PSA featuring Wil’s story for the AT&T “It Can Wait” no texting and driving campaign
We’ve all seen the above PSA (Public Service Announcement) air on TV. I find it appropriately haunting because this could easily be any one of us if we continue to text and drive.
(UPDATE: Wil Craig’s story is no longer posted on AT&T’s “It Can Wait” Campaign. The “Don’t Text While Driving” documentary produced by AT&T is posted below instead for viewing.)
“Circling around for parking spot. Also, stopped for gas. Should be there shortly.” That was the last text I made while driving in my car. Technically, I was at a stoplight so I figured, in a way, it was safer than if the car were in motion, but it isn’t. While I’m texting, I’m not looking for pedestrians or cyclists or other cars and forfeit my ability to react at all if an accident, caused by me or others, were to happen.
AT&T’s “It Can Wait” public awareness campaign is working hard to reach people like myself to pledge never to text and drive. They’ve been on the road with the American Idol LIVE! 2012 nationwide tour, showcasing season 11’s top 10 finalists, spreading the word about the risks of texting and driving and having concert fans participate in a texting and driving simulation. On September 11, 2012, the American Idol LIVE! tour will in my town of Milwaukee along with the “It Can Wait” campaign. Join me by testing out the simulator at Bradley Center. Also, take the pledge not to text and drive via ItCanWait.org or via the Facebook app because as the campaign states “no text is worth dying for.” Then, proclaim to the universe via Twitter by using the hashtag #ItCanWait and adding an “#ItCanWait” twibbon to your profile picture.
To help us all stay committed to not texting and driving, AT&T has released a smartphone app called AT&T DriveMode “designed to help you curb the urge to text and drive by allowing you to temporarily disable some of the features of your mobile device so you stay focused on the road.”
Need more convincing? Check out these statistics from a recent AT&T “It Can Wait Campaign” survey of 1200 teens:
VIDEO: Texting While Driving – AT&T Teen Driving Survey
(click here to view directly on YouTube)
- 97% of teens admitted they know texting and driving is dangerous
- 75% of teens admitted that texting and driving is common among their friends
- 89% of teens expected a reply to their text within five minutes or less
- 77% of teens had parents who also text and drive
Randall Stephenson, Chairman and CEO of AT&T says, “Texting and driving should be as unacceptable as drinking and driving.”
Even “American Idol” season 11 finalists have gotten on board with “It Can Wait” and have taken the pledge. Check out the video “American Idol” season 11 winner Phillip Phillips and other finalists now on tour who have also joined in support of this vitally important campaign.
VIDEO: American Idol Season 11 Finalists Encourage Teens to Stop Texting and Driving
(UPDATE: video no longer available)
I can’t wait until the “American Idol” concert tomorrow and am thankful to be attending thanks to the AT&T “It Can Wait” campaign. Remember, “no text is worth dying for.” Stay tuned for a follow up blog post about the concert and “It Can Wait.”
Related Links
- Ifelicious®- Hundreds pledge not to text and drive at ‘American Idol’ concert in Milwaukee
- Mashable– AT&T’s ‘It Can Wait’ campaign attempts to curb texting while driving
- Huffington Post– Support It Can Wait: No texting while driving
- Digital Dads– AT&T’s ‘It Can Wait’ Campaign
- The Mommyhood Chronicles– Did you join the pledge to not text and drive? #Itcanwait
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