Text Driving and Road Safety

Do we need a nationwide ban on texting while driving? 

People who argue against it say it takes away from their freedoms and that it's not a matter of being unable to do two things at once, but people making bad choices of WHEN they're doing it and how engrossed they get diverting attention from their driving.  While these are perfectly valid arguments, are they really against because they don't want to lose the convenience of being able to fire off a note to a friend or family member while driving?  Would they think differently if they had a loved one in an accident while texting and driving?

Then there's those pushing for it to be banned.  They say it's not possible for people to be performing these two actions simultaneously without risk to themselves and other drivers/passengers.  But where do we draw the line?  Will eating and driving be against the law next?  Considering most people have to actually look at their phone to text, it's very hard to deny the risk involved with taking your eyes off the road to focus on a completely unrelated task.  Also, the studies aren't looking good showing accidents due to texting and is a big reason why 14 states have already banned it.

The summit being held this month over road safety may be the next step in the push to get text driving banned in all states: http://www.usinsuranceonline.com/news/article/road-safety-prevents-accidents-protects-auto-insurance-rates-19296945

One thing for sure, auto insurance companies want to see it put into law.