With recent studies showing that distracted driving has surpassed drinking and driving as the leading cause of death for teenagers behind the wheel, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin continued his efforts to educate Rhode Islanders about the dangers of distracted driving with a visit to Toll Gate High School to kick off the "It Can Wait" program for the 2014-2015 school year.
Kilmartin was joined by Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian and "It Can Wait" partners the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, the Rhode Island State Police and AT&T.
"It Can Wait" is an interactive and educational program that includes a driving simulator to show how distracting and dangerous texting and using a cell phone is while driving, a compelling documentary featuring real stories from people whose lives were forever impacted by distracted driving, and a pledge for students and teachers to sign promising to never text and drive. Since the program launched in 2012, Attorney General Kilmartin and partners have made 41 school visits.
"Although we are in our third year visiting high schools across the state, where nearly 15,000 students have taken a pledge to never text while driving through our 'It Can Wait' campaign, distracted driving continues to be the leading killer of young drivers nationwide," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "With a new group of young people getting their licenses each year, we have our work cut out for us before we end the bad habit of texting, tweeting or posting while driving. Schools ask us back year after year because they recognize that this program is truly making a difference to change young drivers' attitudes about texting while driving. You can see it on the faces of the young students as the lights come up after watching the powerful documentary."
Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian said, "Since the inception of the 'It Can Wait' campaign in our state two years ago, more than 2,000 Warwick students have signed the pledge to never text while driving. I am very proud of our young people's commitment to this effort. Our youth are our future. That's why it is imperative that we continue to work together to ensure their safety by heightening awareness to the dangers of texting and driving."
Rhode Island State Police Colonel and Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety Steven G. O'Donnell added, "Distracted Drivers are a serious problem on our roadways. As the enforcement arm of this campaign, we are pleased to join Attorney General Kilmartin, DOT and educators to get the message out to our most vulnerable population, DON'T TEXT and DRIVE!"
According to a recent report by the Governors Highway Safety Association , teens represent the largest proportion of drivers who are distracted at the time of a fatal crash.
"For the past two years, we have joined our partners to reach out to local students and share the dangers of texting and driving," said RIDOT Director Lewis. "Our young people need to be armed with the facts: as a minor, it is illegal to use a cell phone while driving – but more importantly, it can kill you – or someone you love. Drive now, text later."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, • in 2012, there were 3,328 people killed and an estimated additional 421,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers, and
• ten percent of all drivers 15 to 19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes.
Additionally, recent data has shown that • texting while driving has surpassed drinking and driving as the leading cause of death for teenagers behind the wheel, and
• an estimated 3,000 teens are killed every year due to texting while driving, while approximately 2,800 are killed by drunk driving.
Throughout the school year, AG Kilmartin and RIDOT will bring the public awareness campaign to area high schools. Interested parties are encouraged to follow the lead of Toll Gate High School and bring the "It Can Wait" program to their high school. Those interested should contact the Office of Attorney General at (401) 274-4400 ext 2007; more information is also available online at www.riag.ri.gov/itcanwait.php.
AT&T first began its "It Can Wait" campaign discouraging texting and driving in 2009, and the campaign is making a difference: one in three people who have seen the texting while driving documentary say they have changed their driving habits, the campaign has inspired more than 5 million pledges never to text and drive, and its "From One Second to the Next" documentary has received nearly 3 million views.
"We're thrilled to continue our partnership with Attorney General Kilmartin and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to raise awareness of the dangers of texting and driving," said Patricia Jacobs, President, AT&T New England. "Rhode Island continues to be a leader in the effort to combat distracted driving, and we hope that our efforts this year will result in thousands more teen drivers – and their parents – pledging to never text and drive."
To take the pledge and find additional information on AT&T's "It Can Wait" campaign, please visit www.att.com/itcanwait.