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SAPD warns texting while driving can kill, numbers back up claim

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by Gary Cooper / KENS 5

Bio | Email | Follow: @MrGaryCooper

kens5.com

Posted on September 19, 2012 at 8:09 PM

It has been blamed for thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries on the nation’s highways.

Law enforcement officials see the problem of texting while driving.

This week, officials partnered with AT&T and started a week-long campaign for others to pledge not to text while behind the wheel.

In a video produced by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, State Trooper Robbie Barrera  says, “Texting and driving is equal to being legally intoxicated.”

To further that, Matthew Porter from the San Antonio Police Department claims, “Texts can wait. No text is worth you loosing your life or causing an accident or injury to you or anybody else.”

National traffic numbers back that claim.

In 2011, more than 6,000 were killed in the U.S. because of people distracted behind the wheel.

TxDOT claims this year alone more than 2,000 have died while using a portable device while driving.

“We tell the public if you feel the need to do that-  it is that important - pull over, stop driving. Send the text and you can get back on the road. But don’t text while you are driving. It’s not worth it,” Porter added.

Police in San Antonio say so far this year they have issued more than 600 citations for texting while driving. They warn that with school underway, using a cell phone while driving in a school zone will double the fine.

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