We’ve all seen it; most of us have done it. While we drive around on daily errands, this now illegal act is rampant. Especially in the long line of traffic that forms after school, you can see kids texting while they drive.  As of this week, if a police officer catches them blatantly texting, they’ll receive more than a scolding.

                For those who think texting while driving isn’t a distraction, the statistics  prove them  wrong. According to JSOnline 5,780 people were killed in car accidents in which driver distraction was cited as the reason for the crash. 

                “This is more serious than drunk driving, because your eyes are off the road for just too long,” said Rep. Peter Barca of Kenosha to JSOnline.

                Receiving an inattentive driving ticket will take 4 points of your license and cost for up to $400 for a first offense, and $800 for a second.

                Students are beginning to notice the heat that texting while driving is starting. But now that it has been made illegal drivers may ditch the bad habit.

                “I always check my phone while I’m driving, but I don’t actually text. I’ll probably just try to leave my phone in my purse, so I’m not even tempted to mess with it,” says senior Chelsea Herzog.

                While some students may use the new law as a reason to leave their phone alone as they drive, others were able to resist the temptation altogether.

                “I’m not surprised they banned texting while you drive. It’s super dangerous, and you shouldn’t be doing it anyway,” says junior Allie Jorgenson.