American Idol Star Urges Teens To Stop Texting And Driving

WASHINGTON - Texting behind the wheel of a car is a growing menace, with nearly 6,000 people dying in 2008 in crashes involving districted drivers.

American Idol season six winner Jordin Sparks joined Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Congressional leaders and officials from Allstate Insurance to encourage young people to stop texting and driving.

There are bans against texting and driving in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Despite that, a recent study by the Allstate Foundation found that 82 percent of driving teens use their cell phones when they get behind the wheel.

At a news conference in Washington D.C., teens involved with the National Organizations for Youth Safety took the "thumbs up" X the TXT pledge, promising not to do it.

Transportation Secretary LaHood said he realizes young people think they are invincible, but said it is time to change the culture where anybody thinks it is okay to text and drive. He suggests when you get into a car, you need to buckle up and put your cell phone in the glove compartment.

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Allstate Teen Text Pledge