But, put the kids in a life-like situation, trying to drive while texting, and the message hits home.
Students tried it out Tuesday using a simulator at a /*Connecticut*/ high school.
It's a big day for Brooke Maclean; Tuesday morning she passed her road test.
Tuesday afternoon, she crashed twice.
Thankfully the accidents were only while driving a simulator, meant to highlight the dangers of distracted driving, especially texting while driving.
"It really opened my eyes," Maclean said.
This week students at /*Ludlowe High School*/ in /*Fairfield*/ are getting a course in what's been dubbed "Distractology 101".
The $1.4 million simulator runs through six scenarios under different driving conditions.
It was created by a University of Massachusetts professor for the Arbella Insurance Group.
"If we can get it in their heads then they won't become a statistic," said Joanne Berlinski, of the Arbella Insurance Group.
The statistics are alarming: in 2009 20% of all crashes were related to distracted driving, resulting in 5,500 fatalities and a half million people injured.
The exercise seems simple: Students have to read and reply to a text that's been sent to them.
Pulling it off isn't as easy.
Hopefully, it's a nip a growing epidemic in the bud.
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