UNCW and AT&T Demonstrate the Dangers of Texting and Driving through Virtual Reality Experience

According to a recent study by AAA, almost 50% of teens admit to texting while driving. This dangerous habit not only puts the life of the driver at risk, but also jeopardizes the innocent lives of surrounding motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

In an effort to raise awareness on this deadly habit, AT&T teamed up with University of North Carolina Wilmington to deliver a virtual reality (VR) experience that demonstrates the dangers of not only texting and driving, but distracted driving.

AT&T provided VR equipment to give students, faculty and staff the chance to participant in a simulated wreck caused by a distracted driver. In this case, the driver was texting. After experiencing the VR scenario, participants had the chance to sign the national pledge to not use smartphones while driving.

The “It Can Wait” campaign was implemented six years ago by AT&T to raise attention on the dangers of using a mobile device while driving. The VR experience offers participants a sobering perspective on the consequences of distracted driving.

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To shed light on how severe texting and driving is, read the statistics below according to Distraction.Gov:

• 431,000 Americans were injured in an accident involving a distracted driver (2014)
• 3,179 Americans were killed due to a distracted driver (2014)
• At any given moment in America, 660,000 drivers use a cellphone or manipulate an electronic device while driving. This rate has remained steady since 2010.
• Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road when texting.
• If a driver is traveling at 55 mph, it’s enough to cover the length of a football field blinded.
• 10% of drivers age 15 to 19 involved in fatal accidents were reported distracted at the time of the accident. This group had the largest proportion of drivers distracted at the time of the crash

There is simply no excuse for texting while driving. Aside from this action being illegal and resulting in hefty fines, you are carelessly putting the lives of innocent motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians and the passengers in your vehicle at risk. Next time you get behind the wheel, consider your actions, and please do not text & drive.

If you or a loved one are injured in an accident that not your fault, Daggett Shuler Law is here to help. Call us today at 336-724-1234 for a FREE, confidential consultation. When you call, you will speak with an experienced Winston-Salem and Greensboro, NC Car Accident attorney at no cost to you.

At Daggett Shuler, you will never pay an attorney’s fee up front, and we don’t get paid until we recover for you.

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