SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - What's one of the best ways to teach teens about the dangers of districted driving? How about let them do it and then see the consequences for themselves.
It happened all in controlled safety course Saturday set up by Allstate Insurance.
The teens trying it all tell ABC4 they don't text and drive.
“It's not safe, it's stupid,” said Megan Toth.
“Sometimes I'll do it at the lights,” said Logan Garside. “As much as I can, I prefer not to text and drive.”
The teens are challenged with texting, phone calls, loud music and rowdy passengers while trying to stay in the lines of the course.
“The purpose of it is to show them the impact of answering a phone or text while driving in a nice, safe controlled environment,” said Adam Garside, Logan’s dad.
ABC4 cameras capture Logan struggling staying in the cones with texting. "How many cones did I just get? I don't know but it was a lot,” he said.
But it's not just teen drivers who were encouraged to take the test. Allstate says their parents' driving habits are bigger influences than they might think.
“I think parents come out here not expecting to be taught a lesson and then they walk away thinking twice themselves,” said Chelci Vaughan, and Allstate spokesperson. “It's not just for the teens it’s also for the parents.”
It's safe to say both teens and parents drove off the course with some lessons learned first hand.
“It really distracts what they're doing in the car and impairs their ability to operate,” said Adam Garside.
“A text isn't really as important as your life,” said Logan Garside.
