Amanda M. Usher | The Valdosta Daily TimesNames of people who've lost their lives due to distracted driving are displayed at a simulation event hosted by AT&T this week at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.

VALDOSTA — A distracted-driving simulator acted as a vessel Monday to convey an idea: “It can wait.”

Located at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, the virtual simulator was part of AT&T’s national campaign to increase awareness about distracted driving and its effects.

“Our main goal is to save lives and get this issue out to the public and let them know that no text, no email, no Facebook message, no glance at the phone is worth a life,” said Michael Stephenson, AT&T tour spokesperson.

The three-dimensional simulator took students on a virtual ride to allow them to see what could possibly happen if they become distracted while driving.

Names of fatalities and people who have been injured due to texting and driving were displayed on a well-lit wall during the event.

Chris Andruschkevich, a machine tool and welding student, was one of the students participating in the demonstration this week.

“It was pretty cool. I actually went through the distance that could be covered over a very short period of time. I would say the message is great. Don’t be distracted driving,” he said.

Andruschkevich said he was moving on a football field and covered 100 yards in less than five seconds.

“We ended up hitting something; so, basically trying to relate the fact that being distracted for a short period of time, reading a text … you could end up in an accident,” he said.

Ransom Weidner, a machine tool student, also participated in the demonstration. Weidner said he personally knows people that have been affected by texting while driving.

“It’s kind of important to keep your phone down,” he said.

Eugene Hardimon, a Valdosta State University health-care administration senior, was invited to the simulation by his friend, Kevin Griggs, AT&T Brand ambassador.

“It’s definitely an eye-opener. I’ve seen a lot of people that have actually gotten into accidents from texting and driving, and I see the fatality thing when driving on the highway.

“It’s constantly going up throughout the year, so I know it’s something a lot of people take very lightly; but people are actually out here dying from it,” he said.

Distracted driving has become an epidemic, said Courtney Brinson, AT&T regional manager – external affairs.

Brinson said there’s never a good time to become inattentive to the road and people have become dependent upon instant communications.

“You become dependent upon that, to stay in tune to what is going on around with you and your friends, but you do have to draw a line someplace,” he said, “and your safety and well-being certainly overrides any of that.”

Dr. Tina Anderson, president of Wiregrass, said student safety is of the utmost importance and the demonstration is powerful for the students.

“If we can save one life from it, we can prevent one wreck, that would be powerful,” she said.

Anderson said a person is not just answering a text message when driving, but they’re being a danger to themselves and others on the road.  

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.