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Students learn about risks of texting while driving
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High school students at Black Hawk Schools participated in the "It Can Wait" campaign on April 13. Pictured, from left, is Principal Cory Milz; State Trooper Jeff Hill; Rep. Todd Novak; Reesan Ruch, Ryan Quinn, Kayla Sigafus, all students; and Katie Mueller of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. (Photo supplied)
SOUTH WAYNE - Over 100 students at Black Hawk High School learned about the dangers of texting while driving and were urged to take the pledge to never text behind the wheel at www.ItCanWait.com on April 13.

Black Hawk High School teamed up with AT&T, AAA, Town and Country Insurance Services, the Wisconsin State Patrol and State Rep. Todd Novak as part of the It Can Wait movement to remind students that text messages can wait until after driving.

The assembly was part of a series of events being held at high schools across the state this school year by AT&T, AAA and the Wisconsin State Patrol to drive home the dangers of texting and driving and encourage teens to take the pledge.

During today's event, teens learned about "#X" - a new social tool introduced as part of the It Can Wait campaign. The school was also presented with two permanent It Can Wait parking lot signs that remind students to never text and drive.

"#X" is a tool that teens can use to pause a text or social conversation before beginning to drive. The symbol is a way for teens to quickly let their friends know that they are about to drive and won't be responding to texts or social media until they arrive safely at their destination.

Students were given the chance to experience the dangers of texting while driving in a safe setting through AAA's distracted driving simulator. They were also shown a documentary produced by AT&T called "The Last Text" that shares real stories about lives ended by someone's decision to text and drive.

AT&T first launched the It Can Wait campaign in 2009 to educate the public about the dangers of texting while driving and encourage consumers to take the pledge to not text and drive. For more information, visit www.ItCanWait.com.