Around the Schools
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson visits Roosevelt High
School wins 'Save it Seattle' contest and pledges to stop texting and driving
With more than 800 pledges, Roosevelt High School let it be known loud and clear that they are against texting and driving. And to celebrate this massive turnout for the "Save it Seattle" campaign, Roosevelt welcomed Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson to their campus March 22.
Wilson signed autographs, took photos with students and staff, and spoke at an assembly in the gym.
The Verizon Wireless "Save It Seattle” contest challenged students at four Seattle high schools to take a pledge against texting and driving. Roosevelt received the highest number of pledges from the four schools who competed to win an appearance by Wilson.
Wilson led the Seahawks to an 11-5 season last year and the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. He was also named the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year. Wilson helped launch the “Save It Seattle” campaign with Verizon Wireless in December to prevent texting and driving in Seattle and other communities.
Some statistics about texting and driving
• Studies show that the time it takes to glance down at a phone or type a reply – approximately 4.6 seconds – can be like driving the length of a football field, blindfolded. Despite the danger, more than 100,000 people are texting and driving at any given moment, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• The danger is even more prevalent for younger drivers. According to distraction.gov, 11 percent of drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted when the accident occurred.
• In addition to being dangerous, it’s also illegal in many places – 39 states and Washington D.C. have banned text messaging for all drivers.
Watch what Russell Wilson has to say about ending texting and driving and take the pledge: www.verizoninsider.com/saveitseattle
Photo by Robert Teodosio/Seattle Public Schools
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson signs a photo for a student at Roosevelt High School.