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:
