and 15 percent have updated their Facebook and/or MySpace account while driving.

Virginia Tech conducted a study in 2009 which concluded that texting while driving takes focus away from the road for 4.6 seconds, which is enough time to travel the length of a football field at 55 mph. This issue can affect everyone.

"This message should be spread not only in our local communities, but world-wide. I pledge to never text and drive," said Morgan.

Patch thanks the Spring-Ford Area School District for this press release.