Hundreds of Banning High students signed pledges Thursday to refrain from texting and driving during an AT&T promotion called "IT CAN WAIT," according to an AT&T representative.
Texting while driving contributes to teen deaths, injuries, and more than a million avoidable accidents a year nationwide, according to www.textinganddrivingsafety.com.
Based on analysis of police-reported data from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 3,331 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes that involved distracted driving in 2011, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The AT&T 'It Can Wait' initiative focuses on educating people - especially teens - about the dangers of texting and driving.
"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," an AT&T announcement states.
"Teenagers on average text five times more a day than a typical adult. That's a lot of texting! Drivers that text while driving are much more likely to be in a crash. So AT & T is partnering with teens to get the word out about the serious effect texting and driving could have on their friends, their loved ones, and their future."
Figueroa shared email and photos with news media fter the Banning High School event:
"We had over 600 signed pledges that the students took and the line for the simulator was non-stop," Banning High Class of 1994 grad Julio Figueroa, representing AT&T, told Assistant Principal Matt Valdivia.
"See you tonight for the tailgate and tomorrow's Banning vs. Beaumont football game," Figueroa said in an email Thursday afternoon. "We look forward to providing more information on the 'IT CAN WAIT' campaign to the community and allow more students to do the simulator."
For more info visit www.itcanwait.com.
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