Campaign educates students on dangers of texting while driving

Texting while driving has become an epidemic in our country including Imperial County.

“It Can Wait” is AT&T’s campaign asking drivers to think twice before texting and driving and here’s why. According to AT&T, nine out of ten drivers admit to using their phone while driving.

The company met with Calexico High School students to make they don’t become a statistic.

“We all drive on the same roads. We want to make the roads safer. And when we have a team effort like the school, the state officials, AT&T, to work together to bring an end to this is huge,” said AT&T Tour Spokesperson, Chris Johnson.

Students walked away knowing that driving distracted can affect their lives and others on the road.

“I think within a few minutes after we showed those videos, looking at the kids’ faces, they were 100 percent changed. They all took the pledge. Most of them did the virtual reality experience. They’re going to walk away with a newfound respect for the dangers of distractive driving,” Johnson said.

School officials want students to be accountable behind the wheel. Calexico High School Principal Gabrielle Williams said, “I hope that today they’re able to reflect. They’re able to talk to their peers about being responsible drivers.”

One student hopes that he can share his experience and encourage others to not text and drive. Calexico High School student Cristian Rico said, “I would tell my mom that [she should] never check the phone when she’s driving and discourage herself because it’s dangerous. It’s very dangerous. Many accidents happen for that phone.”

Students realized that a text or selfie isn’t worth their life.

For more information on the “It Can Wait” campaign, click here.