Students Across the Country Rally Americans to Pledge Not to Text and Drive

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Teens say texting is the biggest distraction behind the wheel, and this week students at more than 300 American high schools have signed on to fight distracted driving as part of a teen safe driving competition from The Allstate Foundation and Channel One News. Friends and family can take the pledge to "X the TXT" on behalf of participating high schools from Feb. 7-13 at www.channelone.com/xthetxt. The school with the most online pledges (calculated as a percentage of school size) will be named the winner at the end of the competition.

The Allstate Foundation will reward the winning school with a $10,000 grant. Also, as part of National Youth Traffic Safety Month in May, rising music star Ashlyne Huff will perform a private concert at the winning school, and Channel One News anchors will tape a broadcast from the school on the day of the concert.

"By harnessing the power of positive peer influence, these students are leading the charge against the texting epidemic to make roads safer now as well as for the next generation of drivers," said Joan Walker, senior vice president of corporate relations, Allstate. "Public awareness campaigns like Allstate's X the TXT movement, SAVE 11 and Family Driving Challenge have helped fuel the conversation on distracted driving and educate America on the power of uniform, enforced graduated driver licensing laws to protect our youngest drivers from dangerous driving situations."

According to a recent Allstate Foundation study, 49 percent of teens admit to being extremely distracted by texting and instant messaging while driving. However, 82 percent of teens still say they use their cell phones behind the wheel. And, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports driver distraction contributes to 25 percent of all police-reported traffic crashes.

The competition marks the third year The Allstate Foundation and Channel One News are working together to educate and inform young adults on critical issues related to safe and responsible driving. Channel One News, the leading television news network for teens, reaches more than six million students daily through its broadcast in middle schools and high schools nationwide.

"Channel One and The Allstate Foundation's X the TXT competition is succeeding in raising awareness for a very important issue among a population of teens who are at greater risk to the dangers of texting while driving," commented Kent Haehl, CEO, Channel One Network. "We encourage all participating schools to continue building awareness and furthering their education of the dangers of texting while driving, and we look forward to rewarding the school that succeeds in garnering the highest percentage of pledges to X the TXT".

Allstate's X the TXT program is a national movement to raise awareness about the dangers of texting while driving, and encourage teens and their families to pledge not to text and drive. Today, fans of X the TXT can check out celebrity updates, share the message with online networks, and even designate an in-car texter at www.facebook.com/xthetxt, so they can stay focused on the road and in touch with their friends and family. The campaign is part of Allstate's broader efforts to make roads safer for young drivers and all American families. Since its launch, more than 125,000 people from across the country have committed to X the TXT.

About The Allstate Foundation

Established in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL). Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country, The Allstate Foundation brings the relationships, reputation and resources of Allstate to support innovative and lasting solutions that enhance people's well-being and prosperity. With a focus on teen safe driving and building financial independence for domestic violence survivors, The Allstate Foundation also promotes safe and vital communities; tolerance, inclusion, and diversity; and economic empowerment. For more information, visit www.allstate.com/foundation.

About Channel One News

Peabody and Telly Award-winning Channel One News, an Alloy Media + Marketing company, is the leading television news network for teens, reaching nearly six million young people in middle schools and high schools nationwide - broadcast each day to close to 1 in 4 of all teenagers in the U.S.  The dynamic, daily broadcast and supplementary educational resources inform, educate, and inspire teens, connecting them with important current events and the world around them.  Channel One News has covered fast-breaking global events from regions such as Haiti, Chile, Mexico, Sierra Leone, North Korea, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Germany and Qatar. Through its partnership with CBS News Productions, Channel One News draws on the vast resources of CBS News, ensuring worldwide coverage wherever and whenever news breaks - and always from a teen perspective. Channel One News programming has been featured on leading networks and news programs, including CBS, CNN, NBC Nightly News and Today Show, ABC News and Nightline. Visit the Webby Award-winning website www.ChannelOne.com to learn more.

SOURCE The Allstate Foundation