A bill that would ban texting while driving was approved in its first committee Wednesday. But it was only after lawmakers added some exceptions.

This is the fourth year Senator Nancy Detert has sponsored the measure. She says it's embarrassing that Florida is one of just five states with no limits on texting while driving.

The Senate Transportation Committee changed her bill to allow texting while a driver is stopped at red lights or stuck in traffic.Senator Greg Evers said lawmakers must change with the times, as they had when requiring the use of seat belts.

"I just find it hard to believe that so many folks have had to die", Evers said. "And now, I, too, was one that would not support the seat belt. But by education – my son, when he crawls in a vehicle, that's the first thing he does."

Steve Augello traveled from Spring Hill to tell lawmakers they had to do something. His 17-year-old daughter was killed five years ago when a driver who was texting caused a head-on crash.

"It kills. I'm living proof. I have a life sentence. I have to live the rest of my life without my daughter because of someone who was texting and driving", Augello said. "We've got to get this law passed."

The bill faces two more committees in the Senate and three in the House.