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PSA: Laws may not stop texting while driving, but AT&T's ads may help

GasBuddy Blog -- Have you seen a recent AT&T Texting While Driving Ad? They're powerful. The video shown below is Wil, explaining how his life changed after sustaining a serious, permanent brain injury due to texting behind the wheel. AT&T has continued to air ads that focus on the ramifications of texting while driving after numbers show that laws against texting aren't necessarily making much of a difference. I'd argue that the repeated ads are likely more powerful.

AT&T has documented dozens of cases where families have lost loved ones after texting behind the wheel. Family members- sons, daughters, cousins, friends, all because of a text message that could have waited.

TEXTING CAN WAIT. Your loved ones, your life- is worth...


Read the Full Article

Submitted Sep 20, 2012 By: PD
Category: GasBuddy Official Blog > Topics Add to favorite topics   Post new topicPost New Topic
Author Topic: PSA: Laws may not stop texting while driving, but AT&T's ads may help Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
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honda0105
Champion Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: Sep 24, 2012 5:52:56 AM

we did that w/ alcohol. Drunk driving (and DUI of other stuff) is still high.
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bull2010
Sophomore Author Houston

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Message Posted: Sep 22, 2012 12:58:01 PM

at&t seems to have a good p-r ad.
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sts808
Veteran Author Honolulu

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Message Posted: Sep 22, 2012 10:48:18 AM

ok
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pricewar
Champion Author Ogden

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Message Posted: Sep 22, 2012 2:35:01 AM

They say it is an addiction. Maybe they might seek help
Under the new Obama care program.
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Wanda127
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 11:48:40 PM

In VA. they already have the law of no Texting & driving but about a yr. ago a woman was texting when she crossed a little bridge near Smithfield Packing in the town of Smithfield,VA. She had a head-on collision with one of the big tractor trailers & was killed instantly.

Texting while driving is just so dangerous. I don't even like to add GB fuel prices without being stopped at a light or pulling over.
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lesndave
Champion Author Texas

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 11:06:14 PM

I agree GatorGuy
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MAC48
Champion Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 10:46:25 PM

It would seem that requiring a motion sensing chip be installed in all hand held communication devices that renders the communication device unusable when ever the sensing device senses motion greater than 5 mph would solve the texting while driving problem. Of course such a motion sensing chip would also keep all passengers in a moving vehicle from using their own hand held communication device as well.
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GatorGuy
Champion Author Columbia

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 4:27:12 PM

Yes, kudos to AT&T for being proactive in teaching responsibility.
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bigbing64
Champion Author Memphis

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 2:15:56 PM

I witnessed a wreck just yesterday that a guy was texting, blew the red light, and broadsided a driver on the driver's side door at about 40 mph. It's just not worth it...
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Cellsite
Champion Author Appleton

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 2:03:07 PM

The only thing that law is good for is more income for the states when they can prove someone was texting at the time of their accident. Can't make laws that will eliminate stupidity.
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caddilac
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:40:01 PM


There is ONE thing AT&T hasn't taken into account.

The people that text while driving will also be texting while not driving, SO THEY WON'T BE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE AD ON THEIR TV SCREEN.
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myambro
Champion Author Sacramento

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:34:03 PM

Laws do not stop or prevent ANYTHING.
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gravityhurts
Champion Author North Carolina

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:30:14 PM

The dummies will still do it...like the laws to stop speeding? The laws requiring seat-belts. Oh yeah, put another law on the books.
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mdotson
Champion Author Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:28:32 PM

@PithyOpiner - unfortunately they don't just take themselves out, they sometimes take other innocent people out with them.
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rossp
Champion Author San Jose

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:27:57 PM

Against stupidity
The gods themselves
Contend in vain.
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albert2008
Champion Author Winnipeg

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:26:38 PM

smarten up people
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danol43
Champion Author Modesto

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:16:10 PM

Stupidity trumps all laws and regulations.
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LtRTH
Champion Author St. Louis

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:14:50 PM

No matter how hard some states may try, you just can't legislate common sense.
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REKEY
Champion Author South Carolina

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:14:04 PM

Nice try!
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05HD
All-Star Author Cincinnati

