Drivers are called to join the "It Can Wait" movement today (Sept. 19) to end the dangerous habit of texting while driving.
Mayor Annise Parker today kicked off Mayors United Against Texting While Driving, a social media campaign challenging all Texans to take the pledge to not text and drive. In partnership with AT&T, Mayor Parker and the City of Houston launched the nation’s first citywide It Can Wait campaign last April. Mayors United Against Texting While Driving will expand what Houston started all across Texas.
The Mayors United Against Texting While Driving campaign will run in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio and El Paso September 19 through September 30, with each city vying to get as many citizens as they can pledging to never text while driving. Each city will have its own city-specific texting code. Houston residents can take the pledge by texting “ItcanwaitHou” to 464329.
AT&T’s campaign seeks to:
- Educate people about the dangers of texting while driving.
- Urge drivers to take the pledge and join the movement
- Encourage people to visit the www.ItCanWait.com website to stay informed and help spread the word via social media that when it comes to texting and driving – #ItCanWait
AT&T developed the "Texting and Driving: It Can Wait" simulator to show firsthand the dangers of texting behind the wheel – in a safe way!
"Texting while driving – especially among teens – has turned into a serious issue that has claimed lives across the nation," said Mayor Parker. "We can't stand by and let this fatal practice claim another life. This is why we have stood at the forefront of this movement and are joining forces with mayors across Texas to raise awareness about the dangers of texting while driving. I encourage every Texan to take the pledge to never text and drive.”
Mayors United Against Texting While Driving is being launched in association with the It Can Wait movement’s September 19 Drive 4 Pledges Day. Aspiring to create a social stigma around this fatal habit of texting while driving, Drive 4 Pledges Day focuses on getting individuals to take the pledge to never text and drive, while encouraging others in their community to do the same.
