"X the Text" campaign

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - It's a major problem on the roads and 22News is working for you to bring awareness to the issue of texting while driving. 22News is launching a major campaign called "X the Text." 22News explores just how much at is at stake if you choose to text and drive.

"When you're texting or trying to send a message your taking somebody else's life into your own hands", says Enfield's Frank Phelps.

Jeremy Procon is the President of Interstate Towing in Chicopee. He sees first hand the damage you can do if you're texting while driving.

"We've seen an increase in the amount of accidents, due to texting in the past few years. At least two or three a month that we suspect of texting while driving", says Procon.

One way to limit your temptation to text is by tossing your phone in your trunk for long drives. Many teenagers don't have that option, they have to follow their parents ground rules.

"She knows the rules that her phone is checked and will be checked to see if she is using it at all", says Easthampton's Kathy Mitchell.

Mitchell worries about her daughter texting while driving and has to contend with many other drivers on the road.

"They speed up they slow down, they speed up they slow down they're swerving all over the road. I do whatever I can to get away from them", says Mitchell.

22News spent ten minutes on the corner of Riverdale and Morgan Roads in West Springfield, counting how many people were using their phones. 15 were on the phone, another four were texting. This was at 11am.

Massachusetts police are handing out about three citations a day for sending texts. If a teenager gets caught once they can lose their license, but just about everywhere you turn someone is texting and driving.

"I went through a four-way stop sign, of course I was stopped. I watched a Honda go right through the 4-way stop sign he didn't even look up he was looking at his phone", says Procon.

The 22News XtheTXT campaign is sponsored by Jerry Rome Nissan, Interstate Towing, O'Connell's Convenience Plus, and Country Bank. By logging on WWLP.com, people can download a pledge not to text while driving. Next month, 22News will be distributing thumb bands as a visual reminder not to text behind the wheel.