TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A father is on a mission to see “hands-free’” driving laws in Florida.

Demetrius Branca is making several stops across the state and pressing legislators to pass a hands-free driving law when they return to Tallahassee in March. 

Branca has been passionate about fighting for stricter laws and stiffer penalties since his son was killed by a distracted driver in 2014. 

On Tuesday, he made spoke at the Pasco County Legislative Delegation meeting.

“I’m a dad from Tallahassee,” Branca said. “I’m on a mission to save lives.”

Branca is ramping up his efforts even more after legislation failed to pass the Senate last year. 

“We had a comprehensive hands-free law,” Branca said.  “A bill that was going through the House. It was assigned to three committees.  It flew through all three with bipartisan, unanimous, unopposed support, but couldn’t get a hearing in the Senate.”

Branca’s son, Anthony, was 19 years old when a distracted driver slammed into his car 10 years ago.

Anthony just wrapped up a shift at work and was on his way to class at Tallahassee State College.

“Anthony was a joy,” Branca said. “He was my best friend. He was everything a parent could hope for. He was kind, funny, smart, hard-working, resilient.”  

Anthony’s resilience left a strong impression on those who knew him, and he loved going on adventures with his father. 

However, Anthony’s light was dimmed exactly one month before his 20th birthday.

At the time of the crash, the state law imposed a six-month license suspension.

“That person who killed Anthony, his consequences were almost nothing,” Branca said. “The current law is a ban on texting, but it doesn’t speak to any other distractions that our phones provide.”

About 30 states have hands-free legislation in place. However, almost all states have a law against texting and driving. 

“A lot of important safety bills do make it through,” Sen. Ed Hooper said. “It’s hard to pass a bill in both chambers and get it ok’d by the governor, but it happens.  I think usually out of several thousands of bills that are filed, about 200 pass every year.”

Branca will continue to rally local and state leaders to support of stronger distracted driving legislation this upcoming session.

He will be meeting with the Pinellas and Hillsborough County delegations this week.