   |
 |
Junior High Students Setting Example for Texting and Driving Ban
Junior High Students Setting Example for Texting and Driving Ban 1/31/13
CBS 7 News Reporter
January 31, 2013
tguinn@cbs7.com
Coahoma - A number of west Texas cities have made attempts to combat a dangerous trend that's plaguing west Texas roads. But only one town has managed to take a stab at texting while driving.
Now a generation that can't even get behind the wheel is taking up the cause, hoping to prevent tragedy down the road.
Midland couldn't do it, Odessa couldn't either, but Coahoma did. They passed a texting and driving ban; a move that caught the attention of junior high kids.
“Texting while driving is the equivalent of drinking four beers and driving,” Tyler Martin, an 8th grader at Coahoma.
His classmates agreed.
“It’s a terrible trend. They need to know that they could be next if they don’t stop,” Ashley Ferguson, 8th grader at Coahoma said.
Now, these kids who aren't even old enough to drive are spreading the message to not drive "intexticated."
“Our generation is so attached to their phones. We want them to realize how dangerous it is,” Jenavee Striegler, 8th grader at Coahoma said.
They've spent months passing out flyers and working to get their community behind their efforts.
“Hopefully they’ll tell their relatives about it and stop texting and driving,” Martin said.
Striegler hopes the same.
“We’re telling them that people are dying from this. It needs to stop,” she said.
Their teacher Lindsey Pinkerton says these kids are actually teaching her something.
“It’s so easy to glance down at your phone, but since their project I’ve been more conscious about that. I know that when I’m in the car, my phone is away,” Pinkerton said.
Their goal is to prove that a texting ban is possible and it works.