Editor's Note: The following was taken from a Hennepin County Sheriff's Office e-newsletter.
A new survey indicates that while 97 percent of teens know texting while driving is dangerous, 43 percent of them admit to sending a text while driving – and 75 percent say the practice is common among their friends.The survey found that teenagers feel pressure to quickly respond to text messages – and adults are also setting a poor example by texting while driving themselves.
Make a New Year's resolution in 2013 that could save your life or prevent a crash. Take a pledge NOT to text and drive and ask your family members to do the same. Remember, it is illegal to text and drive in Minnesota.
Create a new habit: Put your phone in the glove box as soon as you enter your vehicle. You won't be tempted to use it and you can focus on your responsibility to drive safely.
Curb the Urge: If you know someone is driving -- don't send them a text and don't call them. Utilize apps like AT&T DriveModeTM that provides a customizable auto-reply message to incoming SMS or MMS messages, notifying the sender that the user is driving and cannot respond.
Make it a Family Affair: Hold a family discussion to emphasize the dangers of texting while driving. Educate yourself and your child about the ramifications of texting while driving by utilizing the resources available at www.itcanwait.com, including educational brochures, posters and safety tips.
Hammer Home the Message: Show your children “The Last Text” – an AT&T documentary that features stories of real victims whose lives were altered – or even ended – by texting behind the wheel. The video campaign is also available at www.itcanwait.com
Source: AT&T's "It can wait" campaign. The campaign has partnered with the Sheriff's Office on distracted driving prevention.
I also decided to do something about distracted driving after my three year old daughter was nearly run down right in front of me by a texting driver. Instead of a shackle that locks down phones and alienates the user (especially teens) I built a tool for teens and their parents called OTTER that is a simple, GPS based, texting auto reply app for smartphones. It also silences call ringtones while driving unless you have a bluetooth enabled. I think if we can empower the individual then change will come to our highways now and not just our laws. Erik Wood, owner OTTER app do one thing well... be great.