One Brooklyn
October 25, 2014
BROOKLYN, NY, October 24, 2014: Yesterday, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams demonstrated AT&T’s “Texting While Driving” simulator, along with AT&T New York State President Marissa Shorenstein and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) officials, in Columbus Park to promote safe driving standards in support of the City’s Vision Zero initiative. The simulator is a 3D driving experience, complete with a chair, steering wheel and pedals, during which users navigate a virtual roadway and adhere to common driving laws, such as speed limits and red lights, while texting. Passersby had the chance to join Borough President Adams in trying out the simulator and experiencing first-hand the potentially devastating consequences of distracted driving. In addition to his demonstration, Borough President Adams spoke to the importance of advancing street safety in Brooklyn and took the “It Can Wait” pledge to never text while driving, which has also been taken by millions of Americans nationwide; this pledge was taken during National Teen Driver Safety Week, conducted annually during the third week in October.
“We are on the road toward Vision Zero in Brooklyn, but careless acts like texting while driving threaten to take us off course,” said Borough President Adams. “The marriage between safety and technology has been at the core of my career in service. Today’s event is a continuation of that commitment and part of our citywide push for enhanced public safety. It also shows how technology leaders like AT&T are partnering with the public sector to raise awareness of safety issues like texting while driving.”
Thousands of New Yorkers are affected by distracted driving and distracted mobility each year. Individuals who drive while sending or reading text messages are 23 percent more likely to be involved in a car crash than other drivers. A crash typically happens within an average of three seconds after a driver is distracted.
“The most common reason for a crash is driver inattention in New York City,” said Michelle Kaucic, NYC DOT’s Director of Strategic Communications. “That is why the DOT remains committed to educating all New Yorkers about safe driving habits so that we can collectively reach Vision Zero.”
“While technology has allowed people to connect in extraordinary ways, we must be mindful of the ways that it can potentially create dangerous distractions, especially on our roads,” said Marissa Shorenstein, New York State President of AT&T. “We believe government and the private sector should work together on sustained education and awareness campaigns, and we are grateful to Borough President Adams and the City’s Department of Transportation for their commitment to this issue.”
PHOTOS
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams promotes safe driving standards in support of the City’s Vision Zero initiative and AT&T’s “It Can Wait” pledge in the rotunda of Brooklyn Borough Hall; also pictured is (from left to right) Michelle Kaucic, NYC DOT Director of Strategic Communications, Marissa Shorenstein, New York State President of AT&T and Phillip Hinton of the NYC DOT.
Photo Credit: Kathryn Kirk/BP’s Office
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams joins Marissa Shorenstein, New York State President of AT&T, in taking their “It Can Wait” pledge in the rotunda of Brooklyn Borough Hall, as he promoted safe driving standards in support of the City’s Vision Zero initiative.
Photo Credit: Kathryn Kirk/BP’s Office
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams joins Griffin Hagler, AT&T tour manager for their “It Can Wait” Campaign, as he demonstrated AT&T’s “Texting While Driving” simulator in the rotunda of Brooklyn Borough Hall to promote safe driving standards in support of the City’s Vision Zero initiative.
Photo Credit: Kathryn Kirk/BP’s Office
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