About 30 Johnston County teenagers spent Tuesday evening learning how to drive safely.

Many of the students who attended the workshop "Alive at 25" at Smithfield Town Hall know someone who died in a car crash.

Twenty-seven teens died in crashes in Johnston County in the past three years.

Students at the workshop talked about why people get into crashes, including talking on cell phones, text messaging, or playing with the radio while driving.

Then they learned how to avoid crashes: by getting off the road to talk on the phone, following the speed limit, wearing seat belts, and not drinking and driving.

About 100 Johnston County students have taken the course so far. Smithfield plans two more classes, on Dec. 9 and Jan. 13.

Related Links

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2. Related Story: Johnston County Schools Fighting Teen Driving Deaths