Group aims to curb texting while driving

From left, Diana Xiong, Kaochi Xiong, Sarah McMahon and Eileen Rivera. Submitted

The campaign, “X the Text,” sponsored by Allstate Insurance Company, is focused on the prevention of texting while driving.

Studies show people are 23 times more likely to get in a car accident when they are texting and driving at the same time.

Basically, the youth council has been presenting information to all junior and senior classes at the high school. They go into classrooms and discuss the campaign, show a dramatic video and then give the students in the class a chance to take a special pledge. When the students take this pledge they make a promise not to text and drive.

To take the pledge the students put their thumb print on a large anti-texting poster along with hundreds of other students. All who take the pledge receive a thumb band, which is a ring worn around your thumb that says “texting kills.” The thumb band is a reminder not to text while driving since the thumb is the primary finger used when texting. There has been a very positive reaction among the students and teachers participating in the campaign.

The Youth Council also did the campaign at the local Youth and Family Fair and the Health Fair, as well as at Sunset Alternative High School.

The Friday Night Live youth feel that the campaign is not only for the students, but for the community as a whole. All in all, the Youth Council is a group of value-driven young individuals who want to serve their community, and in this case, spread the word on how dangerous texting while driving can be.