ATLANTA -- In an effort to convince teen drivers to pull off the road to send text messages, a group of business, civic and state agencies announced today the launch of a statewide campaign called Exit 2 Text It.
It also called on local governments to enact rules to prohibit their own employees from texting while driving for work.
Several bills are pending in the General Assembly to outlaw texting while behind the wheel. The group said today it would be happy if any of the bills passed but that it isn’t waiting.
“We can’t wait for legislation to take some action,” said Len Pagano, president of the Marietta-based Safe America Foundation that is directing the campaign.
It has convinced radio stations in Newnan, Rome, Augusta and other cities to broadcast 30-second warnings to teen motorists, and it hopes to teach safe-driving skills to 10,000 students over the summer.
“Texting has become a safety epidemic,” Pagano said.
Cosponsors include Publix, Pepsi, the Georgia Parent Teacher Association, the 100 Black Men of Georgia, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and others.
Why only texting? Talking while driving is just as dangerous.
I hope it works. Perhaps a few young lives and other innocent lives can be spared. Maybe in the future cars can be equipped with a texting "jam". No texts in or out while the motor is running.
exit 2 text it. that is so cool! kids r gonna eat that up omg omg omg. it almost as cool as just say no. i remember grooving to that one.
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