PSU joins effort to curb texting and driving

  Monday, September 19, 2016 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

PSU joins effort to curb texting and driving

Pittsburg State University is joining the statewide effort to prevent texting and driving.

Starting this week, Pitt State will conduct a series of initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the dangers of texting and driving. The PSU campaign is part of a statewide “Don’t Text #Just Drive” challenge led by the Kansas Insurance Department.

At 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 19, PSU’s Gorillas In Your Midst and Gorilla Activities Board groups will set up a station inside the Overman Student Center where students, faculty and staff can take a pledge to not text and drive. Participants will also receive a list of various “Sorry, I’m driving” mobile phone apps. Students who show they already have such an app will be entered into a drawing for $100.

“The dangers of texting and driving cannot be overstated,” said J.T. Knoll, program coordinator for campus activities. “Imagine driving down the highway with your eyes closed. If you text while driving, it’s the same thing. If you’re looking at your phone instead of the road, you’re putting your life and the lives of others at risk. Plain and simple.”

In the coming weeks, students will have a chance to experience the dangers of texting and driving on an experiential simulator. The simulator will be set up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 28 in Lindburg Plaza and again from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 8 in Gorilla Village near Carnie Smith Stadium. Pledge stations also will be set up near the simulator on those dates.

Gorillas in Your Midst and Gorilla Activities Board will also conduct various awareness campaigns via social media throughout the fall.

Knoll said PSU is proud to take part in the statewide initiative against texting and driving.

“We applaud the state insurance department for taking on this very important issue,” he said. “The more awareness we can bring to this, the better. It’s very important that everyone, not just students, remember that even looking down to type ‘OK’ on your phone cost someone their life.”

The Kansas Insurance Department, insurance companies and governmental sponsors have created the “Don’t Text #Just Drive” campaign to get university students and supporters to pledge to stop texting while driving.

“We think this is a great way to promote a worthy goal of saving lives,” said Ken Selzer, Kansas Commissioner of Insurance. “You pledge to not text and drive, you pick your school and you cast your vote. Alumni, supporters and students of these Kansas schools show their support for the campaign and participate in a friendly competition at the same time.”

Supporters of each participating university will be able to take the pledge two ways: Online or by text messaging. The number of pledges each school receives will be compared to its official fall 2016 enrollment to calculate a percentage. Results will be tabulated and the winner announced during university athletic contests this fall and winter.

The participating schools are the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Wichita State University, Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University, Washburn University and Emporia State University.

Voting ends Nov. 22. Pledge votes can be cast texting 50555 and choosing one of the school keywords: KU, Wildcat, Shocker, Tiger, Gorilla, Ichabod, or Hornet. Voters can also go online at www.icwkansas.att.com. More information about the campaign can also be found at www.ksinsurance.org/justdrive.


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