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State Farm, AT&T launch programs to curb teen texting while driving

18.05.13

Txt n drive? omg</p><p>Teens already know it&#x92;s dangerous to text on their cellphones while driving. The trick is getting them to act on that knowledge.</p><p>Maybe the message to quit would stick if it came with a chance for teens to win a new car, land a $100,000 grant for their high school or see firsthand how texting impairs their driving.</p><p>Here comes that chance.</p><p>Area high schools are in the running for the big check as part of Celebrate My Drive, a campaign by the State Farm insurance company. The winner will be determined by student, parent and other votes at <a href ="http://www.celebratemydrive.com/" target="_blank">www.celebratemydrive.com</a> and in person today at Oak Park Mall.</p><p>One lucky area teenager will win a 2013 Chevrolet Sonic LS, plus $5,000.</p><p>Separately, AT&T has set Wednesday as the day for anyone to pledge to never text and drive as part of its ongoing It Can Wait campaign.</p><p>The mobile phone company also is bringing its text-while-driving simulator car back to the Kansas City area later this month, after a visit in May. </p><p>AT&T has an online simulator it takes around to schools and other groups. It will be at the Central Academy of Excellence in Kansas City on Wednesday for students to try.</p><p>Both companies seek to link behavior with the message to not text and drive.</p><p>&#x93;Everyone believes texting while driving is wrong, yet a high percentage of teens see their parents texting,&#x94; said Jim Camoriano, a spokesman for State Farm.</p><p>Teen texting behind the wheel of a car particularly remains a threat on America&#x92;s roadways, according to surveys both companies have done. </p><p>An AT&T survey this spring found that 43 percent of teens admitted they had texted while driving. Their behavior was reinforced by what they saw, as 41 percent said they had seen their parents read or send an email or text while driving.</p><p>The wireless phone company offers a free phone app called AT&T DriveMode. When activated, it silences incoming call and text notices and automatically replies that the user is driving and will respond when it is safe. </p><p>State Farm said its poll in July found 34 percent of teenage drivers admitted texting while driving &#x97; although 78 percent also said they had interrupted a friend who was about to do the same.</p><p>Most of the disrupted texters stopped.</p><p>&#x93;It was very promising to see so many teens voice their concerns about this issue and see that the drivers listened to them and took action,&#x94; said Chris Mullen, State Farm&#x92;s director of technology research.</p><p>Part of the teen driving mindset, however, is a powerful belief that they won&#x92;t be in a crash during their first year of driving, State Farm&#x92;s survey showed. More than half strongly disagreed that it would happen to them, though a driver&#x92;s first year is the most dangerous, the insurance company said.</p><p>State Farm&#x92;s campaign is aimed specifically at supporting its message against texting on the road among teenage drivers with a positive appeal &#x97; winning the car, the school grant or other stuff. </p><p>All high schools within 50 miles of Oak Park Mall are eligible &#x97; public, private or charter schools. Anyone can vote once a day for a favorite school online and from kiosks set up at the mall today. The winner will be chosen based on the vote totals and size of the schools.

Source: Kansas City Star