The world’s largest cellular carrier, AT&T has launched a campaign geared towards teens over the holidays leading up to New Year’s Eve to warn them about the dangers of texting while driving. Part of this campaign is with the release of this short emotional (albeit sentimental) anti-texting while driving documentary featuring several real life stories of teens who’ve suffered the consequences of texting while driving.
Here’s a part of the press release:
“Where u at.” Those three words made up the last text message Mariah West read before her car crashed into a bridge, ending her life. Approaching one of the most dangerous days on the road – New Year’s Eve – AT&T* today announced the release of a powerful new documentary featuring stories from individuals, including Mariah’s parents, whose lives have been altered by texting while driving.
The 10-minute piece will be distributed nationwide to schools, safety organizations, government agencies and more as part of AT&T’s “It Can Wait” campaign. Each of the eight individuals included in the full-length reel volunteered their stories to help AT&T educate wireless customers – particularly youth – on the risks of tapping away on their cell phones in the car. The documentary can be viewed online at no charge on AT&T’s “It Can Wait” website and on AT&T’s YouTube page.
“Distracted driving is an epidemic, particularly among teens who are confident in their ability to text or talk while driving,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Of the 5,500 people killed last year due to distracted driving, the largest proportion of fatalities occurred among young people under the age of 20. I hope teens will take this powerful video to heart and realize that when you’re behind the wheel, no text message or phone call is worth the risk.”
“This documentary is a raw look at the reality and hazards of texting while driving, and we hope it will make wireless customers think twice before pulling out their cell phones in the driver’s seat,” said Cathy Coughlin, senior executive vice president and global marketing officer for AT&T. “As a global telecommunications company, it is our responsibility to bring these risks to light, especially now during the holiday season and as we approach New Year’s Eve.”
The documentary is supported by CTIA – The Wireless Association, The National Safety Council (NSC), National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).
AT&T is working to distribute the video to numerous government agencies and safety organizations around the country, as well as to educators, students and policymakers to put real faces to the growing problem and spread the message.
It will also appear on the websites and communication channels such as newsletters and social media pages of NOYS (http://noys.org/), along with tens of thousands of schools affiliated with the organization.