Mobile Carriers Join War Against Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is deadly , and texting while behind the wheel is one of the most dangerous examples of distracted driving. It increases the likelihood of being involved in a fatal car crash 23 times, according to a recent press release from the It Can Wait campaign against texting and driving.

Distracted driving is a problem all over the country and has caused tremendous suffering for South Carolina car accident victims.

The “It Can Wait” campaign

AT&T started the It Can Wait campaign to increase awareness about the dangers of texting and driving, and to build the same kind of social pressure to prevent distracted driving that has helped to curb drunk driving .

The telecommunications company has provided outreach to schools and worked with communities to get the word out that it’s not OK to text and drive.

“Texting while driving is a deadly habit,” AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson said in a statement. “Awareness of the dangers of texting and driving has increased, but people are still doing it. With this expanded effort, we hope to change behavior. Together, we can help save lives.”

Other carriers join the fight

This spring, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile committed to the It Can Wait campaign as well. Their support has provided funding for television advertising and community outreach efforts directed at teen drivers.

The goal was to create awareness among young drivers during what is known as the 100 Deadliest Days on the road for teenage drivers, who are more likely to be involved in car accidents between Memorial and Labor Day.

“Mobile technology connects us in many cool ways, but adults and teens need to put it on hold while behind the wheel,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. “Knowing the risks is not enough. By simply putting the phone down, thousands of tragedies can be prevented every year. It’s time to end texting while driving – for good.”

Apps and other approaches

In addition to joining the It Can Wait campaign, mobile carriers have tried to come up with other innovative ways to keep customers off their phones while on the road. Many have introduced apps that customers can download to help them resist the temptation. Sprint’s Focus on Driving App sends incoming calls straight to voicemail and silences email and text alerts once the car travels over 10 miles per hour.

If you were hurt

If you have been injured in a car accident involving a distracted driver , you should talk with an attorney about your case before accepting any settlement offers from the other driver’s insurance company. Car accident injuries could stay with you throughout your life, and you want to make sure your recover the financial damages you need to manage your injuries in the future. George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers has over 39 years of experience handling auto accident cases in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Walterboro, and the entire state of South Carolina. We can meet you anytime, anywhere to discuss the details of your accident and your options for filing a claim.