Nationwide campaign challenges teens to stop texting while driving

By Staff Writer

Many adolescents text on their cell phones while they are operating a motor vehicle. This distracted driving can increase their chances of getting into car accidents.

This trend has become such a problem that The Allstate Foundation and Channel One News have teamed up to launch a teen safe driving competition. More than 300 U.S. high schools have signed on to take part in the week-long challenge, which encourages students as well as their friends and family to take the pledge to "X the TXT."

The school that accrues the most online pledges will receive a $10,000 grant. In addition, music star Ashlyne Huff will perform a private concert at the winning institution in May, which is National Youth Traffic Safety Month.

The Allstate Foundation reports that 82 percent of teens use their cell phones behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that driver distraction contributes to about 25 percent of all motor-vehicle accidents.

Parents of teens who text and drive may consider implementing tough love and taking away their mobile devices.