The car zooms up to a busy intersection. Despite the music blasting, the driver can still hear the ping of a text notification. She reaches over to check her phone, leaving the car with no one to stop it as it gets closer and closer to traffic.
Impact Teen Drivers representative Zoe Schuler and Officer Andy Montiel visited Carlmont on April 14 to remind students of the risks of distracted driving.
This assembly organized by the PTA urged students to think about the small acts, like putting on lipgloss, that could result in a crash.
ASB Assembly Supervisor Annie Klups said, “[The event] will make students realize the consequences of distracted driving and how many people that it can impact. I can only hope that the message got through to students.”
According to Impact Teen Drivers, the number of deaths from drug use and suicide combined do not equal the number of deaths caused by reckless driving.
“Students might not be completely aware of what the dangers are. It’s not just statistics; this is real. This is something that we [police] see on a regular basis,” said Montiel.
According to Montiel, the conversations police and medical personnel have with the families of the victims are the most difficult.
The speakers of the assembly advised drivers and drivers-to-be to create their own rules to prevent distractions.
“I kind of expected to hear the same message that we’ve already heard before on social media and commercials on TV, the speakers engaged with the audience and the stories were interesting and really drew your attention. [The assembly] instilled a sense of security, like ‘these kind of things are preventable,’” said junior Savanna Dillon.
However, not all students thought the assembly was executed in a way that resonated.
Senior Shayan Mandegarian felt that the assembly covered topics that were obvious like not texting while driving and wearing a seatbelt.
“I respect the message itself and I respect the officers, but I didn’t think [the assembly] was needed. It was really just stating the obvious for me,” said Mandegarian.
For more information, check out Impact Teen Drivers and What do you consider lethal?
