The “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” ad campaign is back for its fifth year, targeting drivers between 18 and 34 across all media platforms, with the goal of reducing distracted driving deaths.
The campaign is a $5 million national media buy conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It’s part of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and can be heard throughout the nation, in both English and Spanish.
“Cell phones have a place in our lives, but not while driving,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi King said. “Everyone should understand the very real dangers of texting while driving. Taking your eyes off the road for a moment is all it takes to cause a crash and change lives forever. Remember, no text or call is worth a life.”
The campaign urges a number of measures to prevent such accidents, including turning off electronic devices before driving, speaking up to others who do so, setting an example to the young, and always wearing a seatbelt. NHTSA data from 2016 revealed that at least 3,450 people were killed by distracted drivers.
At this time, 47 states, as well as Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have banned text messaging while driving. Additionally, 15 states along with the latter territories ban drivers from completely using cell phones while driving.