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Kentucky Teens Learn Danger of Texting and Driving with D2 Simulator

May 6, 2010 - Recent studies have shown that the "average" teen sends 100 text messages a day. Even though we would like to believe our teens are responsible enough to not text while driving, the reported 57,000 crashes that were caused by "distracted driving" last year prove that we need to start educating our teens about the dangers of texting.

As a result, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's Drive Smart division launched a program aimed at educating teen drivers about the dangers of distracted driving through the "D2" simulator. The machine looks like an arcade game, except this game is equipped with left and right turn signals as well as a working horn and is designed to recreate a realistic driving experience for students.

While students at Murray High School engaged with the simulator, instructors asked them to read, type, and send text messages while still being able to watch for "stop signs" on the simulator screen. The D2 simulator than calibrates how long the sign appeared before the user pressed on the brakes and how long it would have taken the car to stop.

Seeing the results on screen has definitely made some teens using the simulator program think twice before they decide to text and drive. During its two day stop at Murray High School, 125 students were able to use the D2 simulator, and not a moment too soon. Kentucky recently became the 23^rd state to ban texting while driving. Warnings will begin this summer and citations for texting while driving will begin in January 2011.

These teens will likely face additional challenges since Kentucky also passed new legislation banning anyone younger than 18-years-old from using a cell phone at all while behind the wheel. That law also will go into effect next year.

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