Taylor High School Parent Promotes Distracted Driving Awareness

BUTLER, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Texting and driving–it may not seem like it, but it was an emotional subject for the Taylor County High School family today.

They celebrated the life and reflected on the death of one of its young graduates.

The teen’s mother, who vows to keep her hands off her phone and on the wheel, is encouraging others to do the same.

The fond memories rained down over the crowd at the Taylor High School Auditorium in Butler, in remembrance of a classmate, a student and a daughter.

19-year-old graduate Morgan Berryhill died in a head-on collision last May with another car whose driver didn’t have her attention fully on the road.

It’s easy to see why you might be distracted. From switching the radio to your favorite tune, to texting your friend to let them know you’re almost there–Morgan’s mother Tammy wants to warn you about all the distractions that can be very, very fatal.

“After Morgan died we really wanted to–me and my friends and the Taylor County School System to start a campaign just to promote awareness to let people know that texting or being distracted while driving kills,” said Berryhill. “And just to put a face on the statistics.”

And for the high schoolers, that face became real. Presentations from her mother as well as law enforcement officials told a story that seemed all too familiar.

“I hope that they just quit distracted driving because I know I do it all the time and it’s awful,” said Erin Scott, a student at TCHS.

“And because of us being such a small community it just really shook us up, and her mother really wanted to do this and we were just so glad myself and my gifted students were able to do this,” said Diana Madore, history teacher at TCHS.

So to help the message stick, Berryhill encouraged students to sign a written pledge saying they would not text and drive.

“I’m just thankful to have a platform to stand on to promote awareness and save someone else from this heartbreak.”

The entire high school attended the assembly and students signed a photo of Morgan that will hang at the school as a reminder to keep all eyes on the road while you’re driving.