If you’re a regular reader of my site, you know that a cause I’m passionate about is ending texting and driving. It’s a topic that I write about often, a behavior I model when I’m in the car for my own two children, and am not hesitant to tell others about why they need to stop texting and driving now.
I like to think that my one voice is powerful but on a day like today, it becomes even more powerful today- Thursday, September 19- on Drive 4 Pledges Day, a day where the voices and actions of many will make an impactful difference as we get others to pledge to never text and drive as part of the It Can Wait campaign.
This nationwide movement is huge and I invite you to join in. Here in Washington, D.C. AT&T along with Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile will be joining the National Organization for Youth Safety (NOYS) at a rally on Capitol Hill to kick off Drive 4 Pledges Day. The rally will be at Upper Senate Park from 10:30 – 1 p.m. and features a star-studded line-up, including Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman and actress/singer/rapper/dancer Coco Jones along with government officials, such as Hon. Victor Menendez, administrator of the Federal Highway Administration.
On a local level, I’ll be hosting a luncheon at our local elementary school to get the word out about the dangers of texting and driving to 80 teachers, administrators, and support staff because no one is more influential than our teachers. Not only do they have the power to educate our children but they will spread the word to colleagues outside the building, family members, friends, and others in their community.
While the teachers may be excited about catered lunch from Panera and the great giveaways provided by AT&T, I’m excited about what I can teach them about this important topic as we watch part of the “From One Second to the Next” documentary directed by Werner Herzog and they have the opportunity to experience a drive simulator that will show them what happens when their attention is diverted from the wheel to a text on their phone.
How can you get involved? Here are 4 easy things you can do:
- Take the pledge to never text and drive by visiting ItCanWait.com.
- Share your message socially and tag it #ItCanWait.
- Go online and watch the “From One Second to the Next” documentary.
- Talk to your kids who own smartphones about how it’s never ok to text and drive. Model proper phone behavior for them when you’re in the car together and even if they’re not driving yet, they’ll be able to comprehend the magnitude of the consequences of texting and driving when using the free online It Can Wait simulator.
What else is happening around the country? Take a look at the events planned for today and join in on your social channels using #ItCanWait.
- Nearly 2,000 Drive 4 Pledges activities will be held in communities across the nation, including more than 1,500 at high schools. Additionally, 200+ proclamations will be issued.
- #ItCanWait tweets and Instagram posts will stream on ItCanWait.com.
- Goodyear blimps will display the message It Can Wait in the skies over Miami and Los Angeles.
- The It Can Wait message will be promoted across key sporting events at games and via social media. Several Major League Baseball teams will drum up support for It Can Wait by reaching out to fans during games urging them to take the pledge. Participating clubs include the Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and the Washington Nationals. NFL players will tweet their support of Drive 4 Pledges Day with their friends and fans and teams such as the Carolina Panthers will rally around the cause as well. NHL and NBA teams like the Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls and the San Antonio Spurs will also be supporting the cause.
It’s going to be an amazing day. Lend your voice to this important movement to put an end to texting and driving.
This post is part of a sponsored series by AT&T but I’d be sharing this information as a public service even without compensation. All opinions are my own.
