'Txting & Drving...It Can Wait' Campaign Comes to Coventry High School

Following the success of last year's "Txting & Drving...It Can Wait" campaign, Attorney General Peter Kilmartin, the RI Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and the RI State Police (RISP) are again bringing attention to the dangers of texting and driving with a statewide high school awareness tour, which visited Coventry High School Thursday morning.

Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General Jay Sullivan was joined by Coventry Police Chief Bryan Volpe, RISP Major David P.Tikoian, RIDOT State Traffic Engineer Bob Rocchio and AT&T Regional Director for External Affairs Joseph Shannon at Coventry High School on Thursday morning to present to the senior class the importance of not texting while driving. 

The assembly began with Principal Michael Hobin demonstrating a driving simulator showing how much texting affects a driver's ability to maintain control of a vehicle. Although he did not "crash" his virtual car when receiving simulated text messages, Hobin strayed from his lane of travel, repeatedly traveled above or below the simulator's speed limit and had several near-misses with obstacles. In a real life situation where fellow drivers, pedestrians and other obstacles come into play, he may not have been so lucky when making the decision to text and drive and the same time.

The campaign's powerful message was also presented to students through a short speaking program followed by a documentary featuring families impacted by texting and driving accidents. 

"I can tell you, the hardest part of my job is dealing with families who lost a loved one," said Assistant AG Sullivan. "No matter how many times you try to comfort them, they will never get over the loss of a child. I'll give thousands of tickets if it means that one more family has a full table on Thanksgiving."

"No text message is more important than your life," said Shannon.

"Please don't make me or one of my officers have to go to your home one day with the news that you've been in an accident or worse. This is one duty that I'd really like to eliminate in law enforcement, but you have to do your part," Chief Volpe told students. "Help us so that we can help you be safer out there. When you get behind the wheel, put the phone away, make that conscience decision to ignore it while you're driving. Like the program says, it can wait."

Students then signed a pledge to not text and drive during their lunch periods.

Coventry High School was the third stop in the tour of approximately 19 schools that will view the presentation by year end.