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11th Annual Williamson County Traffic Safety Days

The 11th annual Williamson County Traffic Safety Days comes to a close on Friday.

This year over 1400 drivers ed students from 30 area high schools attended the daylong event.

This week hundreds of drivers ed students took part in the Williamson County Safety Days.

The students explore 9 presentations on safe driving.

Event Cocreator Deputy Brian Murrah with the Williamson Co Sheriff says there’s still one big issue they want to stress to these beginning drivers.

“The biggest problem that we have is the cell phones, the distracted driving.”

This year the Illinois state police unveiled their new display called “Lacy’s last text”.

“The kids are seeing the impact of what could happen when you make a bad decision.”

16-year-old Lacy Hood from Benton lost control of the truck she was driving only a mile from home, ending in a fatal wreck.

“She was texting and driving and whatever she said couldn’t wait.”

Her father Jim reacquired the smashed and twisted remains of the truck, reattached the pieces that were cut off and mounted it to a trailer.

He gave possession of it to the IL state police to display at events across the state raising awareness about distracted driving.

“Jim’s idea was if I can save this and get this out into the public, that if it will save one life, that Lacy would have wanted that.

Bowlin says the impact was immediately noticeable in the future drivers, some came to tears after seeing the devastation the truck went through.

The event is paid through donations and provided free to the students and schools.

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