New Program Aimed At Curbing Distracted Driving Among Teens

Posted: Sep 30, 2014 7:32 AM EDT Updated: Oct 14, 2014 7:32 AM EDT

Teen drivers will get a first-hand look at a new unique program aimed at curbing distracted driving in North Carolina. Distracted driving accounts for a large number of deadly crashes in our state and across the country.

One of the most common forms of distracted driving among teens is texting while driving.

“On average, a teen will text 790 text messages per month. So a lot of that unfortunately takes place behind the wheel and that attributes to is ‘distracted driving,” said Lt. Jeff Gordon, N.C. Highway Patrol.

A new program called “Arrive Alive” uses a high-tech simulator, impact video, and a number of other resources to educate students about the dangers of texting while driving.

The simulator allows students to experience the potential consequences of distracted driving in a controlled environment.

“We’re still losing more than 3,000 lives every year and hundreds of thousands are injured because of crashes caused by distraction,” Anthony Foxx, U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

The “Arrive Alive” campaign will be at Duke University Tuesday to give teen drivers an up-close look at the reality of distracted driving.

For some young drivers, just having their phone or other gadgets in the car is too much temptation.

“I put it in the console so I can’t see it, I can’t hear it. I just put it away, so I know not to pick it up, and so that temptation is not there,” said Madison Bell, West Johnston senior.

The “Arrive Alive” program is also designed to raise awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and distracted driving as a whole.

Copyright 2014 WNCN. All rights reserved.