When is the last time the trusty cell phone left your side?

Being technologically wired has seemingly left this world with no choice but to text while driving.

"It's part of the way we communicate today," said Michele Jackson, associate professor of communication at the University of Colorado. "Many carry on two conversations at once. It's just almost second nature to us.

"People are checking texts all the time -- even while in a face-to-face conversation with someone."

This constant need to be connected has carried over to the car, Jackson said.

"Common sense says, 'Yes, of course, it's dangerous, right?'" Jackson said. "But it happens anyway."

Texting while driving is extremely dangerous, and as of Dec. 1, it will be illegal in Colorado.

"Anytime you take your eyes off the road for two seconds or longer, you're considered a distracted driver," said Wave Dreher, spokeswoman for Colorado AAA. "With the back and forth of texting, a conversation could be a 10-minute distraction during the trip."

The Colorado Senate passed a bill in May banning adults from texting while driving and banning any cell phone use for drivers 18 and under.

Jackson said many use excuses to justify the action by claiming a text "only takes a second."

Trooper David Hall, public information officer for the Colorado State Patrol, said that one second could cause a fatal accident.

"It only takes a fraction of a second," Hall said. "That could cost you your life or the life of another human being. Once you've crossed that line and you cause an accident that kills somebody else, you're going to live with that guilt for the rest of your life."

CU sophomores Elle Roach and Riley Asher recognize that texting while driving is dangerous, but candidly admitted to doing it.

"I hit a snow bank once when I was texting and driving," said Asher, who is from Cleveland, where she said texting while driving within the city limits is illegal.

"I worked downtown and the ban doesn't stop me from texting when I'm going in the city," Asher said.

Roach said making texting while driving illegal is probably smart -- but she doesn't think people will abide by the law.

"I don't think it's going to stop anything," said Roach. "If you see a cop you just drop the phone."

CU's Jackson said the behavior sheds light on communications patterns in general.

"People are under the assumption of 'I have to answer that right away,'" Jackson said. "As opposed to, 'It can wait until I get out of the car.'"