At any given moment on Florida highways and roads, it's a safe bet drivers are guilty of this kind of bad behavior.
"I go right to the phone," said driver Roberto Perez. "I'm not justifying it. It's not right, but it's just a bad habit."
Roberto Perez admited to doing what a new survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says half of young drivers in America do: text from the driver's seat.
"There's a Pembroke Pines police officer sitting in the car next to me and he was texting away," said driver Denise Miller.
Florida is one of 15 states without such a ban. Senator Nancy Detert (R-Venice) has sponsored a bill so officers can issue tickets, if the driver has already been pulled over for another offense. The bill has been filed for the new legislative session in January.
The penalty for the first violation is a $30 fine, $60 dollars for the second one in five years and three points on a driver's license.
Some are saying it's just not enough.
"This is as dangerous as driving drunk so it should be a lot," said driver Barry Saltzman.
Most drivers agree sending messages on the road is unacceptable, but similar bills in Florida have been killed in recent years.
Senator Ellyn Bogdanoff (R-Fort Lauderdale) blocked a ban from being heard in her House committee last year, questioning whether the law really does save lives.
Mom Denise Miller said she believes it has everything to do with accidents.
"I have four step-children from 16 to 22, and I think 'Oh dear God if they're texting they're going to be killed'."
