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DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. Several students at Dobbs Ferry High School were visibly touched by a presentation by Jacy Good Wednesday morning on the dangers of distracted driving.
Its like the human element always adds a lot more to a story than a bunch of statistics or just a PowerPoint, said Dobbs Ferry senior Marty Ascher.
Others said that after seeing the presentation they will undoubtedly think twice about picking up their cell phone while behind the wheel.
Definitely changes my mind now that its put into a real life situation, said Dobbs Ferry senior John Yozzo-Scaperrotta. I mean its pretty dramatic.
Good was in a car crash with her parents that was caused by a distracted driver on the day of her college graduation in 2008. A driver on his phone ran a red light, causing a tractor trailer to swerve out of the way and into Goods car. Both of her parents were killed in the accident and Good was given only a 10 percent chance of surviving.
Life is really good right now, but the things Ive lost you dont really see, she said. I need to use notes telling my own story of my life because my brain just doesnt keep track as well.
Although the tragic event changed her life forever, Good reminded students of the ripple effect an accident like hers can have on anyone.
You dont need to be one of the families in the car to be effected by this, she said.
Distracted driving includes texting and talking on a cell phone, even on a hands free blue tooth device.
Your eyes may look, but your brain just cant process all thats going on, Good said.
Dobbs Ferry High School Principal John Falino said assemblies involving the entire school are rare, especially during the school day, but a presentation like this was an opportunity he did not want students to miss.
I dont really like to pull the kids out of class so we dont have these kind of assemblies unless its something really important, which this is, Falino said.
Its been almost four years since the accident and Good said she travels around the country telling her story with only a couple of days off a week. Good said that 23 percent of all car accidents are caused by distracted driving so putting the phone down could save lives.
Its not cool to be wasted and get behind the wheel of a car and your friends wont let you drive, she said. Cell phones need to be the same way. There needs to be a social change.
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