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Texting and Driving..It Can Wait

It Can Wait Logo

You’re driving down the road when you hear the ping of your cellphone—it’s a text message.

According to the National Safety Council, texting while driving causes 1,600,000 accidents per year. That’s nearly 25% of all car accidents annually. Texting is responsible for an average of 11 teen deaths every single day .

Ping. Another text message. I hope now you’ll think twice before picking up your phone while driving.

It Can Wait

The good news is that over 2.5 million people have decided to take a stand against texting and driving, with the numbers growing daily. AT&T has launched a campaign known as It Can Wait whose goal is to save lives and make texting and driving as unacceptable as drinking and driving. To help turn this goal into reality, drivers are encouraged to take a No Texting and Driving Pledge, making a life-long commitment to never text and drive.

So how do you become a part of the solution? All drivers can take the pledge at www.itcanwait.com. The website provides individuals with resources share their commitment with others. You are also encouraged to share your promise and join the no-texting-and-driving movement through social media using the hashtag #itcanwait. It only takes a few seconds to pledge and help save lives.

Drive 4 Pledges Day

September 19 is Drive 4 Pledges Day. In an effort to further spread the word, supporters of the no-texting-while-driving movement are encouraged to reach out to their friends, families and communities and advocate the cause. Individuals as well as organizations are being asked to change their profile pictures to the It Can Wait graphic and share their pledge story using social media. Offline efforts will include nearly 2,000 Drive 4 Pledges activities raising awareness about the issue. The more people who know about the ills of texting and driving, the more will pledge to never text and drive. And that means safer roads.

If you are living in the Washington, D.C. area, head down to the Drive 4 Pledges rally and join the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS), their youth members and other It Can Wait advocates to show your support. The event will take place at Upper Senate Park on September 19 from 10:30am-Noon. You can register, free, for the event at www.eventbrite.com/event/7989024387

Join Together and Pledge

Organizations around the country like The Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe) are joining hands in support of the It Can Wait campaign. “iKeepSafe commends AT&T for its efforts to combat the dangerous and increasing activity of texting while driving,” said Marsali Hancock, President & CEO of iKeepSafe. “We strongly support the initiative and encourage others to join the movement and help raise awareness of the dangers of texting while driving.”

iKeepSafe, along with INOBTR (“I Know Better”) have teamed up to promote the “Cell Phone Smart” campaign which focuses on six principles of smart cell phone use for kids and teenagers. Learn more about your cell phone responsibilities to self, family and the law at http://archive.ikeepsafe.org/educators/cellphonesmart/.

Remember, “Each pledge made to never text while driving is a symbol of commitment to be part of a movement that helps everyone make safe choices with their wireless devices on the road.” (www.itcanwait.com)

No text is worth a life, so join over 2.5 million people who have already committed to no texting while driving. Be a part of the solution and pledge today at www.itcanwait.com. You can make a difference!

Please visit www.itcanwait.com!

photo(2)Ben Sirrine is a regular blogger for the Internet Keep Safe Coalition, an organization that gives parents, educators, and policymakers the information and tools that empower them to teach children the safe and healthy use of technology and the internet.

Categories: Cell Phone

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