Archive for November, 2010

 eCapitol News 

OK-Henry announces initiative to curtail texting while driving

(OK) In the middle of what Gov. Brad Henry has deemed “No Texting While Driving Week,” government and corporate officials announced Wednesday a new initiative to raise awareness about the risks of texting while driving.

During a gathering at the state Capitol, Henry – along with representatives from AT&T, AAA Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety and Oklahoma City Public Schools – announced the creation of the “Txtng and Drivng…It Can Wait” campaign in order to educate Oklahomans on the dangers of texting while driving.

“This is a critical effort,” Henry said. “I want to encourage all Oklahomans to take a pledge not to text and drive. We’re hoping to save lives.”

Henry reiterated his proven support of the anti-texting issue by referencing his executive order that prohibited public employees from texting while driving.

“Hopefully, Oklahomans will really start thinking about the dangers of texting while driving,” he said.

Bryan Gonterman, president of AT&T Oklahoma, said his organization will provide downloadable information about texting while driving on its website, including a parent-teen pledge, a teen-teen pledge, a poster, a brochure and safety tips.

The campaign will also feature public service advertisements that share stories and messages that were sent or received in the seconds before someone’s life was altered, or ended, because of texting while driving.

“We use radio, television and print media to get our message out,” he said.

Chuck Mai, communications officer for AAA Oklahoma, said the initiative is desperately needed, citing a Virginia Tech University study that found that one was 23 times more likely to be involved in an automobile collision if attempting to text while driving.

“Thirty states now have laws that ban texting while driving,” Mai said. “Oklahoma needs to join that list.”

A number of Oklahoma City Public School students attended the gathering and also signed the pledge to refrain from texting while driving.

Karl Springer, superintendent of Oklahoma City Public Schools, said it is vitally important that young students understand and communicate the message that texting while driving is unacceptable.

“The safety and security of our young people are so important,” he said. “We need to get this message out. Let’s make it a campaign where we communicate this to everybody.”

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