By Jennifer Perez

On October 20, Miami Lakes Educational Center hosted a #DntTxtNDrv Teen Driver Safety Seminar to bring awareness to the danger associated with being a distracted driver- especially by texting and driving.

MLEC was visited by several guests and guest speakers who had clear advice for all teens: don’t text and drive. One guest speaker – Emily Slosberg – spoke about losing her twin sister, several friends, and almost her own life, due to a distracted driver. “You don’t think stuff like that can happen to you but it can,” she said. Emily cautioned against driving while distracted or texting and warned students to always wear their seatbelts.

"Don't text & drive. Be mindful of the road. Most importantly, wear your seat belt." -Emily w/ advice on being a safe driver. #DntTxtNDrv

— The Harbinger (@HarbingerMLEC) October 20, 2015

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Joe Sanchez also took the stage, encouraging students to wear their seatbelts. He spoke about the times he’s had to knock on someone’s door and tell them they’ve just lost a loved one to a car accident.

Thank you Trooper Joe Sanchez on your advice on being a safe driver. #DntTxtNDrv pic.twitter.com/YGosrKlTXw

— The Harbinger (@HarbingerMLEC) October 20, 2015

Guest speakers often mentioned statistics to prove how dangerous texting and driving is. One of many statistics says that texting makes a driver 23 times more likely to crash. According to the National Safety Council, 1,600,000 accidents per year are caused by texting and driving out of over 5.25 million. At least 11 teens, on average, die per day just from car accidents.

Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, joined by several school board chair members, also took the stage to talk to MLEC’s students about safe driving. Not only did he speak about driving safe, but he advised students to “treat every moment of our lives as a precious gift.”

"Safety of of paramount importance, particularly behind the wheel" Superintendent Carvalho tells Jaguars #DNTtxtNDRV pic.twitter.com/Ze0zZyUrmm

— MLEC (@MLECJaguars) October 20, 2015

MLEC’s principal, Mr. Parker, spoke several times to his students about safe driving. After Highway Patrol Trooper Sanchez spoke about knocking on people’s door to tell them about their loss, Mr. Parker went on to call his students his kids; he never wants to get a notification that one of his kids didn’t make it because of a car accident.

"Get your priorities straight… Pay attention to what you're doing on the road." –@parker67 #DntTxtNDrv

— The Harbinger (@HarbingerMLEC) October 20, 2015

The auditorium of students that attended ended the seminar by taking the pledge not to text and drive.

“No text message, email, website or video is worth the risk of endangering my life or the lives of others on the road. I pledge to never text and drive and will take action to educate others about the dangers of texting while driving.”

Some students even admitted to having their mind changed about texting and driving after attending the seminar.

I thought texting & driving was harmless. After today's presentation, I now believe otherwise. #DntTxtNDrv pic.twitter.com/UZ4WySwA0h

— clairel0ves (@clairel0ves) October 20, 2015

While the seminar was educational to hundreds of students, not every teenager is able to attend such eye-opening events. If teens aren’t convinced about the dangers of texting and driving, they should remember: looking at your phone means you are distracted for a minimum of five seconds– driving at 55 mph, that’s driving the length of a football field without looking at the road. Even just dialing, texting, listening, or reaching for the phone increases risk of a crash.