Chickasaw Nation, AT&T Oklahoma partner for ‘It Can Wait,’ end texting and driving

This article appeared in the October 2014 edition of the Chickasaw Times

ADA, Okla. – Texting and driving is akin to drinking and driving as far as safety is concerned.

There is one major difference, according to AT&T Oklahoma president Chris Johnson. Societal mores have deemed drinking and driving unacceptable. Texting and driving – although statistics reveal is just as deadly – receives a shrug from today’s always-online public.

The Chickasaw Nation is stepping forward and proclaiming texting and driving unacceptable.  The tribe partnered with AT&T’s “It Can Wait” campaign on Sept. 22.

Gov. Anoatubby offered his full support for the initiative.

“Our mission to enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people is important,” Gov. Anoatubby said. “Many of us travel around the state serving Chickasaw citizens and attending events. That combination makes it tempting to answer our messages on the go, but it really can wait.

“Your family cares about you. We want you to return home safely. It is time for all of us to do our part to prevent the kind of tragedy that can result from distracted driving.”

Mr. Hahn also spoke briefly during the event kicking off the collaborative effort.

“These days, anyone 16 years old and up likely has two things: a cell phone and a driver’s license. Those two things don’t mix,” he said. “Technology makes our lives easier in so many ways, but we want to make sure people are using that technology safely.

“Our goal is education, awareness and ultimately, a change in behavior. Our partners, Governor Anoatubby and the Chickasaw Nation, are helping us get the job done, and that’s a great thing.”

Many of the Chickasaw Nation’s Ada area employees experienced the danger of texting and driving firsthand.

“We have given this test to thousands and thousands and thousands of people,” Mr. Johnson said as Chickasaw Nation employees settled into a driver’s cockpit in front of a screen simulating driving conditions on a busy city street. “Almost all fail.”

In fact, most fail miserably. But in this situation you can “die” laughing, or drive so quickly or slowly as to be “saved” by the police who pull you over before you collide with another vehicle.

The idea is for you to navigate the city street while carrying on a texting conversation. It isn’t easy to perform the task safely. Therein is the lesson.

“We hope to show people it can’t be done safely, Mr. Johnson said.

“Most (people) also believe they can have a telephone conversation and be totally in control. They can’t.”

Texting While Driving Causes:

  • 1.6 million accidents per year – National Safety Council
  • 330,000 injuries per year – Harvard Center for Risk Analysis Study
  • 11 teen deaths every day – Insurance Institute for Hwy Safety Fatality Facts
  • Nearly 25 percent of all car accidents

Texting While Driving Is:

  • About 6 times more likely to cause an accident than driving intoxicated
  • The same as driving after 4 beers – National Highway Transportation Safety Administration
  • The number one driving distraction reported by teen drivers

Texting While Driving:

  • Makes you 23 times more likely to crash – National Highway Transportation Safety Administration
  • Is the same as driving blind for 5 seconds at a time – Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
  • Takes place by 800,000 drivers at any given time across the country
  • Slows your brake reaction speed by 18 percent – Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
  • Leads to a 400 percent increase with eyes off the road