A bill that would ban texting while driving is ready for a floor vote in the Florida House of Representatives.
The Economic Affairs Committee, its final committee stop, passed the measure on Wednesday.
Representative Doug Holder, the House sponsor, told a rally of supporters after the vote that texting while driving is 23 times more likely to cause an accident.
"Some say it's only for a brief few moments. Well, on average, it's for five seconds", Holder explained. "In five seconds, when you're driving a car, your car will travel 100 yards."
The only 'no' vote came from Representative Jimmy Patronis, who said he wanted to resist measures that expand government intrusion.
The Senate companion must pass one more committee before it reaches the floor.