Senator O'Brien fights to curb texting while driving

FAIRPORT AND EAST ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Today, Senator Ted O’Brien stood with local residents and insurance representatives to promote safe driving through the “X the TXT” initiative, amid recent reports that texting while driving now causes more teen fatalities than drunk driving.

“As a father and a legislator, my top priority is keeping our children safe from harm,” Senator O’Brien said. “Texting while driving is one of the leading easily prevented causes of death among young people today. The ‘X the TXT’ program is a great way to educate our kids about the dangers of texting while driving and help them make good decisions when they’re on the road. I’m proud to support this life-saving initiative.”

Rochester is one of 14 areas selected by Allstate Insurance as a “Safe and Secure Community” nationwide. Multiple area agents assisted with the event, having teens affix their thumbprints to a banner indicating that they had pledged to not text while driving. Sen. O’Brien appeared at events and took the pledge himself not to text and drive at two different agency buildings in his district.

Insurance industry statistics indicate that texting while driving increases an individual’s likelihood of being in an accident 23 times over. It contributes to over 4,000 teen deaths per year.

“I believe that events like these are an excellent way to help get the message out that distracted driving is an incredibly serious issue that we need to take on together as a community,” Senator O’Brien said. “We can all play a part in making our roads safer and protecting the lives of our children.”

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Sen. O’Brien represents the 55th district in the Senate, which is made up of the eastern half of Monroe County and the western half of Ontario County, including much of the city of Rochester.

Media contact:

Thomas J. Morrisey
Communications Director
office: (585) 218-0034
e-mail: tjmorris@nysenate.gov