Trinity High Students Learning Dangers Of Texting While Driving

STAMFORD, Conn. – Bearingstar Insurance will bring the newly relaunched Distractology tour to Trinity Catholic High School in Stamford during the week of May 2-6 to teach teen drivers the dangers of distracted driving.

The Distractology tour will visit Trinity Catholic High School May 2-6 to teach teen drivers the dangers of distracted driving.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

Nicole Briggs

05/02/2016 4:30 a.m.

Developed and funded by the Arbella Insurance Foundation, Distractology was one of the first programs in the country to address distracted driving with young, inexperienced drivers.

The campaign features a 36-foot-long mobile classroom outfitted with two high-tech driving simulators designed to give new drivers the chance to experience the perils of distracted driving, including texting while driving.

Teens have the highest crash rate of any group in the U.S. A 2015 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that distraction was a factor in nearly six out of 10 moderate-to-severe teen crashes. Forty percent of teens say they have been in a car when the driver used a cellphone in a way that put people in danger. Sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field, blind.

“Distracted driving continues to be a dangerous epidemic that affects our youth at alarming rates,” said John Donohue, chairman, president and CEO of the Arbella Insurance Group and chairman of the Arbella Insurance Foundation. “Distractology has proven highly effective in reducing the chances of a traffic violation by giving students across New England a firsthand look at the devastating consequences of driving while distracted. We’re proud to extend our commitment to keeping our roads safe one student at a time through Distractology.”

Drivers who have completed Distractology are proven to be 19 percent less likely to have an accident and 25 percent less likely to get traffic violations.

“Distractology plays a vital role in educating New England teens on the dangers of distracted driving, and the revamped trailer truly illustrates how distractions take your full attention away from driving,” said Joanne Berlinski of Bearingstar Insurance.

Distractology is free to eligible drivers. To sign up for the Distractology training, contact Joanne Berlinski at 860-618-1184.

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