CHARMCO -
Images of bloody faces, ambulance lights, smashed cars and tearful family members silenced a gym filled with teenagers at Greenbrier West High School.
Representatives from AT&T presented a 10 minute video detailing real life accounts of texting and driving accidents, and deaths.
It's a program to educate high schoolers on the deadly consequences of texting and driving because drivers age 20 and younger have the highest number of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes.
"We're really trying to scare these kids because right now in their life they're 10 foot tall and bullet proof. They don't think anything can touch them. We've all been there. We just really want to instill some fear in these guys to let them know, hey it can happen to you. It can happen to any of us," said Ashley Birchfield, AT&T area retail sales manager.
AT&T's latest statistics show drivers who text are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car accident.
Principal Randy Ayvil said the presentation allowed students to see real life accounts of life changing text messages.
"We want to affect the entire group, but we're very hopeful if we can affect one or two, that if we save them, it will be worthwhile," said Ayvil.
"They really hit home with what can happen when you text and drive and you're not paying attention. They were saying it takes eight seconds and it's the length of a football field. A lot can happen in the length of a football field. It kind of tears you up a little," said Mattie Hicks, Greenbrier West senior.
The most haunting image for Senior Autumn Lively was seeing a picture of the site where a girl her age was killed sending a one word text.
"Whenever they found the girl in the road and her cap and gown was still in the back of the car and she was graduating the next day. I'm a senior this year and I don't want that to happen to any of my friends or anybody in my class," said Lively.
Is a three letter text really worth the devastation?
AT&T's message is simple: Texting and driving can wait.
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