Sending text messages while driving could soon be illegal in Tennessee. Republican senator Jim D. Tracy is sponsoring a bill that would outlaw texting while driving.

If passed, the new law would impose a fine of up to $50 to anyone sending or reading a text message while behind the wheel. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety, however, one could expect a more realistic fine of about $15 if caught.

Tracy said the bill would target younger people more likely to commit the offense.

"It's an unnecessary government regulation," 20-year-old Knoxville resident Justin Trotter said. "You can't just outlaw every single thing that might kill a few people...personal responsibility has to be left to individuals on small matters like this."

Some residents said they believe that small sacrifices should be made for safety.

"Sounds good to me...I don't ever text at all," UT graduate student Chris Kilgore said. "People are too easily distracted while driving as it is."

The anti-texting law already exists in eight states, and other states like New York have hands-free laws that would include no texting.

According to Metro Police Traffic Division Sgt. Jeff Keeter, some state police are concerned that it would be too difficult to discern whether or not a driver is actually texting, or just dialing a phone number.

The Senate Transportation Committee passed the bill 6 to 1 on March 10, after awaiting an attorney general ruling on whether or not the new law would be part of already existing distracted driving law.

The bill is now being debated in the House Finance Committee.