Pennsylvania Bans Texting and Driving, and That Makes Me Very happy!

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This is a great day indeed! I live in Pittsburgh PA, and thanks to SB 314 Texting and Driving is now against the law! I am so happy, I’m sick of seeing these morons driving and texting and swerving while doing it. I hate them, and now it’s against the law and they can be punished for being stupid! Yes I feel strongly about it, I hate it. I’ve been driving with my kids in the car and have had to literally swerve to avoid accidents because some moron was texting and driving and not watching the road. I’m not one to applaud the government, but today they can get three cheers from me!

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– J. Michael Schweder, president, AT&T Pennsylvania, today applauded Gov. Tom Corbett and the Pennsylvania legislature for enacting SB 314, legislation that bans texting while driving on Pennsylvania roads.

Corbett signed the bill during an event at an AT&T* retail store in Camp Hill. Schweder also highlighted AT&T’s ongoing commitment to raising awareness about the dangers of texting and driving though an initiative known as "Texting and Driving…It Can Wait," which Gov. Corbett cited during the bill-signing ceremony.

"Gov. Corbett and the General Assembly worked hard over the past year to make this new law a reality," Schweder said. "We’re thrilled to join him today as he signs this historic measure and to remind all Pennsylvanians that no text message is worth putting lives at risk."

Schweder said that according to a new study by the Texas Transportation Institute, when drivers read or send a text message, their reaction time is doubled. When asked to respond to a flashing light while texting behind the wheel, drivers were more than 11 times more likely to miss the light altogether(1). 

In an effort to help address the problem of texting and driving, AT&T in 2009 launched its "It Can Wait"campaign that aims to deter texting while driving.  Since the campaign was launched, AT&T has:

  • Developed "The Last Text," a powerful 10-minute documentary featuring real stories where lives have been drastically altered – or even ended – because of texting while driving;
  • Launched AT&T DriveMode – a free mobile app that, when enabled, sends a customizable auto-reply message to incoming texts and emails, notifying the sender that the user is driving and will respond when it is safe. The app also provides option to send calls directly to voicemail;**
  • Designed an anti-texting-while-driving pledge for its Facebook, Friends & Family and employee pages;
  • Created a resource center – www.att.com/textingcanwait – offering downloadable educational resources for the public;
  • Revised its wireless and motor vehicle policies to prohibit texting and driving;
  • Incorporated a don’t-text-and-drive message on the protective clings for devices sold in AT&T retail stores;
  • Integrated campaign messaging in AT&T catalogs, signage, bills, emails and newsletters and at AT&T-sponsored events; and much, much more.

For more information on AT&T’s "It Can Wait" campaign, please visit: www.att.com/textingcanwait .

(1) Texas Transportation Institute: http://tti.tamu.edu/group/cts/texting-and-driving/

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

** Data and text messaging charges may apply for download and app usage. Standard messaging rates apply to auto-reply messages.  AT&T DriveMode is free to AT&T customers only. Compatible device required.