Sep 20, 2013 3 min read

Corey Bucher learned the hard way that texting while operating a motor vehicle is not a good idea.

“I totaled my first car while texting,” said the 19-year-old senior at Trinity High School as he signed a banner pledging not to text while driving. “I did it then, but not any more.”

Bucher, of Amwell Township, said he suffered a mild concussion in the crash.

Trinity High School students, along with students from Bethlehem-Center, Chartiers-Houston, Peters Township, Ringgold and Washington high schools, participated this week in the first “It Can Wait” pledge day. It is part of a national campaign aimed at educating the public so that texting and driving becomes as unacceptable as drinking and driving. Schools received a poster that was signed by students pledging not to text and drive.

Jay Ofsanik, safety press officer for the state Department of Transportation’s District 12, which includes Washington County, said texting while driving is a big problem.

“Kids walk and text or sit at home and text,” Ofsanik said. “It is entwined in their life, and they have a hard time separating it from driving.

“Texting is so instantaneous,” he added. “These kids think their friends will think they are mad at them if they don’t send them a response immediately.”

Baylie Swart, 17, of South Strabane Township, said she does not text and drive.

“I think some kids are naive about it,” said the Trinity senior and member of the school’s SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) program. “My friends are actually pretty good about not texting and driving, too.”

Soleil Thompson, an 18-year-old senior from Canton Township, also is a member of SADD. She said the organization does different things throughout the year to promote safe driving and encourage students to make good decisions.

Many of the students are aware of or have had friends involved in some sort of accident while texting, said Shawn Trapuzzano. She and Lane Stoner are cosponsors of the SADD program at Trinity.

“There are some who think ‘I’m good, I can text and drive,'” Trapuzzano said, “They don’t realize their mind is on what they are texting and not what they are doing behind the wheel.”

Schools that participated in the campaign will be entered in a random drawing to receive five paid registrations to the upcoming statewide SADD conference at Seven Springs.

Ofsanik said the pledge to not text and drive may become an annual campaign.

Last week, Trinity students also participated in a seat belt enforcement campaign. North Franklin Township police handed out reminders to students driving off campus after classes to wear seat belts and make sure their passengers are properly restrained. A survey done the previous week at the school by the Southwest Regional Traffic Safety Network found that 79 percent of the boy drivers were wearing seat belts, while 88 percent of the girl drivers buckled up.