The law is sometimes described as "a crystallization of common sense." And that perfectly describes a proposal called "Caleb's Law" that is now making its way through the state Legislature.

It takes its name from Caleb Sorohan, an 18-year-old Morgan County college student killed in December when he crashed head on into a Toyota Sequoia while he was trying to send a text message on his cell phone while driving.

Similar laws have been passed in Colorado, Louisiana, New York, Virginia and Washington, and nine other states ban text messaging for teen drivers.

The version passed by the Georgia Senate would make it illegal to write, send or read a text message via cell phone while driving and would establish a $150 fine for doing so. The Senate measure would apply to both teens and adult drivers. And any teen charged twice with the offense would be barred from obtaining their Class C driver's license for a year.

A Teens Today survey conducted in 2006 by the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety and Students Against Destructive Decisions found that teens consider texting to be their biggest distraction.

"As legislators we do our best everyday to make decisions that will positively impact the lives of Georgians for years to come," said bill sponsor Sen. Jack Murphy (R-Cumming), who chairs the Senate's Public Safety Committee. "This bill will not only make Georgia road's safer, it will save lives. It is time for us to join with the many states around the country that are taking proactive steps toward making sure that individuals, like Caleb Sorohan, live to see a bright future."

Murphy added that teens are 10 times more likely to have an accident while trying to text and drive than they are trying to drive while drunk.

The measure was unanimously passed by the state Senate on Thursday by a vote of 46-0 - a vote accompanied by considerable applause from the chamber. A similar bill is moving through the House. We would encourage "Caleb's Law" be passed and sent on to the governor for his signature. It's rare that legislators can pass a law that so clearly can make the difference between life and death for those on our roads. After all, it's pure common sense that reading, writing and driving are a bad mix - an accident waiting to happen.