Teen Against Distracted Driving Wants Your Pledge!

Sixteen-year-old Jon Epstein started driving last fall and admitted like most teens, he's texted while behind the wheel.

But now, the Oakwood Secondary School sophomore has made a promise to himself to avoid his cellphone while on the road and is trying to spread the word to other teens through a new campaign.

The death a few years ago of his friend Conor Lynch, who was killed by a texting driver while crossing the street, was also a big motivator.

"I just realized how dangerous it was, how bad I would feel if I killed someone or if I was killed, how my parents would feel," Jon said.

Earlier this month, he launched Leading Everyone Against Distracted Driving, which involves a pledge to refrain from texting, putting on makeup or other tasks that are risky when driving.

He's still forming the chapter at his own school, which will talk to students about the dangers of distracted driving.

Teen drivers are more likely to be involved in a fatal crash where a distraction is reported and accounted for 16 percent of distracted driving deaths in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

And memories of the tragedy that claimed Conor's life never left Jon and motivated him to make sure no other family goes through the same grief.

"Nobody has to die from distracted driving," said Jon. "It's a needless and preventable death."

More than 150 people have pledged to Jon's cause on his campaign's website.

Anyone who makes a donation gets a free "I pledge not to text and drive" bumper sticker. Jon said he's also trying to start chapters of his organization at nearby Campbell Hall School and Notre Dame High School.

All schools are invited to join the cause.