Event highlights dangers of texting while driving

  Tuesday, September 27, 2016 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Pitt State students this week have the chance to learn first-hand the dangers of texting while driving.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, The SEAT simulator will be in Lindburg Plaza on campus. The SEAT simulator, a service of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, is built using an actual dashboard and features a steering wheel and pedals, which students use to navigate while watching the “roadway” being displayed on a flat screen monitor.

The SEAT instructor is able to change the driving hazards, such as weather and heavy or light traffic and will send the student a text. When the student violates the rules of the road such as speeding, going left of center, stop sign violation or crashes, an alert is given.

The simulator event is part of the university’s participation in the statewide “Don’t Text, Just Drive” campaign, which is aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of texting while driving.

Wednesday’s event is hosted by student groups Gorillas In Your Midst and the Gorilla Activities Board. Along with the simulator experience, the groups will provide information on “Sorry, I’m Driving” phone apps and encourage students, faculty and staff to take a pledge to not text while driving.

The Kansas Insurance Department, insurance companies and governmental sponsors created the “Don’t Text #Just Drive” campaign to get university students and supporters to pledge to stop texting while driving.

Supporters of each participating university will be able to take the pledge two ways: Online or by text messaging. The number of pledges each school receives will be compared to its official fall 2016 enrollment to calculate a percentage. Results will be tabulated and the winner announced during university athletic contests this fall and winter.

The participating schools are the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University, Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University, Washburn University and Emporia State University.

Voting ends Nov. 22. Pledge votes can be cast texting 50555 and choosing one of the school keywords: KU, Wildcat, Shocker, Tiger, Gorilla, Ichabod, or Hornet. Voters can also go online at http://www.icwkansas.att.com. More information about the campaign can also be found at www.ksinsurance.org/justdrive.