When you think of textPlus, you probably think about texting your bestie and sharing a laugh. But in the wrong environment, texting can be deadly. Even though no message is important enough to endanger lives, people continue to text and drive.
Even worse -- texting and driving is the number one killer of American teens. And according to a recent Pew study, 36% of teens say they have been involved in a near-crash because of their own or someone else's distracted driving.
textPlus cares about your safety. That’s why we support NO texting and driving. In fact, we're dedicating this month to promoting this cause online and in-app to our users. Your textPlus messages can wait. Your life can't.
Need more facts to convince you texting and driving is a HUGE no no?
- Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting.
- A texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into an accident than a non-texting driver.
- Using a cell phone while driving delays a driver's reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent.
Still tempted to check your phone while driving? Here are some simple but effective tips to curb the temptation:
1. Keep your phone out of sight and out of mind. When you're in the car, put your phone where you can't get to it.
2. Notifications are a huge distraction. Turn them off. The less you hear your phone, the less tempted you'll be to respond while you're driving. Here’s how you can turn off notifications in textPlus:
iOS:
- In the home screen, click on the Settings icon
- Click on Notifications, then click on textPlus
- Where it says Notification Center select OFF
Android:
1. In the home screen, tap Menu
2. Select Settings
3. Scroll down to “textPlus Notifications” and check the box to turn notifications OFF for both Pop-Ups and Notifications Bar
Windows Phone 7:
- Go to Menu (Panorama pivot)
- Tap Setup
- Go to Push Notifications and select OFF
3. Designate a texter. Passengers get the privilege of texting while you are safely driving them.
4. Get important texts out before you drive. Directions, telling someone you’re “on the way” or even responding to a previous text should be handled before your hands are on the wheel.
5. Hold yourself accountable. Take the “No Phone Zone Pledge” today and share with your friends, too.