San Jose Teens Learn Dangers Of Texting While Driving
SAN JOSE (KCBS) - Some San Jose high school students got a firsthand look at the dangers of texting while driving on Wednesday.
Students at Oak Grove High School drove through a coned course, once while paying attention and then a second time while being sent text messages from a teacher.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
Senior Bryant Lopez, who hit a number of cones, said he and his friends often carry on text conversations while driving.
"I like to respond really fast. I don't want people to wait on me," Lopez said. "So I just text them back."
CHP Officer Reuben Jones, who rode in the passenger seat while Lopez was texting, said it's extremely dangerous to take your eyes off the road, even if it's just for a second or two.
"At average speeds, the average person looks down for three to five seconds. (In that time) you could travel the distance of a football field if you're going about 55 miles per hour," said Jones.
Nationally, about 3,500 teens die in car crashes every year.
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