New Law to Ban Texting While Driving in Pennsylvania!!!!

Woo-Hoo! Yay! Hurray! I’m so happy I could jump up and down and then dance a jig!  (that’s an obscure movie reference, the dancing a jig part…)  Anyway, yes I live in Pittsburgh PA, and yes I am SOOOOO Happy right now that this law has passed. I can’t remember the last time I was happy with the government, but today I am!!! NO Texting and Driving in PA!!  No more dealing with you morons that have to text while driving. No more seeing you swerve all over the road because you feel so important that you have to send that text, because you’re NOT that important you %$&#&%# Moron!!! NO MORE TEXTING!!! Yes it really SB 314 is the name of the new legislation that makes me so happy!! Yay! yes, I’m so happy…

J. Michael Schweder, president, AT&T Pennsylvania, today applauded Gov. Tom Corbett and the Pennsylvania legislature for enacting SB 314, legislation that bans texting while driving on Pennsylvania roads.

Corbett signed the bill during an event at an AT&T* retail store in Camp Hill. Schweder also highlighted AT&T’s ongoing commitment to raising awareness about the dangers of texting and driving though an initiative known as "Texting and Driving…It Can Wait," which Gov. Corbett cited during the bill-signing ceremony.

"Gov. Corbett and the General Assembly worked hard over the past year to make this new law a reality," Schweder said. "We’re thrilled to join him today as he signs this historic measure and to remind all Pennsylvanians that no text message is worth putting lives at risk."

Schweder said that according to a new study by the Texas Transportation Institute, when drivers read or send a text message, their reaction time is doubled. When asked to respond to a flashing light while texting behind the wheel, drivers were more than 11 times more likely to miss the light altogether(1). 

In an effort to help address the problem of texting and driving, AT&T in 2009 launched its "It Can Wait"campaign that aims to deter texting while driving.  Since the campaign was launched, AT&T has:

• Developed "The Last Text," a powerful 10-minute documentary featuring real stories where lives have been drastically altered – or even ended – because of texting while driving;
• Launched AT&T DriveMode – a free mobile app that, when enabled, sends a customizable auto-reply message to incoming texts and emails, notifying the sender that the user is driving and will respond when it is safe. The app also provides option to send calls directly to voicemail;**
• Designed an anti-texting-while-driving pledge for its Facebook, Friends & Family and employee pages;
• Created a resource center – www.att.com/textingcanwait – offering downloadable educational resources for the public;
• Revised its wireless and motor vehicle policies to prohibit texting and driving;
• Incorporated a don’t-text-and-drive message on the protective clings for devices sold in AT&T retail stores;
• Integrated campaign messaging in AT&T catalogs, signage, bills, emails and newsletters and at AT&T-sponsored events; and much, much more.

For more information on AT&T’s "It Can Wait" campaign, please visit: www.att.com/textingcanwait .

(1) Texas Transportation Institute: http://tti.tamu.edu/group/cts/texting-and-driving/

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

** Data and text messaging charges may apply for download and app usage. Standard messaging rates apply to auto-reply messages.  AT&T DriveMode is free to AT&T customers only. Compatible device required.