In September of $2012-$on the first day of her senior year of high school$-$a $17-$year$-$old girl from Minnesota lost her life. Her eyes were

focused on the text message she was composing to a friend and not on the stopped school bus directly in front of her car. That instant of

distraction cost the teenager her life. Smartphones are amazing devices that enable users to talk, text, and send e$-$mail, but they can

also be a safety threat. Each day, drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians are threatened by motorists who are distracted by their cell phones

while they are behind the wheel. However, the government and law enforcement have the capability to monitor and prevent this kind of

dangerous behavior. What is the solution to this problem? Americans must vote into law a countrywide ban on distracted$-$driving in order

to protect citizens on the roadways.

Which strategy does Belinda use in her introductory paragraph to gain the reader's interest?

She starts off with a brief, dramatic story.

She makes a personal confession.

She offers a surprising statistic.