THORNDIKE —  A new texting and driving awareness campaign got underway at Mount View High School today, Sept. 11.  RSU-3 School Resource Officer Nick Oettinger teamed up with Kennebec County Sheriff's Office Captain Dennis Picard to implement 'Program 11' at the high school.  Program 11 originated from the Kennebec County Sheriff's Office; and is a program designed to regularly remind young new drivers about the hazards of texting and driving.

 Texting while driving causes an estimated 1,600,000 accidents per year, 330,000 injuries per year and 11 teen deaths every day of the year.  Approximately 25 percent of car accidents are caused by texting and driving, according to the sheriff’s office.

On (or around) the 11th day of each month, 11 11th graders will wear a shirt with the number 11 on it to remind other students of the statistic for teen deaths caused by texting and driving.  On the back of the shirt is a bar code that can be scanned into a cellular phone that directs students to a website with more information about texting and driving.  Students earn community service hours (a graduation requirement) for participating in the program.

 Program 11 is a monthly reminder to the student body to put away their cellular phones while driving.  The collaboration between the two Sheriff's Offices highlights Maine Sheriff’s 'One Team, One Mission' mindset for working to keep our newest driver's safe on the road.