Texting While Driving Ban Starts in Tennessee

It will now cost you $50 if you're caught texting while driving in Tennessee.

The new law took effect Wednesday July 1st.

Lawmakers and police think it's new incentive for folks to cut out the dangerous practice.

Most are on board but some remain defiant.

Brittany Daniels, "They'll be like trying to see."

Just about everybody has a texting while driving story.

A close call,

Daniels, "I think it's dangerous that and talking on the phone. I've been in a few situations in my car where me and my mom when we're driving and some lady just gets in your lane and just totally takes over."

Or a collision.

Kimi Gregg, "I've actually had someone who ran into my car one time when she was texting."Gregg, "It was just a fender bender. She just creamed the front end of my car. Took the front end of my car off."

Now law enforcement has a new weapon they hope will encourage people to keep the texting off the roads...a new Tennessee law with a $50 fine.

Matt Myers, "Makes you think twice before doing it."

Officer Joe Warren, Chattanooga Police, "We will enforce it if we see it."

Officer Joe Warren warns contrary to popular belief it won't be difficult to spot violators.

Officer Warren, "It's easier to tell the difference between someone dialing a phone number as opposed to texting because dialing a phone number they're done in a second or two and they're talking."

He expects 80 to 90 percent of people will abide by the law.

David Ledford, "It's like an urge. You get up in the morning you brush your teeth. You get in the car I gotta start texting I don't know."

Die hard texters like David Ledford make up the exception.

Ledford, "Some people they just won't care like me personally I'll probably just put my hand down a little bit lower so nobody can see."

Even those who admit to texting behind the wheel realize it's dangerous.

A recent study in Car and Driver magazine found texting can be more dangerous than driving while drunk.

Police say it takes your attention off the road reducing your reaction time.