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'Distractology 101' Class Teaches Students Dangers Of Distracted Driving

NEWTON (CBS) - There is a new class being offered at Newton South High School this week, conducted in what looks like a yellow Winnebago with the words 'Distractology 101' on the side.

Offered by Arbella Insurance, the simulator travels around teaching students the dangers of driving distracted.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports

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"We put them through a series of scenarios and present them with some things you may encounter on an everyday basis and see how they do while distracted," Instructor Robert Bliss told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens.

As part of one scenario, Bliss asked students to talk on a cellphone while driving into a busy intersection.

The class is being offered as a new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association says the number of 16- and 17-year-old driver deaths in passenger vehicles in the country was higher for the first six months of 2012 than in the first six months of 2011.

Deaths of 16-year-olds increased from 86 to 107, and deaths of 17-year-olds increased from 116 to 133.

For both ages combined there was a 19% increase in driver deaths.

The study did not report on causes of those driving deaths.

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