Previous Story
Texting And Social Media are fun! But Trust Me It Can Wait…
Special thanks to AT&T for sponsoring this post and giving us a chance to speak about the “It Can Wait” campaign. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Smartphones have become a major part of the fabric of our society. In fact texting, social media, etc have changes the way we handle our daily communication. There was a time that online dating was taboo and texting was only for quick messages, but now we carry on full lives online and full conversations through text and social media. With this shift in society there’s a need for a shift in how we use our cellphones and technology more responsibly. That’s why I was more than happy to discuss the “It Can Wait” campaign with you all. 6 years ago AT&T launched the It Can Wait campaign and they have been making a huge impact ever since. Since then, they have helped grow awareness of the dangers of smartphone distracted driving to more than 90% of audiences surveyed. That’s a huge deal!
Why is this so important to me? Over the past few years I’ve lost a lot of close friends and family members. Sadly, on of those people died in a car accident while he was texting. There was a time that we were only afraid of drunk drivers on the road. However, people talking on the phone or texting/using social media can be just as dangerous. Often times we’re at a light and have that feeling of compulsion to check our messages or do a snap. The fact is most of these messages and social media updates just aren’t that important… bottom line “It Can Wait“. As someone who works in an industry that requires me to update a lot, I thought it was important to take the pledge. While AT&T continues to do their part in collaborating with data scientists on research that shows how statewide anti-texting laws impact the rate of texting while driving, I just want to help do my part.
By the end of 2016, we’re striving to reach 16 million pledges. You can help with that goal! Let’s grow awareness about the problems of distracted driving and reach 16 million pledges in 2016. And hey, with 2017 right around the corner, it’s a great habit to start now and continue for the rest of your life. We have to be the examples for our upcoming youth so that they’re on the road with great habits.
Join Me From December 14th to January 3rd
as I take the 21-Day “It Can Wait” Challenge!
Just because the challenge is only 21 days doesn’t mean the work stops there. In fact, 21 days is just enough to help you build a great habit naturally. So how do you get started?
Step 1: Get the AT&T DriveMode App
– Apple
The AT&T DriveMode is a free, safe driving app that helps prevent distractions while driving by silencing incoming alerts. The app activates when speed reaches 15 MPH and deactivates when speed drops below 15 MPH for 2-3 minutes. It’s also great for getting Parental Alerts that send an SMS to the parent if the app is turned off or if auto-mode is disabled. And I love the Auto-reply responses to SMS and MMS messages with a personalized safe driving message. The app has a ton of great features for you to check out.
Step 2: Take the Pledge
There’s so much power in taking the pledge. Studies have shown that 4/10 people asked a friend or family member to not use their smartphone while driving after taking the pledge.Nearly 1/3 asked a driver to not use their smartphone while driving when riding as a passenger. And last but not least, nearly 4/10 asked a passenger to operate their smartphone while they are driving. (source)
Those numbers can make a difference for your own personal safety and the safety of all our loved ones on the road. I imagine being able to advise my friend about not texting while he was driving… Maybe he would be alive today.
I’ll be keeping you all updated on my 21-Day Challenge via our social channels Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using #ItCanWait. Be sure to follow along!
This is a sponsored blog post and I was compensated by AT&T. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
