FREE ANTI-TEXTING AND DRIVING PROGRAM ATTRACTS ENTHUSIASTIC STUDENTS AT FIVE HIGH SCHOOLS

Port Orange, Fla. -- Nearly 2,500 students from five area high schools recently entered a “text-free zone” as they participated in free hands-on anti-texting and driving lessons at their respective schools. The weeklong session – for the second time running the campaign - presented by the Port Orange-based law firm of Rue, Ziffra and Caldwell, and Gary Yeoman’s Ford Lincoln in Daytona Beach – was held April 29 through May 3 at five Volusia and Flagler county high schools. Students learned first-hand the dangers of texting while driving as they got behind the wheel of a Ford Mustang that was equipped with a state-of-the-art device that simulates what happens when the driver is distracted, according to Luis Gracia a partner in the personal-injury firm. A wrecked car positioned in front of each school during the sessions set the tone. “Each time we help bring the simulator to area schools the students seem more excited to participate,” Gracia said. “That enthusiasm is just what we need to get students to take the pledge against texting and driving.” Gracia or one of the other attorneys from the firm were on hand at each session to explain to students what they’ve learned first-hand by representing cases – many of which had tragic endings – that involved texting and driving. National statistics show that 50 percent of drivers between 18 and 24 say they text while driving, and data compiled from simulated sessions throughout the United States show that nearly all of those who got behind the wheel failed after speeding, swerving and sometimes even striking simulated pedestrians. Gracia said the firm plans to team up with Gary Yeoman’s and WESH 2 again to present another free texting and driving campaign in November 2013, as well as continuing to sponsor future teen safe-driving sessions that the two companies have collaborated on in the past.