University Healthcare Berkeley Medical Center is joining Berkeley County Schools in sponsoring a seminar for students at Martinsburg High School on Friday, March 13 to educate them about the dangers of distracted driving.
The “Save a Life Tour“ presents eight hours of multimedia information about distracted driving, including simulators to show students how focus is lost and reaction time changes when distracted by calling or texting while driving. Students will also hear first-hand accounts of people involved in distracted driving accidents.
“Distracted driving has become a top public health concern because of the growing number of vehicle accidents that result from unfocused drivers,” said Donnie Grubb, trauma coordinator at Berkeley Medical Center. Research also tells us that teenagers become distracted more quickly and more easily than adults and so this is a group that really needs to hear this message and be encouraged to change their behaviors, he added.
“Berkeley County Schools welcomes the opportunity to partner with Berkeley Medical Center to share the message of distracted driving dangers and consequences,” stated Elaine Bobo, communications director for Berkeley County Schools. “The multimedia format and simulator will provide valuable educational opportunities for the students,” she added.
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2010, more than 2,500 teens died in car crashes—seven deaths every day—and teen drivers are three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be in fatal crashes. This age group also has the largest proportion of drivers who were reported to have been distracted; 11 percent of all drivers under the age of 20 who were involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash.
Texting is the most alarming because it involves all three types of distractions:
- Visual – taking your eyes off the road
- Manual – taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive – taking your mind off what you’re doing
Surveys have shown that 25 percent of teens respond to a text message once or more every time they drive. Additionally, 20 percent of teens admit that they have extended multi-message text conversations while driving.
“With prom season just around the corner, we want to promote safe driving. At Berkeley Medical Center, we are trying to be proactive. We would rather educate local teens about the dangers of texting and driving instead of seeing them in our emergency department following a fatal auto crash,” Grubb said.
