AT&T, one of the leading providers of telecommunications services, is urging drivers to take its “Never Text and Drive” pledge as part of a campaign to warn people about the serious dangers of texting while driving.
Statistics show that texting while driving puts the driver, his or her passengers, and all other motorists on the highway at risk for a serious crash. “Distracted driving is an epidemic on our roadways, and we need people all across America to take action in their communities to help put a stop to it," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2010 alone, more than 3,000 people were killed in distracted driving crashes in the United States. In addition, more than 100,000 crashes a year involve drivers who are texting, causing life-changing injuries and deaths. Texting drivers are 23 times more likely to be in an accident.
According to a report from MLive Media Group, more than 9,000 crashes involving cellphones took place in Michigan in the past decade.
AT&T’s “It Can Wait” Campaign
AT&T’s campaign, called “it can wait,” encourages drivers to text only after they have arrived at their destination. To support the message, AT&T offers a free cellphone app that automatically sends a customizable reply to incoming texts – much like an “out-of-office” alert – notifying the sender that the user is driving and unable to respond. A similar message can be set up for phone calls and emails.
Customers automatically take AT&T’s don’t-text-and-drive pledge when they download the app. On its website, AT&T presents the pledge as follows:
No text message, email, website or video is worth the risk of endangering my life or the lives of others on the road. I pledge to never text and drive and will take action to educate others about the dangers of texting while driving.
Young Drivers Most Likely to Text
Reporters from across Michigan reviewed state crash data and reported the following facts related to cellphone usage while driving:
- Young drivers on cellphones are far more likely to be involved in crashes than older drivers are. Half were in their 20s or younger, the analysis shows. Eighteen-year-olds were the worst.
- Older drivers are not blameless. Almost one-third of those using a cellphone at the time of the crash were in their 30s and 40s. The oldest was 97.
- Many crashes - even fatal ones - are not counted because phone use is not discovered until later. And the crashes appear to be getting worse, with drivers never seeing the object in their path. Or seeing it too late.
“Everyone is in love with their cellphone,” said Terrence Jungel, executive director of the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association, upon reviewing the report. “The car was designed and built for transportation, not travel and entertainment.”
Texting While Driving in Michigan is Against the Law
Our Bloomfield Hills car accident attorneys agree with law enforcement – driving is not the time to text your friends. In fact, it is against the law to text while driving in Michigan. The state of Michigan made texting while driving a primary traffic offense in 2010, meaning police can stop drivers specifically for the act. We encourage all Michigan drivers to follow the law, take the pledge and commit to staying focused when driving.
A Michigan Car Accident Attorney Can Help
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver in Michigan, you have a legal right to seek compensation. But you have limited time to file a lawsuit, so it’s important to contact a Michigan car accident lawyer without delay. We will handle the necessary paperwork to make sure you don’t miss important deadlines. If you have been injured in a car accident, we can help you obtain a fair settlement.
We respond promptly to telephone calls and report regularly on developments in your case. Call The Michigan Injury Lawyers at 866-577-7215, or contact us online. If there is no recovery in your case, there is no fee for our services.