It's become a common practice, but starting tomorrow it'll get you a ticket. A new law that goes into affect tomorrow will change your habits behind the wheel.
In Iowa, if you text while you drive today you might just be one of the many distracted drivers on our roads. If you text while you drive tomorrow, you will be breaking the law.
Texting while driving, many of us are guilty of getting behind the wheel and hitting send.
"I have a few times" Says Garry Hill of Sioux City.
"I have done it before and yea, I don't anymore because I suck at it!" Says Vicki Moreno of Sioux City.
As more studies show the dangers of texting while driving, the state of Iowa is fighting back. Starting July 1st, drivers under the age of 18 are banned from using a cell phone while driving.
And all drivers are banned from writing, sending or reading a text message.
"In the state of Iowa, we are allowed to pull over anyone we suspect is texting, so if we see their phone up or it looks like they're talking on their phone and it looks like they might not be the appropriate age– then that is probable cause enough for us to stop." Says Sioux City Police Officer, Jeremy McClure.
Experts say texting and driving is equivalent to drinking and driving. For law enforcement officials– that means the signs a driver is doing either one– are very similar.
"All the Sioux city police department cars are equipped with dash cams, so that will aid in it as well. We've all seen people driving and texting– its pretty obvious what they're doing." Says Officer McClure.
The law is meant to make our roads a little safer, but are drivers getting the message?
"Personally, I think it's great. I don't think you should be reading texts, I know if I try to test and drive, I'm a mess. Especially with those new touch phones." Says Vicki Moreno.
"I feel as though it should keep the roads safe but it is invading everybody's privacy by pulling people over just because of that." Says Hill.
"I think if you were to text and drive, you would run off the side of the road or something, so I actually think it's a good idea." Says Marissa Moreno.
Law enforcement officials can't expect everyone to know the texting ban law goes into affect tomorrow–so for the first year– from July of 2010 to July of 2011– drivers will be given warnings if they're pulled over.
But after one year, fines will be given because you will be breaking the law.
