Research now shows that texting while driving is more dangerous than driving with a blood alcohol level of .08.

Many cities have adopted a no-cell-phone policy when driving through school zones. But don’t we all deserve the same protection that even our youngest citizens do?

Most drivers are more than confident when it comes to their ability to multi-task while driving. But this latest trend of texting and talking while driving seems to have become an addiction. Drivers can’t seem to put their phones down, not even for a moment.

It’s called driver distraction, and teens and young adults are the most common culprits.

We need laws to control this dangerous behavior. The biggest drawback to introducing new laws comes with the inability to enforce them. If drivers choose to ignore the laws, they likely won’t get caught until something tragic happens.

It’s a controversial topic, but it really shouldn’t be. Those on the other side of the fence who think a ban would infringe on their personal rights haven’t got a dog in this fight.

Since the beginning of time, mankind has followed laws in some form or fashion, whether they are the biblical laws of the Ten Commandments or the laws enforced by government officials. All are designed to protect us either from ourselves or from others.

The ban of cell phones while driving will save lives, something so precious to every individual that no one could even fathom trading theirs in for the likes of a text message.

Legislators are beginning to sit up and take notice of the startling statistics that are beginning to emerge. Nearly 6,000 people were killed in 2008 in accidents relating to distracted drivers. More than half a million were injured.

In February, the Transportation Department made it illegal for any commercial driver, including truckers and bus drivers, to text and drive.

Expanding the ban is good, but officials haven’t gone nearly far enough. Cell phone use in cars should be banned completely.

In the meantime, be proactive — save a life, it may be your own. Stop texting and talking now.