Video: Tupelo Students Learn About Distracted Driving

[syndicaster id=’6031371′]

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Students in drivers ed classes at Tupelo High School learned about the dangers of impaired and distracted driving.

School Resource Officers with the Tupelo Police Department, along with members of “Students Against Violence Everywhere” held an event called “X the Text”

Drivers Ed students were able to wear fatal vision goggles, which simulated the effects of intoxication.

They were also able to navigate a course with special glasses that simulate distracted driving.

“Texting and driving among teens is one of the number one killers. Teen drivers are more than 7 times more likely to have an accident just by picking up your phone while you’re driving…. Every cone they hit represents maybe somebody’s child, or somebody’s pet. We are joking around today and having fun with it but I’ve encouraged them to go back and think about the actual consequences. ”

The event was funded through a grant from the Allstate Foundation.

Officer Naron hopes to make “X the Text” an annual event.