Local School Joins "X" The "Text" Campaign

LAKE ORION (WWJ) - Don't text and drive. That's the message at Lake Orion High School where students are ready to jump into a big competition to hold them to it.
Allstate is sponsoring the nationwide competition called "X" the "Text". Lake Orion High students will take an online pledge Tuesday to put down their phones when they are in the car.

And while it's against the law to text and drive in Michigan, Orion Township Allstate agency owner Rick Spano says young drivers just don't seem to understand the consequences of texting and driving.

"You're 23 times more likely to get in a crash while you're texting and driving. You take your eyes off the road for just a couple of seconds and accidents happen. Several deaths every year are caused by people simply texting," says Spano.

Spano adds that it's a worldwide problem that Allstate is hoping to help solve. "Over 4,000 teens every year die in car crashes from distracted driving. Texting seems to be one of the largest problems that we have, nationwide and worldwide, with car crashes. Allstate is trying to help teenagers make better choices," says Spano.

Allstate is launching the competition to grow their "X" the "Text" movement in schools across the country. The winning school will pocket $10,000.