It is no secret that distractions like texting are becoming a problem on roads across the nation. Quite often those most likely to be distracted behind the wheel are young drivers. That is why the Connecticut Department of Transportation launched a new program targeting teenagers, designed to educate young people about how distracted driving can lead to car accidents.

The program officially launched at Bristol Eastern High School on Dec. 9, where awareness speakers addressed a packed auditorium full of students. Those in attendance also viewed a sponsored video detailing the aftermath of accidents caused by distracted driving. The video particularly seemed to have a profound effect on viewers who remained silent throughout the film and greeted its end with applause.

The statistics quoted in the presentation are staggering — in 2011, it is estimated that over 3,000 Americans died as a direct result of distracted driving. Furthermore, approximately 25 percent of all young drivers have admitted to responding to texts while behind the wheel. It is hoped that through the targeted use of presentations like the one at Bristol Eastern, these statistics will be reduced and the prevalence of distracted driving deaths will go down in the coming years.

Car accidents are sometimes unavoidable. However, it can be argued that accidents caused by a driver not paying attention to the road certainly are preventable. In Connecticut, it is the responsibility of every driver to maintain awareness on the road and not to allow themselves to be distracted from their primary job — keeping themselves and others safe.

Source: newbritainherald.com, DOT’s distracted driver program kicked off Monday, Justin Muszynski, Dec. 9, 2013