{Disclosure: This post is part of a compensated campaign in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and . I also received the same AT&T "ItCanWait" gift bag that I'm giving away. The opinions are my own.}
I have my phone on me pretty much all the time. I'm guessing it's the same for most of you. That's the world we live in. Life in 2o13 is mostly shared via text. At least in my family.
And my kids? They always have their phones close to them. If they don't, I think they experience phantom-limb syndrome (but that's not important right now). Their smart phones are like appendages.
I take photos and I text every single day. So does my family. It's how we communicate with each other. It's how we share life.
But if they're out in the world and they're driving, I absolutely don't want them to respond to any texts. There is not any text response that is worth their safety. It. Can. Wait.
Don't Text and Drive
Which is why I'm on board with . This is serious to me and I believe it should be for all parents. The reason I'm an advocate for this no-texting-while-driving campaign is that I want the day to come when texting and driving becomes as unacceptable as drinking and driving. There. I said it.
Even having the conversation with your kids and loved ones makes a difference. Since the movement was launched in 2009, more than two million no-texting-while-driving pledges have been logged through ItCanWait.com, social media such as Facebook, and don't text and drive events. And it's working. Attitudes and behaviors are changing and ultimately lives will be saved.
There are a few things I want to share with you today before I introduce this giveaway.
AT&T has developed a free app for Android and Blackberry called AT&T DriveMode®. It already has more than 310k unique downloads.
- Once downloaded and set up, the app will turn on automatically once your vehicle starts moving 25 miles per hour. Then anyone who tries to text or send email will receive an auto reply message telling them you’re currently driving and will get back to them soon.
- When the app is turned on, all calls will automatically be sent to voicemail; however, the user can identify up to five numbers that can always be dialed, and 911 calls are always allowed.
- When setting up the app, the user has the option to select one navigation and one music app that can be accessed while DriveMode is turned on.
- While enabled, depending on your device, the app also stops incoming sounds for texts, emails and voice calls – so you’re less tempted to grab your phone.
- The app automatically turns off once the vehicle is going less than 25 miles per hour for 5 minutes and then the user can view the calls, messages and emails as they normally would.
The Blackberry Giveaway
Today's giveaway has been generously donated by Blackberry and sponsored by AT&T.
The "ItCanWait" gift bag includes the following:
- Blackberry Q10
- ItCanWait T-shirt
- ItCanWait thumb rings
- ItCanWait Non-Woven Big Tote
- ItCanWait Decals/Spanish
- ItCanWait Cleaning cloth
- ItCanWait Silicon snap bracelet
- Interior Double Side Cling
To enter this drawing for The Blackberry Q10 and the AT&T "ItCanWait" Gift Bag please leave a comment on this post and do the following:
- Go to
- Take the no-texting-and-driving pledge. Leave me a comment that says, "I took the pledge."
- Share your promise with others via Twitter (#itcanwait) and Facebook at www.facebook.com/ItCanWaitNoTextingWhileDriving
- Leave me another comment telling me how you shared your pledge.
Please leave your comments on this post and I'll choose a winner on Thursday, September 19th, 2013 at 9:00 am PST. (That's 2 entries allowed per person. I'm trusting you to be honest about it.)
IMPORTANT: You must use a legitimate email address to comment
and not just a Facebook link. I need to be able to contact the winner.
This post will stay at the top of my blog until September 19th. I encourage you to take the pledge, tell friends and get involved. We're saving lives here, people.
Deb moretti says
I happily took the pledge.Dmoretti1967 at yahoo dot com
Deb moretti says
Shared via twitterhttps://twitter.com/boyzrule1/status/374976292372094977
Dmoretti1967 at yahoo dot com
Rafaela Castagna says
I took the [email protected]
Mami2jcn says
I took the pledge.
Mami2jcn says
Shared on Facebook–https://www.facebook.com/mary.happymommy/posts/625779340785766
Mami2jcn says
Forgot to include my email address:mami2jcn at gmail dot com
Liza says
I took the pledge!
Liza says
Posted on the FB page that I took the pledge!
Helen says
I took the pledge and liked the Facebook page. MrsRedPepper at zoomtown dot com
Natalie says
I took the pledge!
Natalie says
I shared via FB. My e-mail address is [email protected]
Ody Fabregas says
I took the pledge!!
Ody Fabregas says
I shared it on my FB wall!!!!
DJ says
Hi Marti 🙂 I took the pledge. Posted on FB wall (but now I’m thinking it said “only me” for viewing.. ugh). Anyway, this phone would be perfect for my daughter since she is to/from college campus this year and her phone is mostly broken. Good luck to all!
Lilly Medina says
I took the pledge and shared on twitter
Mercy says
Yes–my daughter will be 17 & driving soon….she will take the pledge too 🙂
Mercy says
I took the pledge & shared on FB–good luck to all. If we all honor our pledge it’s a “win-win” !
Carina says
I took the pledge!
Chase Miller says
I took the pledge & shared via Twitter. I hope I win as I could use a new phone 🙂
Mlauzurique says
I took the pledge and shared via [email protected]
L. Leon says
I took the pledge…”shared it on Facebook……Don’t text and drive save a Life!!!! pass the word!!
I hope I win 🙂
[email protected]
[email protected] says
I took the pledge and liked the page in facebook!!
Maria Zaldivar says
I took the pledge and share this campaign via Facebook
Suyin says
I took the pledge!
Suyin says
Liked the page on Facebook…
Lily says
A blackberry would be very very nice….along with arroz con pollo for 20! 😉
Kristen says
A great reminder for sure! Welcome to Social Fabric!!!!
Carmela C says
I took the pledge!
Carmela C says
I shared my promise to not text and drive on twitter #itcanwait
Maria says
T took it I took it!!! Boy could I use a phone, and I also twitted [email protected]
please Marta Please.
Amanda Sakovitz says
I took the pledge!pokergrl8 at gmail.com
Amanda Sakovitz says
I shared on twitterhttps://twitter.com/aes529/status/375275861366145025
D Schmidt says
I took the [email protected]
Jorge says
“i took the pledge” THUMBS UP for this campaign :).
Matilda says
I just took the pledge & shared it on [email protected]
norma says
I took the pledge!!
Jamile Toledo says
I promise I will not text and drive. It would come in handy, my son’s blackberry broke. (; daleee
Teresa Lopez says
I took the pledge
odalys cano says
I took the pledge my sonwould love it
Annie says
I took the pledge!
Jennifer says
Definitely took the pledge! Just stopping by to welcome you to the Social Fabric Community!
livivua says
i took the pledge!yes.4eva.r(atgmaildotcom)
livivua says
https://www.facebook.com/ItCanWaitNoTextingWhileDriving/posts/571314816261136shared on facebook
D Schmidt says
Shared my pledgehttps://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/376519382588866560
[email protected]
Mel says
I took the pledge.
Mel says
Shared my pledge on Twitter.
Thomas Murphy says
I took the pledge.
Thomas Murphy says
I shared the pledge on facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/tom.murphy.946179/posts/549200075151033
rounder9834 @yahoo.com