Campaign warns of texting and driving danger
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SOUTH JACKSON, Tenn. — Some West Tennessee high school students make a promise to stop texting while driving. It’s something 30% of teens admit doing and something experts say is more dangerous than drinking and driving. Signatures pour in as students chose to put the phone away when they’re behind the wheel. “We wanted to get the word out to our students and the community,” student adviser Wilma Williams said. “Let them know that it’s danger to text and drive.” The “It Can Wait” campaign is being held throughout the Jackson-Madison County School System. Students even wore all black, to “black out” texting behind the wheel. South Side senior Alexus Uqdha helped facilitate the program and says it’s all about saving lives. “A lot of people lose their lives just from a text message,” Uqdha said. “Just over two words or three words.” When students come up to take the pledge, they also have the option of trying out a simulator which shows them how hard it is to handle texting and driving at the same time. “Text messages will pop-up on the side. You have to read them while still managing to drive,” Alexus Uqdha said. “It will also ask you questions. It takes your concentration off of what you’re supposed to be focusing on while driving.” South side’s chapter of Community Leaders of America brought this program to Jackson with the help of a high profile sponsor, A T & T. “It’s really wonderful to know you have someone that has everything you need to let everyone know this important message,” Williams said. Students involved in the leadership program say they hope to bring awareness to other community issues as the year goes on. South Side high school has around 600 students and the group hopes to get 500 of them to take the pledge.
