Texting can wait

Distracted driving is a problem. There's the radio and phone conversations, but today's technology has led to more people texting while driving. This is scary.

Text messaging should not take precedence over driving. Quite simply: It can wait.

With this in mind, AT&T and the Missouri Press Association have partnered to promote the It Can Wait contest for high school students.

The Southeast Missourian has joined this effort and is encouraging high school students to submit an opinion column of no more than 500 words on the importance of not texting while driving.

The deadline to submit your column is 5 p.m. Oct. 19. The local winner will receive a $50 gift card to AT&T, $25 gas card to Amerimart and three-month subscription to the Southeast Missourian.

All finalists, along with the winning entry, will be published in the Southeast Missourian.

Columns must answer the question: "Why is it important to take the It Can Wait pledge to never text and drive?" It also must include the following statement, "Take the pledge to never text and drive at ItCanWait.com." For full contest rules, visit semissourian.com/forms/itcanwait.

To submit your column, fill out the form at semissourian.com/forms/itcanwait. Entries also may be dropped off at the Southeast Missourian or mailed to: Southeast Missourian, c/o assistant managing editor Lucas Presson, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, MO 63702.

To learn more about the It Can Wait contest, visit www.itcanwait.com. We look forward to reading your columns.