Cinema Drive program visits SFHS to talk about safe teen driving

Idaho teens are 2.5 times more likely to get in a car crash than any other age group. A AAA study says teens nowadays show much more unsafe driving behavior than teens from 10 years ago. But on Thursday, we went to South Fremont High School where an interactive program was trying to make a positive influence.

AAA finds speeding, distractions, and not paying attention as the top mistakes made by newer drivers. However, a free program called “Cinema Drive” adds another factor — peer pressure.

“Peer pressure is everything. There is a lot of that and you need to stand and say, ‘OK, this is a good peer pressure. We don’t need to be driving on our phones.’ We need to understand when it’s a good type of peer pressure that they’re trying to help and look out for us as our friends,” senior James Bagley said.

“Pretty much what we do is have this awareness brought towards the high schoolers about prevention of texting and driving, peer pressure, drinking and driving. But what’s so cool about us is that we wrap technology around it where you have 3D glasses and handheld remotes. So it’s pretty much like a 21st-century assembly that comes out to your school and puts on a show in a fun, interactive way,” said “Cinema Drive” host Jamel Jacobs with Life Time Experiences.

“This one we were interactive. The 3D effect was really a big eye-opener to us because we saw things in a different perspective than just a 2D or just on paper,” Bagley said.

AAA’s study also mentions teens don’t take driving seriously. Nevertheless, the “Cinema Drive” program — with it’s 3D video and interactive surveys — has some students thinking twice.

“No distracted driving because it doesn’t just influence me, it influences everyone else. I don’t want to be one of those people who causes an accident or is involved with an accident. And if anything, I want to help prevent that and I don’t want to be a part of it,” senior Teya Williams said.

The study says parents need to be involved in their child’s driving. Lead by example, practice driving with teens, and talk about the dangers of driving. Next week is a perfect time to start — it is National Teen Driver Safety Week.