North Quincy High students learn about dangers of driving and texting

Program at N. Quincy High teaches dangers of driving and texting

QUINCY Standing in front of the junior class of North Quincy High School, the regional vice president of AT&T requested a show of

hands. In a serious tone, Dave Mancuso asked how many of them would be willing to drive blindfolded through a football field with their friends and family members scattered randomly about. How many of you think you could manage to do it without hitting a single one of them? he asked. There were no hands in the air, although nearly everyone raised a hand when asked if they owned a cell phone and if they had sent a text already, prior to 9 a.m. The anti-texting presentation Friday morning, entitled It Can Wait, sought to communicate to the students that no text is worth risking ones own life, or anyone elses. A documentary entitled The Last Text, showed the stories of families who had lost someone due to an accident caused by texting or who had ended someones life by texting and driving. State Rep. Bruce Ayers, D-Quincy, said he was a part of the push to get AT&T to bring their presentation to North Quincy High. He said he hopes to have it shown at other schools in his district, based on the response from the students. Im just glad it was so well received, he said. Kayla Sugrue said she saw the film as more than just a scare tactic, as texting and driving is a serious problem among teens. I know Ill probably put (my phone) in the glove compartment now, she said. Lauren DiTullio may be reached at lditullio@ledger.com.