September 19 is National Pledge Day to Not Text and Drive

By Cindy Denby

There have been many serious injuries and even deaths in our state caused by an unavoidable action- texting while driving. Despite it now being against the law, many Michigan residents still text while driving, putting their lives and the lives of other drivers on the road in danger.

To help put a stop to this dangerous habit, I'm joining with AT&T in taking the pledge to never text and drive. Drivers can go online and to sign the pledge and help raise awareness of the dangers of texting while driving. The National Safety Council estimates more than 100,000 crashes a year due to texting while driving more than 100,000 times a year.

AT&T is working to spread this campaign nationwide and encourages everyone to take the pledge and share it with friends and family to spread information about the dangers of texting while driving. It is also encouraging the use of new phone applications to communicate safely while driving, including in-car technologies which can read text messages aloud to the driver.

Sept. 19 will serve as a national pledge day for this initiative and I encourage everyone to take the no text pledge and tell their friends. No text is worth dying for, so all of us need to put down the phones and focus on the road. To take the pledge or get more information on this initiative, visit www.itcanwait.com today.

If you have any questions or need assistance with any state issues, please contact me toll free at 866-828-4863 or via e-mail at cindydenby@house.mi.gov.