AAA Idaho hopes a survey showing nearly 90 percent of Idahoans in favor of banning texting while driving will boost support for such a law in this year's legislative session.

"What we've discovered and now confirmed is if you get Idahoans in a room and you say, 'Is this worthy of consideration?' Nine out of 10 will say yes," said Dave Carlson, AAA spokesman. "I think it will help our cause."

Eighty-seven percent of Idahoans are in favor of a law prohibiting texting while driving, according to a November survey by Riley Research Associates, which spanned 400 Idaho voters across 41 counties.

In District 1 in North Idaho, 83 percent were in support.

The survey also trotted out similar ideas for regulation that AAA believes might be easier to gain lawmakers' approval, like prohibiting cell phone use among drivers 17 and younger while they're clocking in supervised driving hours to obtain a license.

The survey revealed 85 percent approval for such a law.

"I think legislators might be more apt to say, 'Let's start small and let's start with a group we know is already a high-risk group," Carlson said.

The survey also showed 59 percent support for legislative action prohibiting cell phones for any use while driving. Seventy-nine percent favor enhanced penalties for using electronic devices while driving.

AAA has been involved in the past two failed attempts to create legislation penalizing texting while driving.

The agency is already working with some legislators on a third try, Carlson said, adding that a concept bill will be shopped out this week to test lawmakers' support.

AAA is quietly optimistic, he said, especially with the aid of these new numbers.

"Ninety percent is almost unheard of in most of these issues," he said. "That support is very powerful."

Lake City High School student Caitlyn Pearce said she thinks banning teens from using their phones in cars is much needed.

"There are way too many dumb teenagers who don't know how to use a phone properly," the 17-year-old said.

But she thinks the law should extend to Blue Tooths, too, she said, and include all ages.

"When people get a new gadget like a Blue Tooth, they want to play around with it while they're driving," she said. "But that's not a good time to experiment."

Karson Kautz, 17, saw downsides to outlawing teens from driving while on their phones.

The Coeur d'Alene High School student was pulled over in Spokane when a cop thought he was texting and he was only pushing on his iPod, he said.

"I think it would lead to discrepancies," Kautz said.

He added that regardless of age, drivers won't respond to a ban on texting.

"If people are already used to doing it, they're not going to stop," he said.

Coeur d'Alene resident Cheryl Vignale said she would absolutely support a law outlawing teens from using phones while driving.

"I think everyone should be banned from using their phones in their cars," she said. "It causes accidents. People aren't focused on driving."

State legislators called on Monday could not be reached for comment.

Carlson said it's too early to tell if a ban on texting while driving will be popular this legislative session.

"The issue is not going to go away," he said.