AT&T, one of the largest cell phone providers in the world, created the “It Can Wait” campaign in 2010 to advocate for non-distracted driving. Now, the campaign is coming to Robinson to continue spreading awareness.

AT&T will sponsor an in-school assembly this Friday, August 25. Assistant Principal for Curriculum, Jennifer Rosage is eager to have such an important movement take place on campus.

“[The assembly] is a pledge for our students to take for no distracted driving,” Rosage said.

Though the campaign primarily focuses on discouraging cellphone use while behind the wheel, all distractions can be life-threatening and should be avoided at all times.

“[Distractions] includes everything. It’s not just texting,” Rosage said. “It’s your music…talking to people, eating…it covers everything.”

Sarah Sanford, sponsor of the Student Government program and AP Environmental Science teacher, also expresses the importance of the assembly.

“The incidents of car accidents from distracted driving have really gone up in the past couple of years,” Sanford said. “They’re really trying to put forth effort to decrease mortalities and accidents.”

Assembly attendance is mainly based off of invitation. Because drivers are the subject of conversation, all students enrolled in a drivers education course have been invited to attend. However, everybody is encouraged to take action.

“All the students have to do is go online to ItCanWait.com,” Sanford says. “They can take a pledge saying they promise not to text while drive or drive distracted.”

After the students have made their pledge, their names enter a pool with a chance to be picked to attend the assembly. Numerous Robinson students have already taken the pledge.

“I got into my first car accident about a year ago,” Paola Nazario (’18) said. “The guy that hit me was on his phone. So, it was important for me and others to pledge.”

Hillsborough County Superintendent, Jeff Eakins, will make an appearance at the assembly and offer a few words to advocate for responsible driving.

“Any time we can do something we think benefits our students, we do,” Rosage said regarding the campaign. “…we can get the word out to a small group and then it can spread.”