In 2023, distracted driving killed more than 3,000 people, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The Johnson High School PTSA Smart Driving Club is doing what it can to help reduce those numbers by steering younger students toward safer habits.
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Smart Driving Club is spreading awareness through an eye-opening experience for younger students. They recently took their pedal car and vision-altering goggles to Hill Middle School to show students there how drunk driving and distracted driving can lead to terrible consequences.
Johnson senior Lola Park joined the Smart Driving Club three years ago. She couldn’t yet drive when she joined. Pledging not to text and drive before she even got her license has helped her. After all, you can’t break a habit you don’t start.
“I think it’s important that we teach people how dangerous distracted driving is and how much it leaves an impact on people,” said Lola. “Smart driving WILL save lives.”
The middle school students swerved, ran over cones and quickly realized how hard it is to drive even a pedal car when you aren’t fully paying attention.
After the sobering test drive, the students signed a pledge never to drive distracted when they get their licenses.
Thanks to Lola and the Johnson PTSA Smart Driving Club, the next generation of drivers is already making better choices and developing safe habits behind the wheel.
