PennDOT and the Southwest Regional Traffic Safety Network are working to increase young drivers' safety with a campaign against texting while driving.
It was brought to Greensburg Salem, Kiski Area, Greater Latrobe and Norwin high schools on Sept. 19.
The “It Can Wait” Pledge Drive Day is a nationwide campaign aimed at saving lives and educating the public to view texting and driving as unacceptable as drinking and driving.
“Motorists who text while driving are far more likely to be involved in crashes,” PennDOT District 12 Executive Joe Szczur said. “No text is worth losing a life, and that is a vital message to bring to drivers who are still establishing their driving skills.”
Participating schools received a kit including a poster for student pledge signatures, school announcements and a “TXT L8TR” display for the school.
A random drawing will select a participating school to receive five paid registrations to the upcoming statewide Students Against Drunk Driving Conference, courtesy of a grant provided by State Farm Insurance.
The campaign is sponsored by AT&T with support from the Federal Communications Commission, the National Organizations for Youth Safety, the National Safety Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Information on the dangers of distracted driving and Pennsylvania's anti-texting while driving law can be found on the “Distracted Driving” page of PennDOT's highway safety website, www.JustDrivePA.com.
