END DISTRACTED DRIVING
PROMOTE DIGITAL WELLNESS
LIVE MORE EVERY DAY
TLLM’S
STORY
MERRITT
Merritt Levitan was an accomplished 18 year old hit by a young, distracted driver who was texting behind the wheel on July 2, 2013.
Merritt sustained a traumatic brain injury and died the next day on July 3, 2013.
MERRITT DIED BECAUSE OF 4 SECONDS OF TEXTING.
TLLM’S
STORY
TextLess Live More was founded by Merritt’s high school friends, who were compelled to turn their grief into action to save lives and prevent tragic crashes. Blue was Merritt’s favorite color. It is now the color of the TextLess Live More logo and signature blue bracelet. Merritt loved to ski, hike and bike. She loved the outdoors and especially Sugarbush Mountain in Vermont. Our logo embraces Merritt’s Live More spirit.
OUR INSPIRATION
MERRITT LIVED A LIFE OF PURPOSE,
AND NOW SHE HAS GIVEN US PURPOSE
Drivers under the age of 20 have the highest rate of fatal crashes related to distraction
Mental distractions can last up to 27 seconds after a text or distraction occurs
In 2023, 3,275 people died in distraction-affected crashes
Texting makes a crash up to 23x more likely
Distraction plays a factor in 14% of all crashes
9 people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in distracted driving crashes each day
distracted driving THE FACTS
84% of adults cannot go an entire day without their phone in-hand
5 years is the average time a person will spend their life on social media
47%
47% of Americans do not have a meaningful in-person social interaction on a daily basis
American adults spend 11 hrs everyday engaging with some form of media
85%
85% of smartphone users will check their phones while speaking with friends and family
84%
2/3 of Americans say that they somewhat or strongly agree that 'unplugging,' is important to their mental health
digital wellness THE FACTS
2/3
5 YEARS
11 HOURS
DISCUSSION Q’S
Do you have a healthy relationship with your phone?
1
What are some strategies to work on both in and out of school to make our relationship with technology healthier?
2
What are some practical approaches to follow while driving a vehicle to avoid phone use?
3
WHAT’S NEXT
Host a pledge event
Run a Text Check activity in your schools parking lot
Host a Table Tent activity at lunch
GET CREATIVE!
A hike…
A tournament…
An open mic…
Organize phone-free events, such as…
And more!
SAVE LIVES
Most importantly, continue the conversation.
Share TextLess Live More with your family & friends.
Challenge yourself & your peers to bring more awareness to how you engage with technology, especially while driving.
JOIN THE MISSION