Firefighter Warns Students of Dangers of Texting and Driving

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than nine people are killed and more than 1,060 are injured each day in crashes caused by distracted drivers.

On Monday, April 22, Wheaton North students—who are just learning the rules of the road—heard first-hand from Lombard firefighter Greg Vazquez about the dangers of texting while driving. 

A 24-year firefighter and paramedic veteran, Vazquez is the founder of The Right Direction, designed to educate teens on the dangers of distracted driving, according to a news release from District 200. Throughout his career, Vazquez has seen the consequences of a drivers decision to text while driving.

“As high school students just learning the rules of the road, teens are the most vulnerable group of drivers on the road, as well as, the most distracted. Given the facts and realities, teens, parents, and communities must work together to change dangerous driving habits," Vazquez said in a statement.

Wheaton North Drivers Ed teacher Mr. Mike Oleszek, who invited Vazquez to talk to students said he hopes to save lives by educating teen drivers.

"Mr. Vazquez's powerful, hands-on presentation will reinforce what we teach our students in the classroom," he said.

Both Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South high schools offer Drivers Education classes as part of their courses. While Drivers Ed classes review the dangers of distracted driving, Olszek said, “It’s still important for teens to hear from someone who sees the horrific consequences of distracted driving. My hope is that we can encourage our kids to have safe driving habits.”

View a podcast of the presentation here. 

Courtesy of a press release from District 200.

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