In our previous post, we wrote about a couple of legislative proposals to ban drivers from texting on Florida roads.

As everyone knows, texting is one of the most dangerous activities a person can engage in while behind the wheel. There have serious car accidents causing injuries in Clermont, across Central Florida and the nation by distracted drivers too busy with their phones to pay attention to driving.

Both of the bills face high hurdles before becoming law. One bill is stuck in the House Transportation and Highway Safety subcommittee because the chairperson of the committee says the law isn't needed.

Critics of texting bans point to a 2010 Highway Loss Data Institute that said texting laws didn't lower accident rates in states that enacted bans.

They say the bans are counterproductive, forcing texting drivers to make their illicit activities even more perilous by trying to hold their phones lower so that they won't be spotted. That means the drivers' eyes are off the road even longer.

One point those critics might not be taking into account is that cell phone usage continues to surge, especially among the young. Texting bans might not have lowered the accident rates because texting activities are soaring.

Without the bans, the accident rates might well be even higher than they are now.

According to a media source, one in seven drivers admits to sending or reading a text message while driving. Half of all 16- and 17-year-olds admit to the activity while they're behind the wheel.

Those numbers strongly suggest it's worthwhile for lawmakers and the public to take a look at doing more to make driving safer.

Source: tbo.com: "Florida lawmakers consider texting ban for drivers," Feb. 12, 2012