It Can Wait | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: This article was originally created by the ECU News Services.

Dangers of texting while driving highlighted at campus event

    East Carolina University students had the opportunity to experience the dangers of texting while driving Tuesday, when the AT&T "It Can Wait" Driving Simulator paid a visit to the Mendenhall brickyard.

    The 3-D simulation creates the experience of texting while driving for up to three minutes in approximately eight blocks of a city. Participants wear virtual reality goggles that display a video documenting close calls with pedestrians, baby carriages and other drivers until ultimately, a collision occurs. The experience simulates the eyes-off-the-road and hands-off-the-wheel experience of texting while driving, which causes the vehicle to swerve.

    "National statistics show nearly 25 percent of all accidents are related to texting while driving," said Erik Kneubuehl, associate vice chancellor for Student Involvement and Leadership. "We also know college-aged students are among those texting the most," he said.

    Kneubuebl said educational simulation could help save lives. "The loss of one life due to texting while driving is one too many," he said said.

    AT&T has been using the technology for about two months. Greenville was the first North Carolina location to host the simulator. The event was sponsored by ECU's Office of Student Involvement and Leadership with support from Greek Life, Student Activities and Organizations, Leadership and Service Learning, Intercultural Affairs and the Student Government Association.


Gregory Whitfield, standing, adjusts the virtual reality goggles for Nick Stanley while he experiences texting while driving.


ECU student Tinasia Garreth tries out the virtual reality simulator.


ECU Police officer B. O. Richardson takes a turn.


Students wait for a chance to get behind the wheel for the texting while driving simulation. (Photos by Cliff Hollis)