Despite having plenty of options to choose from, Florida lawmakers have yet to reach a conclusion on banning texting behind the wheel. Currently, there are more than 10 plans at various stages in the Florida House and Senate.

One of the most recent bills, introduced this month, would make reading or writing text messages a civil offense and assess a $30 fine to violators. Another bill, entitled "Heather's Law," has been resubmitted several times and seeks a full ban on cell phone use behind the wheel, with the exception of headsets and hands-free devices.

Yet another, introduced to the House as "Allie's Law," would prohibit headsets, headphones and other listening devices that impeded the user's ability to hear.

Needless to say, it can be hard to keep them all straight.

Still, on the bright side, with so many proposals circulating within the Florida Senate and House and the apparent recognition that something must be done, it seems only a matter of time before lawmakers will agree upon a plan to make roads safer. Florida's Governor, Charlie Crist, seems willing to support legislation that restricts mobile devices in the car.

While Florida has no specific data on the prevalence of cell phone use in motor vehicle accidents, the National Safety Council (NSC) recently confirmed that cell phones play a part in more than 25 percent of crashes, nationwide.

That's more than 1.5 million motor vehicle accidents a year.

Miami-Dade, Florida's deadliest county, accounts for nearly 18 percent of the state's motor vehicle accidents. Assuming the NSC averages reflect events in Miami-Dade, more than 10,000 accidents a year could be prevented in the county by installing — and enforcing — cell phone and texting laws.

In addition to establishing restrictions, enforcement is essential for reducing car accidents caused by distracted driving. Many states have passed laws, but restrict the ability of police officers to pull over violators, thereby impeding the effectiveness of the laws.

For example, in Michigan, where lawmakers are closing in on a texting law, the bill in question would only make violations a secondary offense. Police officers cannot stop a driver simply for textings, drivers must be pulled over for another violation, such as speeding, before being ticketed for using a cell phone behind the wheel.

Some of the cell phone bills up for consideration in Florida, such as "Heather's Law," would designate texting as a secondary offense.

While better than nothing, making texting a secondary offense severely restricts the ability of officers to enforce such laws. It also sends a message to drivers, telling them that texting is not a primary concern for lawmakers and, therefore, should not be a primary concern for drivers either.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Distracted driving is quickly usurping drunk driving as the most dangerous activity on the road. Time and again, studies like the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute's study of semi-trucks have shown that texting significantly increases the likelihood of crashing. In this case, the risk of an accident was a shocking 23 times greater when a cell phone was being used.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has made fighting distracted driving a priority and many states are following his lead. In Florida, proponents of regulation are expecting results soon.

Still, with so many options in both the House and Senate, it remains to be seen what that result will be.