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Teen's Program Fights Texting And Driving

WILMETTE, Ill. (CBS) - A north suburban teen has Illinois lawmakers onboard with a new campaign to stop people from texting while driving.

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Karina Kedo, 17, started "STATIC," which stands for "Stop Texting and Talking in Cars," after she was hit by a car driven by someone on a cell phone while riding her bicycle in Lake Forest.

Kedo is a high school senior at Regina Dominican in Wilmette. She has been raising money for her cause, and as received a donation from the Clifford Law Offices to buy two virtual driving simulators through the Lawrence Hall Youth Services program to show students the dangers of cell phone use while driving, according to the law office.

Kedo officially launched the "STATIC" campaign at a rally Tuesday, which was also attended by a representative for Gov. Pat Quinn, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, and State Rep. John D'Amico (D-Chicago), who is sponsoring anti-texting and driving legislation spurred by the campaign.

"Stories of fatal accicdnets involving teenagers dsitrastced by cell phones flooded the news, and I wanted to make new drivers like me aware of the serious consequences of this practice," Kedo said.

Upon finding that statistics revealed the consequences of texting or cell phone use while driving, they did not deter the practice, Kedo said.

"As a result, I came up with the idea of making driving simulators vaialble to students so they can experience the dangers of distraceted driving in a safe and effective manner," Kedo said.

All students in attendance at the event at Regina Dominican were encouraged to sign White's pledge not to text or talk on a cell phone while driving, the Clifford Law Offices said.

Quinn was also expected to declare this day "STATIC Day" in Illinois.

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