WTNH News 8 Launches ‘W82TXT’

NEW HAVEN, CT (WTNH) - WTNH News 8 announces the launch of W82TXT (Wait to Text), a community awareness campaign, to encourage drivers not to text while behind the wheel. News 8 is handing out red thumb bands, with the W82TXT message. The bands are designed to remind people, not to text while driving.

Texting while driving is the most dangerous form of distracted driving. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says drivers who text, are six times more likely to cause an accident than intoxicated drivers. This scary statistic is perhaps because when texting, the driver’s steering capability goes down 91%.

“Though the statistics regarding texting and driving are readily available, it is still a practice that is remarkably prevalent on our roadways,” said Mark Higgins, Vice-President and General Manager of WTNH/WCTX. “This campaign will augment News 8’s commitment to producing stories relevant to the safety and well-being of our viewers. Simply waiting to text could prevent numerous accidents and have a positive effect on our community.”

The W82TXT thumb bands are being distributed and worn as a reminder of the W82TXT message. News 8 Traffic Reporter, Teresa LaBarbera, will be on hand to distribute W82TXT thumb bands at Personal Touch Car Wash, at 490 Foxon Boulevard in New Haven, on Friday, March 25th from 11:00am-1:00pm, and on Wednesday, April 6th from 11:00am-1:00pm, at Shaker KIA, 1230 Main Street in Watertown. There will be a third event, in association with Premier Subaru at the Bridgeport Bluefish game, on Sunday, May 1st.

News 8’s W82TXT partners include Haymond Law Firm, All-Star Driver, North Haven Auto Body, Personal Touch Car Wash, Premier Subaru, Shaker Family Ford and Shaker’s KIA.

Visit www.wtnh.com to find out how you can join the campaign and to find the nearest location where the W82TXT bands are available. W82TXT and help save someone’s life… maybe even your own.