Don't text, drive
Cellphones have come a long way since they first came on the market. Today, these devices provide a number of services that simplify and enhance our lives in ways previously unimaginable. With these new capabilities come new responsibilities.
In recent years, there has been a spike in the number of car crash-related injuries and fatalities specifically caused by texting while driving.
Wireless users who text while driving are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car crash, according to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.
The cold truth is texting-related accidents are preventable. By taking control of when and where we text, wireless users can help reduce the number of tragic accidents that result from texting while driving.
Pennsylvania has taken measures to help in the fight against texting and driving. Gov. Tom Corbett and the General Assembly worked hard to make Pennsylvania's no-texting law a reality.
AT&T was proud to join the governor as he signed the law and to remind all Pennsylvanians that no text message is worth putting lives at risk.
Considering that a recent statistic showed teens send five times more text messages than any other age group, these laws are intended to considerably reduce the number of texting-related car accidents.
While these laws can work to make the roads a safer place to be, as responsible citizens we need to take the extra step and raise awareness to ensure that everyone arrives to their destination safely.
The next time you get behind the wheel, keep in mind that it's up to you to be responsible and put your phone down - no text is worth dying for.
For more safety tips, please visit www.itcanwait.com and join the no-texting-while-driving movement #ItCanWait.
J. Michael Schweder
AT&T Mid-Atlantic President
Harrisburg
