Most of us probably know that texting while driving is dangerous and illegal in the State of Maine, but lots of people have been caught breaking this law lately. It’s tempting, right? One text is all it takes. One second you’re perfectly fine and the next, you’ve sideswiped the car crossing the road in front of you.
This has become more common over the years and some people are starting to recognize that, like the telecommunications corporation, AT&T. AT&T has come up with “It Can Wait”, their newest campaign to stop texting and driving. Basically, whenever you’re texting someone and getting ready to drive, but you don’t want to end the conversation, type #X. This means that you aren’t done with the chat, you’re putting it on pause. This campaign was created in 2009 by Cathy Coughlin, AT&T’s global marketing officer, but is just recently becoming more popular.
When
asked if they had seen their parents text and drive within a week’s time, 15
out of 39 students answered “yes”. This means fifteen parents have been spotted
illegally texting and driving with their children in the car. The Maine law
states, “A person may not operate a motor vehicle while engaging in text
message.” It also declares that, “A person who violates this section commits a
traffic infraction for which a fine of not less than $250 may be adjudged.”
“A
person who violates this section after previously having been adjudicated as
violating this section within a 3-year period commits a traffic infraction for
which a fine of not less than $500 dollars may be adjudged.”
“The
fines are very high. It (the law) is publicized well and is an automatic
ticket,” Windham Police Officer Jeff Smith, currently a school resource officer
for Windham High School, said in a recent interview.
Officer
Matthew Cyr, a community services officer from Windham Police Department, gave
me his opinion on “It Can Wait.” He believes that the law on texting and
driving still needs much enforcing and is not just a teenage thing.
“Adults
and older siblings need to set examples,” Cyr proclaimed. “Texting and driving
is just as bad as drinking and driving.”
“I
have seen lots of incidents in Windham lately,” Smith admits. In 2013, over
3,000 crashes involving distracted driving were documented in the State of Maine.
That same year, 12 deaths occurred, also because of distracted driving. Drivers who are texting are 23 more times
likely to get in an accident than drivers who aren’t.
AT&T
made an app to go along with the “It Can Wait” program called AT&T
DriveMode. This app can be set up to automatically send a customized reply to
all incoming text messages, emails, and wireless calls when the car reaches a
speed of 25mph or more. If you go under
25mph for five minutes or more, the app will shut itself off and you can view
missed messages and calls. The purpose of the app is to make the roads safer,
which is why it will only let one music and or navigation app run at the same
time as the app does. To download the app, go on Google Play or AT&T app
center. If you do download the app, AT&T assumes you are pledging to “It
Can Wait” and will no longer text and drive.
To
find out more about #X and “It Can Wait”,
visit http://www.itcanwait.com/all. You can also learn about celebrities who
have pledged and learn how you can get involved in the campaign. Over 5,000,000
people have pledged.
There have been a few campaigns to stop texting and driving. Glad to see that AT&T has also come up with one. The average person has little knowledge about hazards of texting and driving. They also need experience in choosing quality representation. A practicing DUI attorney well versed in state DUI law could help them. My brother works as IT admin in a DUI lawyer office and he often tells me how DUI can change someone’s life.
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