GEICO, the insurance company, is supporting the Texas Department of Transportation, at least at the state's highway rest stops and travel center areas.
Approaching those centers, today's driver will see a roadside sign that says: "Rest Area. Safe Phone Zone. Sponsored by GEICO."
"Yes, it's our first time to have sponsorships of those signs at rest areas, so people will be encouraged to pull off, take a rest, use their cellphones and drive safely," said Marcus Sandifer, public information officer for TxDOT's Atlanta district.
"We've been having this sponsorship since November," he said.
"This joins some other sponsorships TxDOT has, such as ones for litter pickup bags and ads in the Texas Highways magazine. They help
pay for these efforts and
receive advertisement for themselves. GEICO is interested in safe driving, especially that of their insurance customers."
Sandifer also noted that Texas's travel centers and rest stop areas have free Wi-Fi access as well.
"That's what the 'Safe phone zone' wording means," he
said.
The GEICO sign can only be seen on U.S. Highway 59 at the center of the county because that's the only rest stop here. But the signs are across the state.
A look at GEICO's website says the company supports "good causes, volunteers, education and green efforts."