Submitted by Mary Eva Tredway

Publicity Director at Butin Integrated Communications

Georgia Educator and Two Legislators to Be Honored in Atlanta

By National Student Campaign Against Deadly Driving Epidemic

In recognition of the Hands-Free Georgia Act, which goes into effect July 1, 2018, TextLess Live More (TLLM), a student-led, national awareness campaign to end distracted driving, will hold a press conference and awards ceremony at 2 p.m. on July 2 in the South Wing of the Georgia State Capitol.

The Hands-Free Georgia Act (House Bill 673) prohibits motorists from handling their cell phones while driving.  The bill was signed into law by Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal on May 2, 2018, making Georgia the 16th state in the nation to pass hands-free legislation.

During the July 2 event at the State Capitol, TLLM will acknowledge the many individuals and groups that worked tirelessly in support of HB 673 and also will provide details about its next steps in the battle against distracted driving – including a new public service campaign and a new collaboration with StopDistractions.org.  Presentations of the TextLess Live More Service Award and the TextLess Live More Hero Award also will be made.  The three honorees are state Rep. John Carson, state Sen. P.K. Martin, and a Georgia educator (name to be announced).

The TextLess Live More activities July 2 are in honor of Merritt Levitan, an 18-year-old woman who was hit by a distracted driver on July 2, 2013 – nearly five years to the day before Hands-Free Georgia takes effect.  Levitan died of her injuries the day after being hit by the vehicle, which was being driven by a young motorist.  Recognizing digital distraction and distracted driving as the critical issue facing their generation, Levitan’s high school friends founded TextLess Live More in the aftermath of her death.  TextLess Live More’s mission is to end distracted driving, prevent accidents associated with distracted driving, and save lives.

TextLess Live More is a partner of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), the nation’s premier youth health and safety organization, which also seeks to end distracted driving and the loss of life and serious injuries it causes.

About TextLess Live More

TextLess Live More is a student-led, peer-to-peer national awareness campaign whose mission is to save lives by ending distracted driving permanently; prevent tragic accidents caused by distracted driving; and educate audiences and raise awareness about the real dangers of distracted driving such as texting, streaming, posting and other forms of digital distraction behind the wheel.  TextLess Live More was founded by friends of 18-year-old Merritt Levitan, a high school graduate who lost her life on July 3, 2013, a day after being hit by a young motorist who was texting while driving.  TextLess Live More, which is a national partner of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), has been presented to schools and

communities nationally, including those throughout the state of Georgia. www.textlesslivemore.org

About SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions)

For nearly 40 years, SADD, the nation’s premier youth health and safety organization, has worked to empower teens, engage parents, mobilize communities and change lives around the issues of traffic safety, substance abuse, and personal health and safety.  Through a national network of peer-led chapters in middle schools, high schools and colleges, SADD equips students with the resources they need to advocate change on their campuses and within their communities.  Headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, SADD became a partner of TextLess Live More on April 5, 2018.  www.sadd.org

Butin Integrated Communications

mtredway@butincom.com