Video Aims To Stop Teens from Texting at Wheel

While texting while driving is the leading cause of teenage deaths in this country, the students at enthusiastically received the message packaged in an upbeat video that refrains from using emotional persuasion to “scare” teens straight.

The video “Not Behind the Wheel” premiered in the Black Box Theatre Thursday for students and parents from the Lehigh Valley Performing Arts Charter School in Bethlehem as well as representatives from the Verizon Foundation, Bar Association of Lehigh County and Chamber of Commerce.

After talking with several students featured in the video, it was obvious that they got the message “even though your hands aren’t on the phone [when using blue tooth or hands free] you’re still distracted,” said Alexus Mateo who at 15 understands that any kind of cell phone usage is a distraction while driving. 

Within this 10 minute video there were several “mind blowingly crazy little factoids about texting,” as it was phrased by Johnny Schaffer, 16.

 Some of the crazy factoids are :

• It takes 4.6 seconds to read, mentally respond and start typing a text; this is the amount of time it takes your car to travel the length of a football field. 
• The average teen texts 3000 texts a month.
• 1/3 teens admit to texting and driving.
• Insurance does not cover damages or liability for accidents caused by texting and driving.
• Civil lawsuits for damages can be pursued in accidents involving texting.
• 14 youth a day die from texting behind the wheel

“After doing this video,” said Schaffer, “I just cringe when I see a kid using a cell behind the wheel.”

The video also filmed a simulated crash experience at Lehigh Carbon Community College with Rachel Davis, 16, who commented, “I didn’t realize how hard it was; sometimes I crashed right away and you could feel the whole simulator shake, the windshield crack. . . it was very real.”

Interestingly, as a result of making this video, Mateo has made an agreement with her parents that if she catches them or they catch her using a cell phone behind the wheel, the culprit will give the other $50 dollars. 

While introducing the video, Bar Association of Lehigh County Executive Director Dan LaBert stressed the importance of this production, “Innocent lives are at stake.  We must give parents and educators the tools they need to understand the safe use of cell phones.”

Funded by a $15,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation, the video features 11 students from the LVPA Charter school filmed on various locations by eMedia Works of Center Valley producers Terri Haddad, Ed.D., Director Scott Paul, PhD., and Editor Brandon Pousley. 

 “Verizon is proud to improve the quality of life for youth and families in the LV by empowering the community with innovative tools and resources,” said Daniel J. Reavy, Director of External Affairs for Verizon Pennsylvania. 

Copies of the video will be distributed to school districts in the greater Lehigh Valley region to be shown as part of driver’s education. The video is available to the public to view and promote using this link Not Behind the Wheel.