Concentrating on the distractions

After getting their license, most teenagers are very careful drivers — for the first six months.

That is according to Leo, the driving simulator instructor, who paid a weeklong visit to Watertown High School recently to show students and faculty the dangers of driving while being distracted. These distractions include: texting, eating, drinking, and putting on make-up.

“You could tell the man who ran the program was really into his job,’’ said junior Rebecca Hellman. “Repeatedly he said, ‘Just don’t do it, it’s stupid,’ which is the blunt and brutal honesty that I think many teenagers need to hear.”

Leo said teenagers are the most prone to be distracted and having their driving impaired because they are “immature, inexperienced, and not afraid of risks.’’

The simulator was in a 44-foot RV in the WHS parking lot, part of the Teen D.R.I.V.E Initiative, courtesy of Allstate Insurance and UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center. Two WHS students were able to go at the same time for half-hour blocks throughout the day. All of the distractions — such as the texting keyboard — were shown on the screen.

“I found it to be a lot different than driving a real car,” said senior Laura Nieske.

The simulator was not only able to show students what is like to drive impaired and then crash, but it also showed what the further consequences, such as injuries, fatalities, and criminal charges that also follow.

“Unfortunately, I know many teens drink and drive and text and drive,’’ said Hellman. “I really hope interactive activities like this change their minds and I would love to see more of this type of thing at WHS.”

–April 1, 2014–