"People die. A split second decision can hurt,” said Roanoke resident Terry Lee Gower.
And it’s for that reason, the National Transportation Safety Board is urging all 50 states to ban all cell phone use, hands free included, while driving.
"It's a hazard on the road,” said Tina Conner.
According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, more than 20% of crashes statewide last year were caused by distracted driving, killing 122 people.
State leaders, like Delegate Greg Habeeb (R-Salem, 8th District), say it’s an issue that’s definitely on their radar.
"There are almost always bills across the spectrum on limiting the use of devices in cars,” said Del. Habeeb. “I expect we'll see those again. We may be moving towards tougher restrictions on use of cell phones."
But is an all out ban on the horizon?
"I was frankly a little surprised that the NTSB pushed for essentially a blanket ban on all usage including hands free,” said Habeeb.
"I'm not sure the citizens are ready for that,” said State Senator John Edwards (D-Roanoke, 20th District).
Despite the NTSB’s push, Sen. Edwards doesn’t think a ban would pass in Virginia right now – and believes it will be years before one could.
"I think the public needs to be behind it before it's going to pass,” said Edwards. “I think the public needs to understand how distracting it is. And you need an alternative as well, for example, hands free."
Habeeb is also skeptical, but says as the awareness continues to build, so will the conversations in Richmond.
"We don't want to be heavy handed, but we want to look out for public safety,” said Habeeb.
In a recent survey by AAA, 66% of Virginians polled said they would favor a ban on texting and cell phone use while driving.
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