The Child Fatality Panel has been helping to get the word out at Newton County High Schools about the dangers of texting and driving.

The panel has placed signs that say “Do not text and drive; always wear a seatbelt” in the driveways of Alcovy, Eastside and Newton high schools this school year.

“We have worked some deaths that we believe were related to texting causing fatalities,” Newton County Coroner Tommy Davis said. “We wanted to get the message out to not text and always wear a seat belt.

“You can’t hear that message too often.”

The Child Fatality Panel is made up of Davis, Oxford Police Chief Dave Harvey, Covington Police Lt. Mark Jones, Kathryn Rider, William D. Thomas, Child Fatality Panel Chairperson Suzanne Dobbs, Leslie Smith, Yvette Zielenski, Jean Frazier, Jemecia Calvin and Porterdale Police Chief Jason Cripps.