It Can Wait! Story

Let’s kick this off with some questions:  I (or a friend I ride with) sometimes text while driving  I (or a friend I ride with) sometimes look at my phone at a red light  I sometimes see my parents text and drive  I expect a response to a text within 5 minutes

You’re not alone: Texting and driving is a common behavior 43 % of teens text while driving 73% of teens look at their phones at a red light 77% see their parents text and drive 89% expect a response to a text within 5 minutes

BUT texting and driving is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS  Texting While Driving:  Makes you 23X more likely to crash – National Hwy Transportation Safety Admin.  Is the same as driving blind for 5 seconds at a time – VA. Tech Transportation  Takes place by 800,000 drivers at any given time across the country  Slows your brake reaction speed by 18%

 Texting While Driving Causes:  1,600,000 accidents per year – National Safety Council  11 teen deaths EVERY DAY – Ins. Institute for Hwy Safety Fatality Facts  Nearly 25% of ALL car accidents  Leads to a 400% increase with eyes off the road  Texting While Driving Is:  About 6 times more likely to cause an accident than driving intoxicated  The same as driving after 4 beers – National Hwy Transportation Safety Admin.  The number one driving distraction reported by teen drivers

It Can Wait  Documentary Documentary

So, what can You do to help? Start by changing YOUR behavior behind the wheel… and PASS it on! #X

 Use #X before you drive to pause the conversation  SPEAK UP! If you see a friend or family member texting and driving, tell them it’s not ok and ask them to stop--- 9 out of 10 people would stop texting if a passenger asked them to!  Assign a “designated texter”  Out of sight out of mind---- put your phone away!

From the eyes of your phone

Sign the Pledge! VW commercial