Dangers of Text Messaging and Driving

Overview

A resource for all wireless users on the dangers of texting while driving.

Take out your wireless device. Read the last text message you sent or received aloud. Would reading or responding to that text message from behind the wheel be worth the risk of getting into a car accident or worse? The reality is that no message is so urgent that it is worth diverting attention from the wheel and risking lives in the process.

In today's digital age, teens and adults alike are staying connected by texting. For many, the allure of quickly reading and responding while driving can be tempting. According to the AT&T Teen Driver Survey, almost 90 percent of teens expect a reply to a text or email within five minutes or less. This becomes dangerous when the habit hits the road because drivers that text while driving are 23 times more likely to be in a crash according to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.

Our goal is to educate all wireless users, especially teen drivers, on the risks of texting while driving.

Our message is simple, yet vital: When it comes to texting and driving, it can wait. We hope you find the tools we have developed helpful in making our roads safer.

Resources

Related News

• 43% of Teens Say they Text & Drive; 77% Say Adults Warn Against Risks; but Text & Drive 'All the Time'
  Dallas, Texas, May 14, 2012
  

• Teen-Led, Teen-Focused State Summit Educates Peers on Dangers of Texting While Driving
  Wisconsin Dells , Wisconsin, April 24, 2012
  

• Causes.com and AT&T Launch New Social Engagement Platform to Encourage Activism
  Dallas, Texas, December 15, 2011
  

• AT&T Applauds Gov. Corbett, PA Legislature on New Law to Ban Texting While Driving
  Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, November 9, 2011
  

• Teen-Led, Teen-Focused Anti-Texting-and-Driving Summit Assembles in D.C.
  Washington, District of Columbia, October 17, 2011
  

• AT&T Announces $1M Commitment in the Fight Against Texting While Driving
  Dallas, Texas, May 11 2011
• Derrick Rose Teams Up with AT&T to Warn Illinois Teen Drivers About the Dangers of Texting and Driving
  Chicago, Illinois, March 23 2011
• AT&T Offers Wireless, Wireline Billing Relief for Consumers Calling and Texting Family, Friends in Japan
  Dallas, Texas, March 14 2011
• As New Year's Eve Approaches, AT&T Aims to Reach Millions with Powerful Anti-Texting While Driving Message
  Dallas, Texas, December 27, 2010
• AT&T Awards $250,000 to Safety Organizations During National Youth Traffic Safety Month
  Dallas, Texas, May 20, 2010
• AT&T Txtng & Drivng Campaign Urges Consumers That 'It Can Wait'
  Dallas, Texas, March 8, 2010
• AT&T Launches Campaign To Educate Wireless Customers On Risks Of Texting While Driving
  Dallas, Texas, September 29, 2009
• AT&T Offers Tips to Help Consumers Avoid Falling Victim to Text Messaging Scam
  Des Moines, Iowa, April 16, 2009

View Additional News Releases

• Stay Connected. Stay Safe Media Kit
• AT&T Smart Limits Media Kit

Overheard

“Distracted driving is an epidemic, particularly among teens who are confident in their ability to text or talk while driving. Of the 5,500 people killed last year due to distracted driving, the largest proportion of fatalities occurred among young people under the age of 20. I hope teens will take this powerful video to heart and realize that when you’re behind the wheel, no text message or phone call is worth the risk.” — Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Transportation

"Given that texting impacts youth on many levels, including distracted driving, Family and Consumer Sciences students across the nation are using FCCLA's Families Acting for Community Traffic Safety (FACTS) program to combat texting while driving as one of its program units, and the AT&T "The Last Text" documentary is an excellent fit with FCCLA's FACTS program." — Michael L. Benjamin, M.P.H., CAE, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)

“The National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) Coalition is honored to support AT&T’s documentary, “The Last Text.” It sends such important messages that we’ve developed a complementary Community Viewing Toolkit to provide materials and resources for youth peer-to-peer and community education efforts. NOYS encourages youth and youth organizations to use this documentary to educate teens and communities about the risks of texting while driving. We’re grateful to the families who shared their personal stories and to AT&T for their leadership in supporting education efforts to prevent texting while driving.” — Sandra Spavone, NOYS Executive Director