Verizon Wireless 'It Waited' Safe Driving Campaign

The country’s four largest wireless carriers have teamed up to launch a campaign against texting while driving. It’s now summertime, which means more and more drivers are hitting the road to travel around New England and other locations this summer. The It Can Wait campaign urges drivers to pledge not to text and drive and provides resources and tools to help prevent distracted driving.

Since 2000, responsible driving has been an important cause for Verizon, when the company became the first wireless carrier to step forward and support hands-free legislation across the county. As part of this leadership effort, Verizon Wireless developed a Responsible Driver Action Plan, which included first-of-its-kind commitments to incorporate responsible driving messages in company advertising and customer communications. Since then, the Verizon Wireless Responsible Driving Action Plan has helped Verizon Wireless become a leader in promoting safe driving throughout the country. For the past 13 years, Verizon has helped make the roads safer for wireless customers everywhere by supporting the cause in many capacities, including:

• Implementation of vIQ (vehicle Intelligence Quest), an educational kit distributed to new drivers across the country promoting safe and responsible driving

• Annual participation by Verizon Wireless Responsible Driving Action Plan in Wireless Safety Week

• Membership in the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association

• Support of state laws requiring drivers to use hands-free devices when talking on wireless phones

• Ongoing support of federal legislation to ban texting/emailing while driving

• Opposition of DRIVE Coalition’s attempt to fight laws prohibiting texting while driving

• Creation of the “Don’t Text & Drive” pledge and campaign, aimed at drivers of all ages but particularly focused on teens and new drivers

To support the safe driving initiative, Verizon Wireless is encouraging social media users to actively participate in responsible driving by pulling over to text or email. Verizon asks that drivers then share the rewarding sights or moments they experience, while safely using their devices, by using the hashtag #ItWaited. Drivers are also encouraged to submit photos captured during these moments of responsible driving. Please consider participating in the #ItWaited campaign, and encourage others to do the same. Because when it comes to texting and driving, the message is simple: It Can Wait.

For more information about the “It Can Wait” campaign and initiative, visit http://www.itcanwait.com. Also, be sure to follow @VZWMike for more on this campaign and the latest Verizon Wireless news in the region.