Commuters Addicted to Texting

When the freeways turn into parking lots, LA commuters turn to their phone and break the law.  Southern California traffic seldom gives commuters a break.  In a recent commuter survey conducted by AT&T teens weren’t the only ones behaving badly behind the wheel; instead it was those commuting to and from work. The findings found:

·         Nearly half of commuters (49 %) admitted to texting while driving, a higher rate than reported by teens (43 %).

·         They are doing so more than they used to. Six in 10 commuters said they never texted while driving three years ago.

·         Texting while driving despite knowing the risks. 98% said sending a text or email while driving isn’t safe.

·         For many, it has become a habit. More than 40% of those who admitted to texting while driving called it a habit.

AT&T recognized the problem and created their own initiative—It Can Wait. The It Can Wait movement focuses on educating the public–especially teens–on the dangers of texting and driving in order to save lives.  If you would like to learn more about the It Can Waitmovement and these recent findings, I’d be happy to connect you to an AT&T representative.

AT&T hosts “It Can Wait” Hackathon to discourage texting while driving – 9/7-8 & 9/18

Today, technology plays an important role in most of our lives.  It can make us more connected, can make everyday tasks more convenient and can even make us safer.

With that in mind, AT&T is challenging developers to create mobile apps that present a real solution to the texting while driving epidemic—which causes more than 100,000 automotive accidents every year—by inviting them to participate in an “It Can Wait” Hackathon in Los Angeles, Calif. on Sept. 7-8, 2012. The grand prize winner—announced on Sept. 18^th—will receive $20,000 from AT&T. The event is part of AT&T’s national campaign to save lives by discouraging texting while driving.

In a twist on the classic hackathon, five finalists will be selected following an intensive 24 hours of coding.  Those finalists will then have 10 days to refine their apps and present them again on Tuesday, Sept. 18—the eve of AT&T’s national day to discourage texting while driving.  At that time, winners will be selected and will receive the following prizes:

·         1^st Place: $20,000

·         2^nd Place: $7,000

·         3^rd Place: $3,000

     AT&T’s texting while driving simulator will also be on site for the first night, Friday, Sept. 7.

Friday, Sept. 7 and Saturday, Sept. 8  ----- 6 p.m.– 9 p.m------

Winners announced at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012.

Coloft

920 Santa Monica Blvd.

Santa Monica, CA  90401

Sponsors: AT&T, Ericsson, Telenav, Sierra Wireless, Github, Geeks Without Bounds, Anywhere Science, 106 Miles

Twitter: Follow @ATTdeveloper, #ATTHack and #ItCanWait