Ellsworth High School students use texting simulator

• Simulator

The AAA driving simulator was set up in the Ellsworth High School library for student use. -- Photos submitted

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Arrive Alive is a group at Ellsworth High School focusing on the consequences of distracted driving.

Distracted driving is defined as anything taking attention off the road. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and texting/talking while driving are the biggest distractions drivers face. The Arrive Alive group members want to make teens more aware of the consequences and affects distracted driving has on the public.

The week of Dec. 10-14, students had the opportunity to sign up for the texting simulator. The texting simulator allows students to attempt to text and drive, and to get an idea about how unsafe texting and driving really is. Results are shown at the end of the simulation to show students all of the errors made during their driving experience.

Students are asked to drive through a three-minute course under optional weather conditions such as clear days, snow, rain or fog and during the day, at dusk or at night. Students also have to watch out for other distractions such as voices in the car, sirens and pedestrians.

All sophomores and juniors attended a presentation during homeroom where they watched “Amanda’s Story.” The story was about a teen who had a near-death accident because of texting and driving, and swore she’d change her ways, but then a year to the day later she was killed in a car accident because of texting and driving.

The Arrive Alive members hope to be a constant reminder to students of how unsafe and dangerous texting and driving is. They hope students will take away something from the simulation and possibly save a life because they chose not to text and drive.

Special appreciation goes to AAA and The Service Agency for bringing the texting simulator in for students to use.

Tags: communities, ellsworth, education