New Lenox takes stand against texting and driving
September 11, 2012 8:32AM
Updated: October 14, 2012 1:23PM
NEW LENOX — Texting behind the wheel makes drivers 23 times more likely to crash. That is one alarming statistic why Mayor Tim Baldermann proclaimed Sept. 19 as “No Text On Board — Pledge Day.”
The proclamation targeted teens, Baldermann announced at the board meeting Monday.
However adults are equally to blame, he said.
“It is so dangerous, and you see people doing it all the time, drivers of all ages,” Baldermann said. “We can’t be putting this just on teenagers.”
The mayor admitted he has wrongly texted while driving.
“Text messaging is the main mode of communication for most American teenagers, with half of all teens sending between 21 and 70 texts a day,” according to the proclamation. “Ninety percent of American teenagers expect a reply to a text message within five minutes.”
The proclamation went on to say that 43 percent of teens admitted to texting while driving although 97 percent know it’s dangerous.
“We really need to set a good example for our teens,” Baldermann said.
— Erin Gallagher
