The NPG Group of stations here in Central Oregon – including News Channel 21, Fox Central Oregon, Central Oregon’s CW and Telemundo – are partnering with critical first responders, the Bend Police and Fire Departments and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Department, to launch a community wide campaign called TXT L8R. In cooperation with our TXT L8R sponsors we hope to get the message out and make a difference in our community using the powerful combination of television, web, mobile and social media.

FACTS:

• At any given moment, an estimated 800,000+ Americans are texting or making calls while driving, adults as well as teens
• 4 out of 5 accidents (80%) are attributed to distracted drivers. In contrast, drunk drivers account for 1 out of 3 accidents (33%)
• People who text while driving are 23% more likely to be in a car accident

TXT L8R Campaign Goal:

• Reduce the number of FATALITIES and ACCIDENTS caused by distracted drivers in Central Oregon
• Create awareness about the dangers of texting while driving
• Challenge Central Oregon drivers to put down their phones and TXT L8R

TAKE THE TXT L8R PLEDGE HERE !

Pledge participants receive a free “I Took the Pledge” bumper sticker. Stick it on and do your part to improve the safety of Central Oregon roads.

Stop by any of the sponsors below or the KTVZ studios at 62990 OB Riley Rd for your free “I took the pledge” decal. Thank you!

TXT L8R Local Headlines

ODOT: April is 'Distracted Driving Awareness Month'

Getting distracted while you're driving can be catastrophic: from 2009 – 2011, in Oregon, 41 people died in distracted driving crashes. Even if you were buckled up properly, obeying the speed limit and driving sober, a split-second distraction could cost a life.

Survey finds more adults texting behind wheel

A new AT&T survey finds nearly half of adults admit texting and driving - a higher percentage than teens.

TXT L8R: Faces of distraction in view

It’s a painful reality for thousands of family every year, distracted drives claims lives. Now, a federal website is highlighting some of these stories, trying to convince you to put the phone down when behind the wheel.

TXT L8R: Video puts faces to tragic distraction

NewsChannel 21's Matt McDonald continues our TXT L8R campaign with look at video that tells tragic tales of loss and pain.

Driving-Texting Near-Tragedy Inspires Run

Vicki O?Halloran knows the perils of trying to text while behind the wheel all too well. She crashed her car in La Pine in April while checking a text. Now she's hoping to inspire others to put their phones down, by running across the entire state of Oregon. Video: Text-and-Drive Crash Prompts Awareness Run