It Can Wait
Texting and driving in El Paso, Texas is against the law. That doesn’t mean people obey the laws. Everyday I see so many people talking and texting on their phones like it’s no big deal. It is a huge problem. Many people have smart phones now and are multi-tasking on them like never before.
AT&T is calling on the nation’s drivers to pledge to never text and drive. Their goal is to save lives.
AT&T’s “It Can Wait” public awareness campaign is focused on a simple, powerful message: No text is worth dying for.
- The campaign starts as students head back to school, and focuses on Sept. 19, when everyone is urged to make a lifelong commitment to never text and drive.
· We’d like to see texting and driving become as unacceptable as drinking and driving.
· We’re spending tens of millions of dollars on the campaign in 2012 and making it an ongoing commitment in future years.
· The campaign is comprised of several key initiatives, including:
o Working with TV and music celebrities to drive the message via TV ads, concerts, public appearances and social media.
o Challenging device makers and app developers to have all devices include a pre-loaded, no-text-and-drive technology solution as soon as possible.
o Asking more than 1,000 of AT&T’s strategic and other major suppliers to encourage their employees to pledge not to text and drive.
o Enlisting law enforcement, educators, national retailers, consumer safety groups, legislators and the entire wireless industry to join the no-text-and-drive movement.
AT&T is also launching an in-car simulator at www.itcanwait.com so that all of us with internet access can experience the dangers of texting while driving.
You need to put your phone completely away to keep you distracted. I know if I had my phone right next to me and I hear that ringtone, I would be intrigued to see what sort of notification it is. If I were to put it away in my purse in the backseat, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t hear it.
There is a new app called “DriveMode”. It’s free for AT&T customers. There will be more devices added soon. It was conceived by an employee whose life was affected by texting while driving. When enabled, the app sends a customizable auto-reply message to incoming texts letting them know that you are driving and will reply to them when it is safe. I really love how simple and efficient this is. But it is up to you to be responsible and safe.
A survey commissioned indicates that while 97 percent of teens know texting while driving is dangerous, 43 percent of them admit to sending a text while driving — and 75 percent say the practice is common among their friends. That is surprising but not shocking to me.
Sept. 19th is No Text On Board Pledge Day. I will be pledging to not text and drive. I actually already have. AT&T is encouraging their 240,000 employees to take the pledge and urging all people to join them. Go to www.itcanwait.com to take the pledge. I really hope you will join me! No text is worth it.
To bring attention to this issue, AT&T produced a 10-minute documentary titled “The Last Text,” featuring stories of real individuals whose lives have been adversely affected by texting behind the wheel. We are grateful and humbled by the bravery of the people who agreed to be on camera for the documentary. Watch the documentary and other “It Can Wait” videos below.
Dangers of Texting While Driving PSA – Accident Stories AT&T
*I teamed up with AT&T to inform you of this important topic. I was not compensated.*
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Such an important message– thanks for sharing. I know I need to be better about this, and will be sure to make this pledge.
Thanks so much! We all do and the taking the pledge helps!
Thank You for sharing! I never know what to do when I am in the car with someone and they are texting and driving.
Suggesting the app or texting for them is a good start. You shouldn’t have to feel embarrassed for speaking up.
Texting and driving is really scary! I recently was out for a run, stopped at a stoplight. I lost count of how many people I saw texting that drove by me while I waited for the light to change. I’m sure they didn’t even see me standing there. Thanks for spreading the word!
I have seen that so much too. Even on the small streets where there are no traffic lights, which is even more dangerous.
I think this is an awesome campaign. I have to admit I am guilty of keeping the phone by me. I usually call the person that sends me a text to let them know I am driving and not ignoring them. I am going to check into the drive mode app for sure. Thanks for the info
TIME OUT! You’re from El Paso?! How did I not know this?! I’m in Virginia but one of my best best friends is from El Paso! He just moved to Dallas, but all of his family is still in El Paso. Crazy!
Ha ha! Small world. And I’m sure he understands how difficult it can be to live a healthy life here.