Last week students had the chance to experience first hand the consequences of texting and driving, without, of course, the likelihood of perishing in a car crash.
 The National Save a Life Tour, partnered with Kramer Entertainment Agency, set up in the Student Union Mall to bring awareness to distracted driving. Distracted driving not only includes text messaging, but cell phone use altogether.
“We’re here trying to bring awareness to the fact that texting and driving is one of the most dangerous things you can be doing while on the road, not only texting, but any cell phone use in general,” said Adam Kelly, a Kramer Entertainment Agency employee.
Students got the chance to sit behind the wheel of a driving simulator. There was an iPod attached for use. The goal was to try and answer as many text messages as possible while obeying all the rules of the road. “This simulator is four times more sensitive than any vehicle, due to the fact that there is no inertia. You’re not going to feel yourself turning, breaking, and accelerating,” Kelly said.
Samuel Lockhart, a senior English literature major, had trouble answering the text messages. “The problem for me was that I am not familiar with the iPod so it was hard to coordinate driving and texting,” Lockhart said.
Other students enjoyed the experience because they learned how easy it is to become distracted behind the wheel.
“It was pretty realistic, but it just was teaching everybody a lesson. Hopefully, they’ll learn too,” said Mack Keys, a sophomore business management major.
Freshman English education major, Matt Gutierrez, felt the whole experience was more distracting than driving an actual car.
“Yeah, I will probably [text and drive] again. You can’t really feel what you’re doing here,” said Gutierre. “I’m not saying it’s safe, but I naturally slow down if I’m sending someone a text and driving. Plus, the guy next to you is talking to you while you’re trying to drive, so it’s distracting altogether.”
The overall experiences for students were educational.
 “I’ll try my best not to do it again after trying this out,” said Kimbriane Jefferson, a junior nursing major.
Kelly and his co-worker, Cody Beerthuis, are extremely passionate about the tour. The message they are trying to send is a clear one. Do not text and drive.
“A little two-by-four piece of plastic or a text message or a phone call even is never worth your life,” said Beerthuis.
According to Kelly, the texting and driving accident he was in has changed his view on life. Three years ago, his brother came home on leave from the Army Search and Rescue division. On the way home from the airport, Kelly, who was texting and driving, didn’t react fast enough to the semi-truck trailer slowing down in front of him. His brother was the only fatality.
“I was driving us home, sitting there texting and driving, not paying attention. It took me almost a year to realize what I did was wrong,” said Kelly. “My message to the students is to be a little smarter about being behind the wheel of a vehicle. You’re driving a deadly weapon. If you take your eyes off the road for five seconds, you can kill someone.”