Students shown first-hand dangers of texting while driving

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CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – For three days this week, the AAA of Pioneer Valley’s “Arrive Alive” campaign is stopping at western Massachusetts high schools to give teens a first-hand feel for the dangers of texting and driving.

Chicopee Comprehensive High School was the campaign’s first stop. Students there put on virtual glasses and used a driving simulator, which went up to 40 miles per hour as students tried to write a text message.

Some of the consequences included hitting a person crossing the street and crashing into other cars on the road.

22News asked teens how tempting texting and driving is and how their simulator experience would help deter them from doing it.

“We are risking our life texting and driving, and it’s just really pointless to do it because why would you risk your life to do that?” sophomore Brianna Correa said.

Students were also shown a movie of a violent texting-and-driving car crash reenacted.

The campaign will also stop at Chicopee High School Tuesday, and at West Springfield High School on Wednesday.