AT&T asks Americans to stop texting and driving

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois is one of several states backing a campaign by AT&T to get Americans to sign a pledge not to text behind the wheel, with Gov. Pat Quinn declaring September “Texting and Driving Awareness Month.”

The issue has gained national attention with more crashes linked to email and text messaging and research showing the practice is especially widespread among teens. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has called it a “national epidemic.”