Those who send text messages while driving are 23 times more likely to be in a crash. We are hearing more and more about accidents that are caused by distracted driving. This is why ATT is committed to putting an end to texting and driving.
Our goal is to save lives and make texting and driving as unacceptable as drinking and driving. - AT&T
Merry Dye, the mother of a teen who died in a texting accident the day before high school graduation, will host an AT&T-sponsored web chat this Friday, October 19, with students nationwide to discuss the dangers of texting while driving.
TEXTING TIPS:
• Be Smart. Don’t text and drive. No text message is worth a life.
• Be in control. Remember it’s your phone. You decide if and when to send and read texts so take control. Download AT&T DriveModeTM – an app designed to curb the urge to text and drive.*
• Be Caring. Don’t send a text when you know your family member, friend or co-worker is driving.
• Be Focused. Never use your phone to take pictures, send and read messages, record video, or watch TV while driving.
• Be an Example. A recent survey2 found that 77 percent of teens say adults tell them not to text and drive - yet do it themselves “all the time.” Still, 89 percent of those teens said their own parents are good role models in terms of not texting while driving, so please lead by example.
• Be Proactive. Take the pledge and commit to never text and drive: www.itcanwait.com.
• Be Aware. If you have teens, some wireless companies offer parents an easy way to manage their teen’s phone functionality, such as the time of day the phone can be used for messaging, Web browsing or outbound calling. However, 911 calls are always allowed and parents can also set up “allowed numbers” that the teens can call as parents or others deem appropriate.
It only takes a split second to find yourself in an accident. The message is simple, yet vital: When it comes to texting and driving, it can wait.
For more information, tips and tools, check out AT&T’s online resource dedicated to educating wireless users about the risks of texting and driving at It Can Wait.
Take the pledge here.
