On September 21st, AT&T spent the day at Chapin High School with their new texting and driving simulator to the school and let students experience the virtual reality of texting while driving with the message that “It Can Wait.” Chapin was the first high school assembly in South Carolina that AT&T used their new simulator.

Ted Creech, Director of External Affairs for AT&T in South Carolina, spoke to students during the assembly and informed them of the dangers of texting and driving. Creech presented statistics and videos during the assembly to educate students on using their phones while driving. Studies show that 7 in 10 people engage in some kind of smart phone activity while driving. 62% of people keep their smart phone in reach. Creech said, “200,000 crashes a year are caused by texting and driving and many of those result in bad injuries, and even death sometimes. So, AT&T wants you to use their services and devices, but use them safely.”

Research shows that 40% of smart phone users use social media while driving. AT&T emphasized that using social media while driving is just as dangerous as texting while driving. Creech says, “Our students are very active with their smartphones. Its not just a matter of texting, don’t post on social media, don’t read social media, don’t browse the web or use email while you are driving. If we can work with young people to have them change their behavior before it becomes a very difficult habit to break, then all the better.” It is very important to AT&T that students understand that using social media is dangerous behind the wheel.

Sophomore Justin  Ford took a turn behind the wheel of the simulator. “It was going good at first. I wasn’t really looking at the phone and then towards the end I messed up and crashed the car,” Ford said. Ford also added that he learned he shouldn’t text and drive. “It can cost lives, your life and it puts everyone in danger.”

AT&T has created a new app, the “AT&T Drive Mode” that is available on the app store or itcanwait.com. The app allows you to program an auto reply to text messages you receive while you are driving. The app has been downloaded more than 2.5 million times so far and continues to be downloaded every day. AT&T also gave Chapin students the opportunity to pledge to not text while drive. To join the other 7 million people who have pledged not to text and drive, text ICWCHS to 464329.

AT&T will continue to go across the country to share their It Can Wait campaign. Creech tells us, “The whole effort is to go across the country to try to impress upon as many people as possible the dangers of texting while they drive.”