News 12 at 11 o'clock, February 3, 2010

AUGUSTA Ga. ---Lawmakers in both Georgia and South Carolina are looking into banning texting while driving. But the Palmetto State's House Education Subcommittee isn't stopping there. On Wednesday they approved a measure that says drivers could not talk with a phone to their ear or text. Offenders could face a fine for the misdemeanor and get two points on their license.

Lawmakers say the bill has a better chance of passing if it only outlaws texting. The bill banning texting while driving in Georgia is still making its way through the house.

Some law enforcement officers say it is not just texting or making phone calls that's the problem, but distracted drivers in general. When we're behind the wheel many of us are concentrating on other things and not the road.

"I don't know if its important or not but I just keep my eyes on the road," says Candace Green.

"There's a lot of accidents that's been going on lately and it could be from talking on the cell phone."

Green is the exception when it comes to using her cell phone when she's behind the wheel. She says if her phone rings or if a text messages comes in she ignores it. Corporal Gary Jones with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office says that's the best thing to do.

"Driving is a skill that requires a lot of attention," says Jones.

Jones says he's seen a lot of accidents that have involved texting and drivers being distracted.

"Witnesses have indicated that the driver of the at fault vehicle was utilizing a cell phone and further investigation did prove that to be the case," adds Jones.

The Georgia legislature is considering a bill that would ban texting for all drivers. It would fine texting drivers and possibly add points to your license. But Corporal Jones says enforcing the law could be difficult.

"How can we as police officers determine that a person actually texted at that time or were utilizing their cellphone those are some issues that has to be ironed out," he says.

"I know it's not safe and a lot of time when I'm in the car with them(friends)so I tell them -- no you need to put it up."

Candace wants her friends to keep their eyes and thoughts on the road. She hopes they don't get pulled over by Corporal Jones.

"Anytime you divert that attention,to whether it be talking on a cell phone or texting you take away from your attention span of driving," says Jones."For the time it takes you to text and you're looking down and texting before you know it you've traveled a good many feet and you could strike the rear end of a vehicle."

If texting is banned in the state of Georgia it is a fine and up to 2 points on your driver's license. Right now Corporal Jones says they can't enforce it because again it hasn't gone into law. Some other states have already banned texting.