MADISON, Wis. -- The growing popularity of cell phone text messaging is leading to new concerns about drivers being distracted on area roadways.

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Some states are doing something about it, but the state of Wisconsin hasn't outlined a position yet on whether it's a good idea to allow texting while driving.

Typing out a quick note on a cell phone or BlackBerry is a behavior that's becoming increasingly familiar to the tech savvy among us. But some are questioning whether drivers should be allowed to send a message while driving.

Right or wrong, there are many people who admit to doing it and with that in mind, there are some locally who are joining a national trend that seek to put an end to the driving distraction.

While some might think the problem is chiefly one for multi-tasking teenagers, a new survey says that isn't the case. A Nationwide Insurance survey found that more than half of all respondents from all generations admit that they are guilty of driving distractions, like talking on a cell phone or eating in the car. The survey found that 65 percent of Baby Boomers, 80 percent of Generation X members and 78 percent of Generation Y members said they allow themselves to get distracted.

James Madison Memorial High School junior Javaughnte Robinson is fast and furious on his cell phone keys.

"You spend most of the year in class, you got to get it out," he said.

But despite his attachment to his phone, Robinson said that he knows when he shouldn't use it.

"As soon as they start their cars, 'Oh, look! Someone is texting me,' and I'm like, 'Wow, you could get hurt,'" he said.

Robinson discussed distractions, along with others in this Mad Area Driving School Class.

Driving instructor Chad Woodward said that the problem emerged long before text messaging capabilities became commonplace.

"It used to be CB radios," he said. "Then, it was cell phones and now, it's computers and iPods and Palms and things like that."

Ask members of the class if they have seen a driver text in the car and every hand shoots up. Some like Robinson, however, said that they know better.

"What you want to do is keep your eyes on the wheel, make sure you don't hit anybody, but I guess people have other stuff to do," he said.

One local doctor said that he doesn't think people should be texting or talking on the phone behind the wheel. St. Mary's Hospital epidemiologist Dr. William Scheckler said that he feels it's unwise.

"The fundamental problem is the brain cannot be a good driver and a good talker on a cell phone at the same time," he said. "So you certainly can't text message at the same time."

Scheckler has been collecting information for five years about recent crashes, igniting a passion to prevent injuries or deaths. A crash in upstate New York last year where the driver was known to be texting before the collision occurred killed five young women. In another incident, a California train operator was also apparently text messaging just before a commuter rail crash that killed 26.

"You just think it's part of your life, what you are, what you do to communicate, and it becomes almost an addictive behavior. You just have to do it," Scheckler said.

Scheckler said that he believes the behavior becoming second nature is dangerous. He cites a study by the University of Utah that said that texting can be worse than drunken driving.

Now, he's advocating that something has to be done. His goal: "To have a law on the books saying thou shalt not use any kind of cell phone when you're a driver at any age, whether you're a learning driver or not," he said.

Wisconsin law currently prohibits distracted driving, or "being so engaged or occupied as to interfere with the safe driving of that vehicle." An infraction costs $173 and 4 points on a driver's license.

One state lawmaker said that wants to take it one step further.

"Text messaging, five years ago that wasn't an issue at all so it's a new activity," said state Rep. Alan Lasee, R-De Pere. "And I think it's all about education and that we're working on changing laws and highlighting particular action, I think we'll send a message to new drivers"

Lasee said crashes inspired him to propose banning texting while driving, especially after hearing that his 16-year-old granddaughter was doing it.

"I said, 'How do you text message and drive.' She said, 'I drive with my knee.' I thought, 'Well, there's a good plan so we had a long discussion about that,'" he said.

In driving classes like Robinson's, young drivers are also hearing that they need to keep their hands on the wheel instead of the keypad.

Someone will need to call Robinson later to see if he got the message.

"Honestly, if people keep texting me, 'I'm probably going to drive not that far and then stop and text or call or tell them, 'I'm just going to make a voicemail saying, 'Hey, I cant talk right now. I'm driving, leave a message.'"

Lasee's bill passed the state Senate last session, but wasn't taken up in the Assembly. He said that he plans to re-introduce it during the next session and hopes once again for bipartisan support.

Currently, seven states -- Alaska, California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey and Washington as well as the District of Columbia -- have a text messaging ban for all drivers. Minnesota's prohibition is the strictest, barring texting while stopped or at stoplights, WISC-TV reported.

The city of Chicago has also banned texting along with the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.

Some Wisconsin communities aren't waiting for statewide ban either. Just this week, the Kenosha City Council approved an ordinance that would ban texting and driving in that city. Waupaca County officials also voted to block the use of hand-held cell phones in cars, which would include text messaging. That ordinance will allow hands-free sets or Bluetooth attachments.

Law enforcement remains a challenge for each ban. A recent story by the WCCO-TV in Minneapolis found only a handful of law enforcement citations in the two months the state has had a ban, partly because it's hard to prove unless the driver admits to texting.

Some law enforcement officials said that they're also looking for guidance from attorneys as to how to enforce and whether they can seize phones, WISC-TV reported.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.