Massapequa High School recently hosted a “Don’t Text and Drive” event through the Texting Awareness Foundation. Allstate agent Michael Rogers joined distracted driving public speaker Karen Torres and local legislator Michael Venditto to speak to students about the dangers of distracted driving.
Following the event, Rogers invited attendees to ‘X the TXT’ and gave them the opportunity to take the pledge to put their cell phone down and focus on the road, as part of Allstate’s national “X the TXT” campaign. Rogers talked about the dangers of texting while driving as participants added their thumbprints to an oversized pledge banner as symbols of their promises not to text and drive.
“Everyone is susceptible to distractions behind the wheel,” said Rogers. “Pledging not to text and drive is a simple act that can help ensure those we love come home safely. No text is worth risking a life.”
Texting is one of the most dangerous distractions facing drivers today, particularly teens. According to a recent survey, the Allstate Foundation found that 75 percent of teens admit that they find reading and responding to texts distracting behind the wheel, but more than 40 percent still admit to texting and driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports driver distraction contributes to 25 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes.
Since its launch, more than two million people have made the pledge and “X the TXT” pledge events have taken place all over the country. Upon pledging, participants receive thumb bands with the words TXTNG KLLS to wear as a daily reminder of their commitment. Pledge cards are passed out to everyone who makes the pledge to help get a conversation started and to help encourage families to commit to safer, focused driving.
Rogers’s office is located at 569 Broadway, Massapequa and he can be reached at 516-541-3000 or via email at michaelrogers@allstate.com.
To make the pledge not to text and drive, or for more information on the “X the TXT” pledge program, visit www.facebook.com/xthetxt.