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:12:56 PM

NOT A REAL BRAINER.LAWS DON'T MAKE YOU SMARTER.
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Ebaz
Champion Author Oklahoma City

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:10:46 PM

No new laws
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Hop1LA
Champion Author Baton Rouge

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:09:30 PM

OK
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USNDVR
All-Star Author Jacksonville

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:07:25 PM

Good effort. But you can't fix stupid.
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egd
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:05:43 PM

good luck
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dlzastera
Champion Author Minnesota

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:05:38 PM

okay.
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NO_SWEAT
Champion Author Toronto

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:04:10 PM

Not Safe - stop driving while texting.
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joeschmo12
Champion Author New York

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:03:49 PM

Props for at& t not coming up with this sooner.
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Mikeyl
Champion Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:03:41 PM

Yesterday's news...
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Point__man
Champion Author Raleigh

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:01:51 PM

Aren't automakers building these and other gadgets that are distracting into their vehicles these days to increase sales ?

Unless you remove availability, people will continue use ;)

Look at the numbers on DUI and we have seen plenty of ads about that. Same for smoking, some will never quit ;)
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wdcutter
All-Star Author Lansing

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 1:01:26 PM

The only way to stop it is to make the fine large enough for texting while driving and suspend indefinitely one's license if texting is involved in an accident even if no one is hurt!
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CAD69
Champion Author Milwaukee

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:59:42 PM

Yes
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Go_E85
Champion Author Orange County

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:57:07 PM

mind control thru media.
Its amazing what you can convince people to do.
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GoLancer4
Champion Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:57:01 PM

good
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geezrtek
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:49:54 PM

Maybe the ads will help the laws will almost certainly not. Laws require the cooperation of the populace. Prohibition is the example that comes most readily to mind.
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dan30thz28
Champion Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:48:33 PM

Nice idea.
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bluetruck54
Champion Author Quad Cities

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:47:29 PM

amen to that: the innocent are the one's that suffer
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TimTim
All-Star Author Vancouver

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:47:24 PM

Good job AT&T!!!
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HawaiianGuy
Champion Author Idaho

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:45:56 PM

Like the majority of people I see on the road, their thoughts are that accidents caused while texting only happen to "the other guy". Unfortunately, if the sight of Wil in his sorry state isn't enough to make you think twice, then you get what you deserve. Trouble is, these morons usually take innocent people along with their sorry a$$e$.
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tduck06
Rookie Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:45:36 PM

I agree...please drive while driving. People who text and talk on their phone cannot drive correctly, in addition to all other distractions people can create while driving. Just drive and focus on driving...plz
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CTarp
Champion Author Texas

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:45:14 PM

Great article
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pgerassi
Champion Author Milwaukee

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:43:47 PM

Hit them with reckless driving when caught. The cost and license suspension should drive home that texting is very bad.
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headbusa1
Rookie Author Maine

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:42:56 PM

People say don't text or drink while driving....how about drive while driving?
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Dennisjk
Champion Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:41:19 PM

They don't follow speed laws either so it's a bad combination when they are driving 90 MPH and texting.
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Wolfwings
Champion Author Delaware

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:40:46 PM

If common sense won't do it, nothing welse will either.
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kzrooster
Champion Author Kalamazoo

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:36:44 PM

Laws are only as good as those who choose to follow. Texting while driving is a problem that is caught most of the time because the texter has ran a red light, rear ended or driven off the road. Then after the fact can one be charged with breaking the law. (if they still happen to be alive)
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yorkygurl2008
Veteran Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:35:42 PM

You should not TEXT & DRIVE.
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ironbox_sara
Champion Author Albany

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:34:07 PM

Good. The people aren't getting it.
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Lologogo
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:32:57 PM

they are very good ads.
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OGW
Champion Author London

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:31:45 PM

There is a new technoogy being worked on that can sense when the phone or any unit is in motion of approximately 5 miles per hour and shut down it's signal automatically. It is a small chip that can be inserted in all devices at the factory when the technology is perfected. That will solve the problem with the idiots that don't know they are the problem.
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aalix
Champion Author Orange County

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Message Posted: Sep 21, 2012 12:28:15 PM

Good advice.
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