AT&T, MVA Joins Forces to Educate the Public on the Dangers of Texting while Driving

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) and AT&T joined forces today to help educate the public on the dangers of texting while driving. In conjunction with the Maryland Highway Safety Office’s "Toward Zero Deaths-Maryland" campaign and AT&T’s “It Can Wait” campaign, which is raising awareness about safe driving across the country, students from Glen Burnie High School and members of the public had the unique opportunity to sit in a real car hooked up to a virtual game at the MVA headquarters in Glen Burnie and attempt to drive virtually while texting on their phone. Most people lasted only a few seconds before “crashing” in practice.

“We’re all working toward zero deaths in Maryland,” said John Kuo, MVA Administrator and Governor Martin O'Malley’s Highway Safety Representative. “Every single time you take your eyes off the road or talk on the phone while you're driving - even for just a few seconds - you put yourself and others in danger. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration is committed to ending distracted driving, and, with partners like AT&T and event like this one, we will continue to spread this message.”

The MVA has shared information about the “It Can Wait” initiative with its more than 2,000 staff statewide.  Visitors to any of the 24 MVA branch offices statewide can learn more about how they can pledge not to text through special messages broadcast on video monitors in the MVA offices.