Senator and officers push texting and driving bill

DAVIE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A US senator joined forces with South Florida officers to drive home the dangers of texting while driving. They want a bill passed making it illegal.

They call it "driving while intexticated." One minute you're texting away, the next you lose control. "Many, many lives could be affected," said Attorney Rusty Perez, "because of that one decision, for that one split second, for that one quick text that really could've waited."

A car crash is 23 times more likely to happen if you are texting. "There will be no more distracted driving in the state of Florida," said Florida Democratic State Senator Maria Sachs.

Senator Sachs has now filed new legislation that, if passed, will ban texting and driving in Florida. "We're gonna put a stop to it," said Sachs, "and we're gonna put a stop to it this year."

"It's combustible," said Broward Sheriff Scott Israel. "It doesn't mix. Like alcohol and driving, texting and driving doesn't mix."

Florida is one of the handful of states that does not have restrictions on texting and driving. The bill will now make its way to the state Senate and House of Representatives. "Not only does it put our children in jeopardy," said Sachs, "but our citizens in jeopardy. We're gonna win this one for Florida."

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