FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
September 19, 2013
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Alabama Attorney General
Claire Haynes (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 1
AG LEADS “DRIVE 4 PLEDGES” CAMPAIGN IN ALABAMA,
WITH ASSEMBLIES HELD TODAY AT TWO HIGH SCHOOLS
MONTGOMERY – Speaking at two high school assemblies in Jefferson County this morning,
Attorney General Luther Strange urges students to take the pledge not to text while driving, and to encourage
their friends and family members to make the same commitment. The events at Mortimer Jordan High School
and Gardendale High School are part of a national campaign, with today designated as “Drive 4 Pledges
Day.”
Attorney General Strange is leading the Drive 4 Pledges campaign in Alabama, sponsored by AT&T.
Drive4 Pledges is part of “It Can Wait,” a national program sponsored by wireless service providers to
educate the public about the dangers of texting while driving. The Attorney General was joined today by
AT&T officials, Jefferson County School Superintendent Dr. Stephen Nowlin, Kimberly Mayor Bob
Ellerbrock, Gardendale Mayor Othell Phillips, as well as administrators, teachers and students of the two
schools.
“Protecting the people of Alabama is my foremost priority,” said Attorney General Strange. “This
campaign is important because each of us can make a simple commitment – not to text while driving – and
we can make a difference in saving lives. By taking the pledge, and by asking others to join us, these young
people today are leading a new generation in declaring that texting while driving is dangerous and
unacceptable behavior. “
Attorney General Strange said the national campaign has taken hold in Alabama, with more
organizations and citizens becoming involved “to change our habits and make our roadways safer. Today
our focus is on young people, who typically send about five times as many texts daily as adults, but every
driver needs to understand the risks of texting and driving, and join in our pledge.”
Telling students today that “100,000 crashes each year are caused by texting and driving, hurting
people like you and me,” the Attorney General adds that “texting behind the wheel makes you at least 23
times as likely to be in an accident. Taking your eyes off the road for five seconds, the average amount of time
to send a text, while driving 55 miles per hour is the equivalent of driving a football field’s length blind.”
Last year in Alabama, 10 people were killed and 362 injured in 1,005 crashes where the prime
contributing circumstance was distraction by use of an electronic communication device, according to
statistics from the Department of Public Safety.
Attorney General Strange extends to all Alabamians his message to those present at the school
assemblies: I am going to commit myself and ask that you join me in taking the pledge to never text while
driving. Your life could depend upon it. Please join me and spread the word – It Can Wait!”
For more information and to take the pledge, visit www.ItCanWait.com.
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501 Washington Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104 (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
