MacArthur High School Focuses on Keeping Students Safe During Prom, Graduation Season
A student at the driving simulator. He and others attempted to text and drive but crashed almost immediately. They learned about the dangers of texting while driving.
Spring is a season full of memories for high school seniors. Right now prom and graduation are on practically every senior’s mind. It is also a great time for folks to remind students about making good choices to stay safe.
MacArthur High School worked with Memorial Hermann’s Texas Trauma Institute. They organized a health fair for students. The hospital also partnered with organizations such as Texas State Troopers, State Farm, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Several campus student organizations also took part. The event served as a venue to launch the Trauma Institute’s Live Your DREAMS program. The acronym stands for Distraction Reduction Among Motivated Students.
Student who attended the fair held April learned about the life and death consequences of all forms of impaired and distracted driving.
Did You Know …
[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Automobile accidents are the #1 cause of death among teens in the U.S. and yet most are preventable.[/li] [li]Harris County has the highest percentage roadway fatalities in Texas. [/li][/ul]Principal Dr. Kristin Craft believes this is the perfect time of the year to help students make smart choices. The fair provided a positive environment to learn. Research shows that positive strategies that remind students about positive behaviors are effective.
The fair took place in the library April 17. Students visited several tables and set-ups. The most popular feature was a driving simulator in which students tried to text a message while driving. Most could not believe how quickly they crashed. Sending or receiving text messages takes the driver’s eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. This makes a driver 23 times more likely to get into a crash (distraction.gov). It is not just cell phones that distract. All in-vehicle distractions are unsafe and can cause crashes or fatalities. Students learned to stay focused when they are behind the wheel.
At one booth, students learned the effects of alcohol on the body. Students also got to view a video about a car crash to educate peers about the realities of driving distracted and its aftermath. Their peers presenting the video also used the magic trick of a coffin to drive the message across.
Distracted Driving
[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Includes distraction, driver inattention or cell-phone use[/li] [li]In 2014, there were 100,825 traffic crashes in Texas that involved distracted driving.[/li][/ul] [ul class=”list list-search”] [li]In 2014, these crashed resulted in 3,214 serious injuries and 468 deaths.[/li] [li]1 in 5 crashes in Texas involves driver distraction[/li][/ul]
A Texas State Trooper watches a student as he attempts to walk a straight line while wearing visual impairment goggles.
Students also wore “Fatal Vision” goggles. These simulate the visual impairment effects of being under the influence. Students struggled to keep a straight line, and they had a difficult time tossing a sack into a hole and buckets.
A couple of students from UT Health School of Nursing worked to survey students and to get their contact information. The nurses’ project (@BuckleUp4Life) utilizes social media to remind students to make smart decisions and to stay safe.
The interactive event gave students a chance to see what it is like to have their judgment impaired. They learned that the mind could not compensate for the altered perception. People under the influence can make impulsive decisions while impaired. And that can have a long-lasting negative impact on their lives. Before leaving, students signed commitment cards to stay safe.
The message of safety did not end with the fair. Organizers will present a series of six lessons to high school seniors throughout the rest of April. Topics of discussion will include the effects of alcohol and various things that can distract drivers. Some of these distractions include music, food and friends. Craft asks parents to take part by setting examples and rules for teen drivers.
“We want to make sure students know the dangers that are out there when they make bad decisions,” Craft said. “We really want the conversations to start now. We want them talking about it.
“We want them to live their dreams today, tomorrow and for many years to come.”
Remember to buckle up. Don’t drive distracted. And drive safely.
About the Author: Leticia Fehling
