First Stop on Statewide Awareness Campaign is Exeter-West Greenwich High School
With recent studies showing that seven in 10 people are still using their smartphones while at the wheel and a startling number of drivers snap selfies or video chat, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin kicked off the "It Can Wait" campaign at Exeter West Greenwich High School this morning to educate teen drivers on the dangers and consequences of distracted driving.
Now in its fourth year, Attorney General Kilmartin is once again joining partners the Rhode Island State Police (RISP), the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), and AT&T to bring the "It Can Wait" campaign to schools throughout Rhode Island.
"When we began this program four years ago, our focus was primarily on texting while driving. However, as technology has evolved, so has smartphone usage," said Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin. "People are not just texting behind the wheel they are taking selfies, checking email, and, perhaps most shocking, even viewing and recording videos. The good news is that peer influence can have a tremendous impact on drivers' behavior, which is why it's critical to teach young drivers the message that no post, message, email, or photo is worth a life It Can Wait."
According to a data recently released by AT&T[1], 62 percent of drivers keep their smartphones within easy reach while driving. Nearly four in 10 smartphone users tap into social media while driving, almost three in 10 surf the net, and one in 10 even video chat while driving.
Smartphone activities people admitted to doing while driving include: Text (61%) Email (33%) Surf the net (28%) Facebook (27%) Snap a selfie/photo (17%) Twitter (14%) Instagram (14%) Shoot a video (12%) Snapchat (11%) Video chat (10%)
However, data also reveals that peer influence plays a large role in driver behavior. Most people (about 75%) have almost all or most of their texts, social media interactions, and emails with just five people. The research also showed that people and their "top five" have a lot of influence over each other: More than eight in 10 people said they would likely stop or reduce their smartphone use while driving if one or more of their "top five" contacts asked them to, and Nearly 85% would be likely to stop sending smartphone communications to their "top five" when they know they're driving. Rhode Island State Police Colonel and Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety Steven G. O'Donnell said, "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!"
"Driving a car is second nature to most of us today, but texting while driving is an alarming habit that is facing not only our children but our generation as well," RIDOT Director Peter Alviti Jr. said. "That's why we're pleased to once again join the It Can Wait campaign to help get the message out about the dangers of distracted driving."
"We're thrilled to continue our partnership with Attorney General Kilmartin and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, and to expand our campaign to raising awareness of all forms of distracted driving, whether that be texting, video chatting, taking selfies or any behavior that takes your eyes off the road, " 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 drive safely."
Throughout the school year, Attorney General Kilmartin will continue to bring the "It Can Wait" campaign to area high schools. Interested schools are encouraged to follow the lead of Exeter-West Greenwich High School and bring the program to their school. For more information, contact the Office of Attorney General at (401) 274-4400 ext 2007 or visit www.riag.ri.gov. To take the pledge, please visit www.att.com/itcanwait.