Events in New Brunswick, Princeton, Trenton & Paramus Will Demonstrate the Dangers of Smartphone Distracted Driving

TRENTON, NJ (April 27, 2017) — Research shows that 7 in 10 people engage in smartphone activities while driving.** People are doing much more than texting from behind the wheel, which is why AT&T’s IT CAN WAIT tour is making stops across New Jersey to remind drivers of all ages to keep their eyes on the road, not on their phones.

The four upcoming events in the Garden State are among 300 taking place nationwide this year. AT&Ts’ unique virtual reality experience will be set up at the following locations:

• Saturday, April 29: AT&T Spring Mobile, 335 George Street, New Brunswick, 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Sunday, April 30: Communiversity Artsfest 2017, Downtown Princeton, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Monday May 1: New Jersey State House, West State Street, Trenton, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 16: AT&T, Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza, noon – 4 p.m.

J. Michael Schweder, president, AT&T Mid-Atlantic, said there’s much work to be done to help drive home the message that drivers need to keep their eyes on the road, not on their phones.

“Despite knowing the dangers, far too many people look at their phones while they’re driving. This is a deadly serious issue, and we’re doing what we can to help raise awareness about the consequence of looking at your device while behind the wheel. Drivers of all ages need to hear the message – It Can Wait. These events are a way to achieve that goal,” Schweder said.

People can also use their own smartphone to viewthe 360° experience at home using Google cardboard or Oculus VR Goggles.

IT CAN WAIT is a national movement urging drivers to keep their eyes on the road, not on their phones — distracted driving is never OK. The campaign began with a focus on not texting and driving. It has now expanded to the broader dangers of smartphone use behind the wheel.

Since its launch in 2010, the campaign has:

• Helped grow awareness of the dangers of smartphone distracted driving to nearly 90% of audiences surveyed.
• Inspired more than 14 million pledges to not drive distracted.
• Worked with departments of transportation in Texas, Kentucky and other states on research that suggests a correlation between IT CAN WAIT campaign activities and a reduction in crashes.
• Collaborated with AT&T data scientists on research that shows how statewide anti-texting laws impact the rate of texting while driving.

To learn more, visit ItCanWait.com.

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