It’s partly because such laws generate great publicity, but mostly because some legislators believe they know what’s best for the general public. Like it or not, they are on a crusade to save you from yourself.

What these lawmakers don’t realize is this kind of legislation is nearly impossible to enforce. A driver texting in his car would be doing so outside the view of an officer, making the action difficult to prove unless, of course, the driver’s phone records were subpoenaed. But don’t our law enforcement officials have better things do with their time?

Instead of prohibiting driving while texting, state laws tend to focus on punishing drivers for reckless driving. Here in California, the law calls for punishment of any driver exhibiting “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of person or property.”

Make no mistake; there should be consequences for reckless driving. But, rather than micromanaging citizens by outlawing every possible form of distraction, lawmakers should look at things from a broader point of view.

Drivers who cause accidents need to be held accountable, plain and simple. Instead of giving out $20 tickets for texting, we should focus on current laws that already impose penalties for reckless driving. Let’s keep the government out of people’s cars and allow the appropriate officials, such as law enforcement officers, to focus on keeping drivers safe.

George Runner, a Republican, represents communities in the high desert of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties in the California Senate.