Some of you may remember when I posted
a couple of months ago.
As a result of that post, I was contacted by Marina Gomberg who is a representative for Subway restaurants. Subway was sponsoring a campaign targeting middle school and high school students to increase awareness of the dangers of texting while driving.
Marina asked me if I would share my family's experiences and the seriousness of this national epidemic.
The Savannah presentation took place at Savannah's Bible Baptist School.
April 25 was a hectic day! I was up at 4:00am for an interview with our local TV station WTOC.
Click on the link below to see part of the interview and subsequent presentation.
I did not know how to get the actual video to appear here but the link takes you there.
Marina Gomberg the Subway Representative
This is the sight that welcomed me, 5:45 a.m. at the remote broadcast location.
I thought we were doing a spot about "texting and driving". Perhaps I was incorrect, this is a fire safety spot!
Not to fear, I am told. No reason to be alarmed. Hey, they have been doing this for years. I'm good!
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This is Lynda Figueredo, our, early morning, roving news broadcaster. She was already on the job, filming the tease (OMG, I was dragging!).
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We were here for a great cause and one that touches me personally but I was still fascinated with the broadcast process.
Our goal was to film a few short interviews to be shown on TV's early morning shows. Later in the morning we would meet with the students for their school assembly.
Marina is a lovely lady. She is enthusiastic about our campaign and Subway!
Bible Baptist School's Headmaster, Mr. Steven Kyle is explaining why he believes this message is important to his students. By now you can see the students beginning to arrive for school.
This is a better shot of Mr. Kyle as I prepare to tell my experience.
We are showing off our branded thumb bands that say, "W8 2 TXT". A reminder to wait, when you start to text while at the wheel.
The Powerpoint presentation had the photos of my children's crashed autos. I didn't include them today because you had seen them here.
Andy Sinquefield, State Trooper, and Safety Education Officer of Georgia State Patrol for our area provided astounding statistics for us.
Did you know? National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics for texting and driving related accidents indicate almost 6,000 people died in car crashes in 2008 alone. The same statistics revealed that more than 500,000 people were injured in auto accidents in the United States. Nearly 28 percent of all accidents in 2008 were caused by drivers between the ages of 18 and 29, who admitted to texting while driving.
After the presentation the students were asked to sign the W8 2 TXT pledge board that will be prominantly displayed in their school. Some students were drivers and others had yet to reach driving age.
As the students signed the pledge they were given the
W8 2 TXT thumb band.
W8 2 TXT thumb band.
Before the assembly was over almost 200 students had signed the pledge to
W8 2 TXT
Will you take the pledge?
Please share this message with your families.
I am joining:
23 comments:
This is AWESOME Ginger. I was very moved by your post I remember. I talked to my boys about it as well. I took the pledge long ago. My boys will not even let me talk on the phone and drive. If it rings, they answer it and say My Mom is driving she will call you later. You are a super star my friend. See you never know who is lurking your blog...which is a good thing. So glad you shared.
This is so important, Ginger! Bless you for writing and speaking out about the dangers -- which you know so well -- of texting while driving. How great that a corporate entity like Subway is really getting behind this and helping to increase the visibility of your message! You may be saving untold lives and preventing incredible heartbreak.
Sounds like you had an exciting day! What a great cause, glad you could help teach the kids just how important it is to not text and drive:@)
Thank you for speaking out about texting and driving and for sharing your experience. I'm sure you saved some lives.
I am so happy to see something being done about this. Texting while driving is as bad as drinking while driving-in my opinion. They are both distractors and cause accidents.
Even though it is illegal in our state I still people doing it all the time...and not only kids...it is adults.
I am so glad you had the opportunity to do this- good for you! xo Diana
This is great! I'm so proud of you!
sharon @ mrs. hines class
It is illegal to drive and tect here in the UK but people do it and accidnets do happen - too many.
How can I support your cause here in the UK. I will certainly start by telling tell my school
Thanks for this important message.
Ginger, I remember seeing your original posts about this. You are doing such a wonderful and important job helping to spread the message.
Woo-Hoo, Ginger! So proud of your speaking out and speaking up about this serious issue!
Hugs, GraceinAZ
Great pictures you show.
Wishing you a good day.
Hanne Bente / hbt.finus.dk
How wonderful to hear your sweet voice speaking out about such an important topic! Texting while driving is already banned in NC, but I still see people (probably more young adults than teens) doing it all of the time. Just yesterday we passed a woman on I40 reading an ipad while she was driving - CRAZYINESS!
Ginger,
What an important message! Thank you for sharing this.
Blessings,
Kathy
Wow Ginger! So awesome that were able to share this in this way! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
You and Subway have come up with a great marketing plan. I like the idea of the thumb bands! I love your blues.
Happy Blue Monday, Ginger.
Wow, that looked fun!
My Blue Monday.
Well poo I hate that I missed this..
I know your message come from your heart and reached many.. Good job there my beautiful friend..
hugs, Cherry
I have just read your earlier post and am amazed that your loved ones were not more seriously hurt. You have done something very important here and may never know the positive impact you have made.
-Karen
What a powerful and important message. Thank you for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.
- The Tablescaper
This was a powerful message. I think sometime young people think they are invincible. Your message is very important in today's society. Too many people going too fats and talking and texting and not paying attention.
So inspiring!
My BLUE entry. Have a great week!
wow! you are such an inspiration :-) you made my day :-) Dropping by from last weeks BM
http://adventurousjessy.blogspot.com/2012/04/we-bought-new-pool-solar-cover.html
A very important message. As a mom of two young drivers and one more soon, I am hugely in favor of the message of this post.
I never saw that from Subway - GREAT CAUSE! sandie
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