Florida is moving ahead with a new law to crack down on texting while driving.
Texting while driving is considered a secondary offense in Florida, meaning an offender has to be committing another traffic infraction, like speeding, before an officer can punish someone for texting on the road.
Florida is one of only four states where texting while driving is a secondary offense.
Senate Bill 90 would make it a primary offense.
Read: Florida lawmakers to discuss texting and driving bill
The bill has cleared two Senate panels and the Legislature may pass it during session Friday.
In an interview with 9 Investigates reporter Christopher Heath, Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran said it is past time for Florida to catch up with the rest of the country.
"We've gone and looked at the best aspects of the other states and protected everyone's civil liberties, and we have a law that is going to save lives,” he said.
If passed, Florida will join 43 other states where texting while driving is a primary offense.
In those states, on average, the number of serious accidents fell by about 7 percent, saving about 19 lives.
Heath will also go live on WFTV's Facebook page to answer your questions about the bill.
Be sure to tune in to Channel at 5:45 p.m. to participate in a live poll about the issue. You will be notified the polling has started through an alert on our mobile news app, which you can download here.
Watch: 9 facts about distracted driving
Cox Media Group
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