REVERE (CBS) – State transportation and public safety leaders unveiled a new program on Wednesday designed to teach young drivers about the perils of distracted driving.

Officials at the Registry of Motor Vehicles are trying to give teens a hard lesson on the dangers of texting and driving. It’s called “Distract-ology 101.”

WBZ News Radio 1030′s Mark Katic reports from Revere High School.

The program simulates what can happen while you are distracted about driving.

Revere High student Tiffany Souther tried it.

“They see how prepared you are for anything that can happen,” said Tiffany.

UMass professor Don Fisher created the program, and said it shows the difference between normal and distracted driving.

“When you look at the speedometer, you only spend roughly half a second. When you’re texting, you can spend three or four seconds looking away from the road,” said Fisher.

In 2009, there was just under 5,500 deaths on American highways related to distracted driving.