Safe Driving More Than Just a PSA

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Local teens who produced a safe driving Public Service Announcement are hoping their peers learn more about the responsibilities of being behind the wheel.

First Coast News caught up with recent graduates, Andy Leverett and Kayla Bennett, in the television production studio of Douglas Anderson School Of The Arts.

The teens worked with two other classmates on a recent PSA showing Kayla behind the wheel, bopping with her iPod, eating, talking on the phone, and texting, until she looks up to see the crash that is too late to avoid.

After viewing the video message, we put Bennett on the hot seat.

"Truth time," we asked.

"Have you ever done any of those things?"

Bennett didn't miss a beat.

"Occasionally I'll catch myself eating while driving or on my phone while driving," she replied, adding being part of the PSA production really opened her eyes.

"It helped us as students see what actually happens when we talk on the phone, drive, like have people distracting us while driving, or eating while driving, just see how much you can actually get hurt!"

Andy Leverett agreed.

"Working on the PSA, it really has changed a lot of the ways I drive," said Leverett. "I've actually been in an accident from texting my girlfriend and it was not fun."

Now, these recent high school graduates are diplomats for safe driving among their peers.

"Even though I want to deny that something like that could happen to me, or anyone, it's the truth! That can happen to anyone if they're not paying attention!" said Leverett.

And both Bennett and Leverett are religious about buckling up.

"Wear a seatbelt. It improves your odds in a rollover and things like that. You can have your life saved just by having the little belt on!"

And making the PSA, these students say, has taught them about the ultimate responsibility behind the wheel.

"I am the adult in the car. I'm the one driving. It's MY responsibility to make sure that the people that I'm with are safe," said Bennett.