HANNIBAL,MO -- The Missouri Department of Transportation announces on Friday evening, September 2, the Northeast Region Coalition for Roadway Safety and its partners will be in Kahoka at the Clark County Indians versus Scotland County Tigers football game to encourage students to take the pledge to "Not Text and Drive". "What better place to get the "message" across to our young drivers than a football game," said Robin Kovar, who works for the Clark County Sheriff's Department and is one of the coalition partners. "Texting while driving takes your eyes off the road for an average of 5 seconds; at 55 mph that's driving the length of a football field completely blind," she added.
Students from each school will have the opportunity to "Pledge to NOT txt n drive" by putting their thumb print on a banner, as well as sign their name. Students will register for gifts by signing a pledge card with the same message and will be given a pledge card to remind them to Arrive Alive. This event is intended to be an encouraging and positive reminder for students to act responsibly when driving. At halftime a student from each school will be drawn and given a $25 gas card donated by Ayers Oil, Inc.
The Missouri law, which went into effect in August 2009, prohibits drivers 21 years of age or younger from sending, reading, or writing an electronic message while driving. The law classifies a violation as an infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $200 and as a moving violation; punishable by an assessment of point's on the driver's license.
To learn more about impaired driving or other safety programs, visit saveMOlives.com or contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK MoDOT (275-6636). You can also visit us online at www.modot.mo.gov/northeast.
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