Countless Oxford High School students were involved in multiple auto crashes last week because they got distracted while behind the wheel.
Fortunately, no one was killed or even injured because all these accidents took place in computer simulations.
Representatives from the Auburn Hills-based Takata, Inc., a manufacturer of automotive safety equipment such as seat belts and air bags, visited OHS and brought with them the company’s Safe Driver Program.
The visit was sponsored by the ‘Shut Up & Drive? campaign being conducted by OHS seniors Felicia Carmany, Kaitlyn Landis and Lauren Dial.
Raising public awareness about the dangers of ‘distracted driving? is the mission of the young ladies? public relations project for the DECA Club, a student marketing and business organization.
Using an interactive simulator and a Nintendo Wii video game, Takata’s Safe Driver Program introduces students to situations where they must avoid distractions, recognize hazardous situations and make sound judgements while driving.
A computer quiz game called ‘Are You Smarter than a Crash Test Dummy? tested students on their knowledge of safe driving habits ? an important topic considering auto crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in this country.
Teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Distracted driving ? which includes cell phone use, loud music and other teen passengers ? is one of the main contributing factors in teen-related crashes as is the inexperience and immaturity of young drivers.
While driving in Takata’s simulations, OHS students were asked to do things like make a cellular call or send a text message, deal with out-of-control passengers, change the radio station, and take CDs and pop bottles out of the center console and hand them to passengers.
As they attempted to do these tasks, the student drivers had to stay in their lane, pay attention to their speed and most importantly, not crash.
‘It’s a learning opportunity to talk to them about some of the distractions and how it affects their driving,? said Amy Klinkenberger, a Takata product engineer. ‘It’s a very useful tool.?
Takata hopes to realize its vision of ‘a day when there will be no victims due to traffic accidents.?
But the company also realizes seat belts and air bags alone can’t accomplish that lofty goal. The person behind the wheel ‘needs to be a safe driver and make good decisions,? Klinkenberger said.
‘There’s only so much we can do in the vehicle.?