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Lake Holcombe students take the pledge ‘to wait’

By Monique Westaby

At an It Can Wait assembly at Lake Holcombe School May

7, sixth through twelfth grade students had the opportunity

to see just how texting while driving can impair a driver.

“Everyone always thinks it won’t happen to them,” said

Morgan Webster, student council president. “But it does hap-

pen and the message is very simple: There’s no text worth

dying for.”

A simulation experience was set up for three students to

try their hand at texting and driving. All three of them failed

to follow basic traffic laws while on their phones, resulting

in failure to stop at a stop sign and speeding violations.

Although students found humor in the simulation, Kent

Disch, AT&T Wisconsin, says the simulation is really an eye

opener. “If the heavy stuff doesn’t reach them, then maybe

the lighter stuff will.”

In 2013, Wisconsin drivers were convicted of 399 counts

of texting while driving, while inattentive drivers were con-

victed 8,492 times. Donald Lyden, safety research analyst

with the Bureau of Transportation Safety, says many mo-

torists who text are often cited for inattentive driving.

“Studies have shown that you are more impaired when you

text and drive, than if you were legally drunk,” said Disch.

“Everyone raised their hands when they said they’ve been in

a car with somebody who was texting. How many of you

would have gotten in that same car if you knew the person

driving was drunk? Probably none of you.

“If you wouldn’t get in a car with someone who’s been

drinking, don’t let your friend text while driving.”

Nationally, research shows 200,000 accidents happen

yearly that involve texting, up from the 100,000 estimate

given a few years ago.

“There is no doubt that texting is a dangerous practice

while driving,” said Sen. Terry Moulton at the assembly. “It’s

one of the most dangerous things you can do behind the

wheel.”

Moulton said the average text takes about 5 seconds. At 55

m.p.h., a vehicle will have traveled the length of a football

field in that time.

“Imagine closing your eyes for 5 seconds at 55 m.p.h.,”

said Moulton. “I don’t think that’s something you would ever

imagine doing in real life.”

In 2010, the Wisconsin Legislature passed a law that bans

texting while driving. Mark Walloch, Wisconsin State Patrol

trooper, says those convicted of the offense will receive a

$187.50 fine, as well as four demerit points on their license.

“Law enforcement officers want you to comply voluntarily

with the law and never text while driving,” said Walloch. “We

are not eager to give you a ticket, but if you don’t comply

with the law, you’re risking a ticket and something much

worse.”

“educates the public about the dangers of texting while driv-

ing, and encourages consumers to take the pledge to never

text and drive at ItCanWait.com,” according to a release from

AT&T Wisconsin.

Since 2010, AT&T, AAA and the State Patrol have part-

nered together to hold events in 52 cities throughout Wiscon-

sin, reaching nearly 25,000 high school students.

“I want to remind you to not just worry about your texting

and driving,” said Rep. Tom Larson. “You have to worry

about the other guy too. We want to encourage you to take

the pledge, and never text and drive.

“There’s nothing more important than your safety and the

safety of others on the highway.”

An It Can Wait assembly was held at Lake Holcombe School May 7, to tell (and

show) students how texting is a distraction while driving. Representatives for

the campaign and state were at the event to talk with over 115 middle and high

school students. From left, Mary Miller, AAA Wisconsin; Rep. Tom Larson;

Mark Walloch, WI State Patrol; Sen. Terry Moulton; Kent Disch, AT&T Wiscon-

sin; Morgan Webster, Lake Holcombe student council president.

(Photo by Monique Westaby)

Amanda Ewer was the first to test out the distracted

driving simulator, showing how gas and brake ped-

als were used to make things “more realistic.” Ewer

was “cited” for failing to stop at a stop sign after

receiving a call from a friend.

(Photo by Monique Westaby)

Students and staff “took the pledge” to never text

and drive after the It Can Wait assembly May 7, at

Lake Holcombe School. Students sealed their com-

mittment with a signature and thumbprint.

(Photo by Monique Westaby)

AREA NEWS Thursday, May 22, 2014

COURIER SENTINEL Page 13

Walloch referenced a case

from 2012, where a 19-year-

old girl was sentenced to

prison after texting while

driving. The girl hit and

killed a UW student, who

was standing behind his dis-

abled vehicle. “That moment

will haunt her for the rest of

her life.”

The It Can Wait campaign,

launched by AT&T in 2009,

Above: Katie Rhude also

experienced the dis-

tracted driving simulator.

While texting and driving,

Rhude’s session ended

when she was “caught”

speeding on the inter-

state. Bailey Viegut also

participated in the simu-

lation, with her session

ending in speeding while

“looking up movie times”

on her phone.

(Photo by

Monique Westaby)