Created: 9/17/2009 4:28:51 PM 
PARKLAND, FL -- By now you've probably seen the brutally graphic video on the web showing a British public service announcement about the dangers of texting while driving.
It shows a horrible crash and it's tragic consequences, all intended to grab the attention of young drivers with it's stark message.
Despite what many may think, many teens themselves are against texting while driving.
In Parkland, Florida a group of high school kids even became proactive. They donned white t-shirts and convinced Parkland City commissioners to ban texting while driving in their hometown.
"Before we started this project, my friends and I had no idea that texting was the most dangerous thing to do while driving," said student Michael Ross.
Parkland has just 24,000 people, but it's making a statement by banning texting while driving, even if it's only within its borders.
In preparing for their lobbying at city hall, the high school sophomores, who are just getting their own driver permits, say kids influence kids.
"If other kids see other kids like us are putting this out there and telling you that it's dangerous, we think that it's a really important situation that they should pay attention to", said student Danielle Levy.
Video examples on TV and the web back up the message: A bus driver texting in his right hand before a crash, and another shows a trucker dropping his cigarette.
These two examples are part of a Virginia Tech study comparing distracted drivers in general. The study measured non-distracted drivers compared to dialing a cell phone.
Dialing the phone was three times riskier, talking on a cell, two times riskier and reaching for a device, up to seven times riskier.
Still, nothing was worse than texting, more than 23 times riskier than an non-distracted driver.
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