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Students are encouraged to mark the beginning of the school year by pledging to leave their phones alone while driving, says Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Robert Vessey.

“School is a great place to meet new friends and create some terrific memories – many of which are captured on a smart phone,” said the minister. “But there’s one place that your phone should never be used and that’s when you’re behind the wheel of a car.”

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), and Hot 105.5 FM are encouraging Islanders to pledge to “Leave the Phone Alone – Practice Safe Text.”

Minister Vessey, Insurance Bureau of Canada representative Amanda Dean and the Hot 105.5 FM cruiser visited Holland College’s Orientation Week today to encourage students to take the pledge.

“It’s encouraging to see so many students participating in Leave the Phone Alone, which will help ensure not only their safety but the safety of others on the road,” said Dean, Vice-President, Atlantic, IBC. “Distracted driving is a serious issue that can have fatal consequences. Together, we can help make texting and driving socially unacceptable.”

After 4,500 Islanders first took the anti-distracted-driving pledge in summer 2013, the number of distracted driving convictions throughout 2013 fell to 215 from a four-year high of 258 in 2012.

Islanders can sign the online pledge at www.hot1055fm.com and be entered to win an iPad.

Drivers caught using their hand-held device while driving in Prince Edward Island face penalties of up to $400 and three demerit points, and more severe penalties if the offense results in injury or death. For more information, visit www.leavethephonealone.ca or www.gov.pe.ca/distracteddriving.