Miami Police Cracking Down on Distracted Drivers

It seems like it's getting tougher for many to ignore text messages, and if they do it behind the wheel...responding back could be a life a changer.

NEO student Kaysy Hopson says, "Things can just happen so fast..people can just look down and reply "LOL" or "K" but those 2 seconds can lead to something."

Something college student Kaysy Hopson knows all about.

Hopson says, "2 years ago in June my best friend got killed in a car accident. He was texting, turned a corner too sharp and he ended up flipping and was ejected from the car."

A sad ending that turned into a life lesson for Kaysy.

Hopson says, "After that I made a promise not just to myself, my parents, but for him."

It's cases like this that motivate police officers like Corporal Aaron Crockett with the Miami Police Department to crack down on distracted drivers.

Corporal Crockett says, "If we see you driving and texting chances are you're going to get stopped."

Lately officers have been doing safety checks to prevent drivers from choosing to be distracted.

Coporal Crockett says, "Hopefully they start paying it a little bit more attention..check the messages when you get to where you're going and everybody will be a little safer."

Not only are police pushing a message of safety so are some cell phone companies.

Verizon Wireless in Miami is encouraging pledge forms that drivers sign promising not to text behind the wheel.

District Manager David Busse says, "First reaction, people think it's a little bit silly.

We're hoping to bring awareness king of get people thinking about it, talking about it, and ultimately preventing it."

If you're stopped in Miami for distracted driving that's a 109 dollar fine.

It's covered under the inattentive driving statute.