BERRIOS AND AT&T ILLINOIS ASK TEEN DRIVERS TO NEVER TEXT AND DRIVE

April 17th, 2013   

CHICAGO, IL – State Representative Maria A. “Toni” Berrios (D-Chicago) and AT&T Illinois officials encouraged students yesterday at KelvynParkHigh School to take the pledge to never text and drive.

“I invited AT&T to KelvynParkHigh School to discuss the implications of texting and driving,” Berrios said. “I was glad that students were eager to contribute to this conversation.”

“The AT&T ‘It Can Wait’ campaign is raising awareness about the dangers of texting while driving, and provides support to change behaviors, especially among teen drivers,” said Sylvia Aldrete External Affairs Director, AT&T Illinois. “We’re challenging all drivers to take the pledge to never text and drive again.”

During the event, students and school officials learned more about the dangers of texting while driving and strategies to stop the practice, including a smartphone app called DriveMode that can automatically respond to texts, emails and calls  to let people know that you are driving and will get back to them when it is safe.

AT&T also highlighted a 10-minute documentary, called “The Last Text,” that shares powerful real life outcomes of texting while driving accidents.  In addition, AT&T offers an online texting while driving simulator to demonstrate the extreme dangers of texting while driving, with the safety of sitting at a computer.  To learn more, log on to itcanwaitsimulator.org

For more information, please call Rep. Berrios’ constituent services office at (773) 736-3939 or e-mail at repberrios39@gmail.com.

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